Chemo Cocktail - Toxol

Chemo drugs are used in combinations as each drug attacks cancer cells differently.  (You'll hear this combination of drugs called a cocktail.) The doctors determine which drugs to try based on your weight, kind of cancer, stage of the cancer (how far it has spread).  My first four chemo treatments were one cocktail and now the treatment I had today and the next four treatments are a new cocktail. 

My new cocktail takes longer - we were there for 5 1/2 hours today.  So far I'm not nauseated or tired like I was with the first cocktail.  In fact I'm quite munchies and antsy.  I'm hoping that this continues tomorrow and isn't short-lived.  The doctor did tell me to watch for neuropathy (pain, numbness, tingling in feet and hands) and extra dry painful skin and fingernails.  I'm trying to prevent both of these side effects the best I can.

The main new drug is called Taxol.  People are often allergic to it, so included in the new cocktail are other drugs that help me not have an allergic reaction to Toxol.  In fact the cocktail is made up of 5 different medications (a steroid for inflammation, Benadryl for allergic reactions, anti-nausea meds, etc.)

The following Taxol side effects are common (occurring in greater than 30%) for patients taking Taxol:

• Low blood counts.  Your white and red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease.  This can put you at increased risk for infection, anemia and/or bleeding.
• Hair loss (Doc says I'll lose all my eyelashes and eyebrows)       
• Arthralgias and myalgias, pain in the joints and muscles. Usually temporary occurring 2 to 3 days after Taxol, and resolve within a few days.  
• Peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling of the hands and feet)
• Nausea and vomiting (usually mild)
• Diarrhea
• Mouth sores
• Hypersensitivity reaction - fever, facial flushing, chills, shortness of breath, or hives after Taxol is given.  The majority of these reactions occur within the first 10 minutes of an infusion.  Notify your healthcare provider immediately (premedication regimen has significantly decreased the incidence of this reaction). 

The following are less common side effects (occurring in 10-29%) for patients receiving Taxol:

• Swelling of the feet or ankles (edema).
• Increases in blood tests measuring liver function.  These return to normal once treatment is discontinued. (see liver problems).
• Low blood pressure (occurring during the first 3 hours of infusion).
• Darkening of the skin where previous radiation treatment has been given (radiation recall - see skin reactions).
• Nail changes (discoloration of nail beds - rare) (see skin reactions).

I'm Unique!

One evening several weeks back I had Cliff shave my head.

He said "You've got a strange shaped head, Kimberly."

I said "Thank you."

He said "Not that that's bad... you're unique."

Christensen Campout

We went to the Christensen Family Campout this past weekend.  They surprised me with lots of PINK!

It was also my first time out and about without my wig.  Way more comfortable with my beanie.

Last AC Chemo Treatment

Good riddance to the "AC" chemo combination.  I had four "AC" treatments.  Now I'm on to "T" treatment and a whole new set of side effects.

Half way through chemo treatments. 
Love this blanket that Ann, Evelyn, Elaine and Janet made for me. 
I take it to chemo and sleep with it every night.

Two Quick Trips

After my last chemo treatment and subsequent mega sleeping/nausea session we went on a little trip to Kaysville for Brittney's soccer tournament.  I did surprisingly well!  We ate out a ton and I thoroughly enjoyed what little I ate.  I had some nausea while brushing my teeth or if I didn't eat soon enough, but over all it was a fun trip.

We also went to Richfield for Britt to run at the District Hershey Track Meet.  It was up and back in one day.  Again, I did great.  Britt got first in the 4 x 100 relay and second in the 200.  We ate yummy Chinese food, too.  Fun trip.  Little things like being able to go watch Britt play sports makes me feel so great!  So thankful for the good days.



Irene thought some Ben & Jerry's would be beneficial.  I wholeheartedly agreed.



The Salt Lake Real mascot, Leo, with Cliff and me at Britt's soccer game.

 

 



Weight Loss

Most people say I look great... and to be honest, I quite like being thinner than I've been in years.  I've lost 28 pounds since December!  I don't really want to lose any more, so hopefully I can maintain where I am and still feel good.  My doctors all say I'm okay where I'm at, but they don't necessarily want me to lose any more.  Dr. Andruss weighed me and took a measure of my body fat today and she said I'm fine and not to let anyone make me feel too thin.  She also gives me a double shot of B-12, which gives me lots of energy.  She said everything is perfect and I should feel healthy and happy to be where I'm at.  That was good to hear.

I've been having fun buying new brighter clothes and its definitely a good feeling to go in a store and have almost anything fit. 

Pumpin' Up

I got some more saline put in my skin expander today.  I was worried that it would hurt, but it didn't.  Apparently I'm completely numb on that side or at least where the needle went in.  I didn't feel a thing.  Now that the additional fluid is inside I can feel a tightness, but not unbearable by any means.  So glad!  It's pretty cool how Dr. Chase finds where to put the saline in.  There is a metal ring under the skin and he uses a magnet to find it and that tells him where to put the needle.  Once the needle was in, he pulled a little blue water out, which told him he was in the right spot.  I plan to watch next time.  I didn't this time, because I was worried I might get sick. 

Sleep is My Friend

I've never been much of a sleeper.  Anything more than 7 or 8 hours is all I can take.  I haven't set an alarm clock in years.  Naps normally haven't worked for me.  All that has changed lately.  After chemo treatments I can sleep for days.  The medicine just plain knocks me out. Last chemo I decided to take the medication because the nausea the time before was so horrible.  The medication put me asleep from Tuesday night through Friday morning!  I've also been able to nap most days since.  I've actually enjoyed it and tell myself that it must be a good thing.