Monday's Chemo

I would like to report that monday's chemo was uneventful but I'm sorry to say I cannot. No, Ginger didn't cause a scene (although that could have happened). Everything started out fine. I was in my chemo chair - large recliner in a room of 6 others with morning television blasting in the background. The iv nurse gave me my premedication which includes steroids, anti nausea medication and lots of other goodies. It was also supposed to include benadryl (I guess the doc didn't order it). Premeds went fine. Then the big stuff - Taxotere, the first of the chemo drugs. 8 to 9 % of people are allergic to this drug, me being one of them. It's too bad I or the doc didn't know that before I got the infusion. Drip, drip, drip, then Oh My God, Oh My God, Oh MY God!!!! The allergic reaction started. My chest got tight, my throat started to close up, I couldn't breath, I was sweating and my heart was racing (yes, I thought my defibrillator was going to go off). Ginger called to them immediately and they were on me in two seconds. They stopped the drip and adminstered the bendryl and oxygen and I was saved. Hooray, I was saved!!! I was soooo glad that Mom had left to check on Dad and Ginger was there. What an experience! After I was chock full of benadryl and a rested they started the drip again, very slowly and no reaction. Then it was on to the cytoxin. No problem with that drug. No reaction just plain boring! I was sent home in a benadryl coma and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing. The next day I woke up with a bright sunburn that was brought on by the steroids. I was nice and rosy for the day! No need for me to go suntanning when you got steroids burning up inside you! That has gone away and now I'm waiting for the other side effects. For those of you who are curious, check in in a couple of days and I'll fill you in. I promise I won't be too graphic! Talk to ya soon! Love, Susan

Chemo Tomorrow

Hi All,
I don't know if you'all (am I suddenly from the south?) know that I will be starting chemotherapy tomorrow April 27th. My surgery went well, but after the intial pathology report came out another test was performed on one my lymph nodes. This test revealed a micrometastis - this is a very small amount of cancer. What it means is that the cancer was starting to move into my lymph nodes and that chemotherapy is necessary. I was disappointed but relieved at the same time. I don't want any of those buggers to be left floating around my body. I want 'em all dead!!! So, tomorrow it is. Mom will be taking me there and Ginger will be keeping me company. Let's just hope they don't ask us to leave! For those of you who know Ginger, when we're together we can be a little "loud". I got my wig ready - Simone and I had a fun time picking it out and although it doesn't look exactly like my real hair, it's pretty nice. I'll take pictures so you can all see how lovely I'm going to look :). Talk to you all soon.

xoxo Susan