#5 - Eviction Day

To quote Kathy Krause, THE cancer got it's eviction notice today, to start packing! I do have to admit, I was equally excited to get started with my chemo today and somewhat scared. More excited than scared. My oncologist, Dr. Barfe met with me to start and her confidence along with her genuine caring is VERY assuring! I think she is young enough to be my daughter. Before med school, she was classically trained in ballet. I am quite sure she is an off the chart over-achiever. To say she inspires confidence would be a BIG understatement. Then, off to the "chemo cocktail" room. I think I was most nervous about "punching" through my newly installed port for the blood work and then the chemo drip. It was NOT too bad. They iced the area, and to than my friend Nancy Wojo for my next visit, I got a prescription for Lidocaine, which will make it MUCH easier next time. So, for the next three hours, the chemo FLOWED! One of my BFF (Penny Gardiner) was also with me, and we talked, laughed, played some scrabble (she LET me beat), etc. Yes, I wore my new UGGS (chemo boots)! I felt a bit flushed at times, but over-all - NO problem-o! I felt AWESOME after the session and still feel pretty "DARN" good. I may feel some nausea in the next few days, and then I will reach my "nadir" in about ten days, where my wbc (white blood count) will reach a VERY low threshold. This may cause some fatigue AND I cannot get SICK! I need to be a "nazi" about washing my hands and NOT being around anyone who has a sniffle of any kind. The chemo I am taking: Docetaxel (Taxotere), Traxtuzumab (Herceptin), Carboplatin (Paraplatin). If you rate these drugs from 1 to 10 (1 being mild), they are about in the middle. I WILL definately lose ALL of hair (in about one week). I am scheduled for 5 more sessions, to make a total of 6 sessions over 18 weeks. I will go in every 3 weeks. It's weird to say - but I feel REALLY good about having the chemo in my body. I have a couple of images, one is so goofy. Like Ms. Pacman, gobbling up all the "bad things" and the other one is (equally goofy), but the Knights of the Roundtable, conquering the chemo! The drugs must be already altering my thought process! I have NOT got the nerve to ask Dr. Barfe about medical marijuana, yet .... (just kidding!)

One of my other BFF, Janice gave me and some of our best girlfriends a candle to light. She suggested we light them on my chemo day, to unite against the evil cancer and my victory! Janice - I came home and lit my candle!! I shared the story with my Mom, and she lit a candle as well for me. My Mom and brother have some very strong prayers that they are sending to me. My Mom is very spiritual and has such an unshakeable belief in prayer. I LOVE her so much. She is a breast cancer survivor, and I remember being SO proud of her when I walked down the treatment and recovery road with her. I never in a million years, thought I would follow this same road. but seeing her courage is what I believe is helping me. Each ONE Of you, with your cards, books, flowers / SUNFLOWERS!, my new PINK pillow, photographs, sharing your day to day life with me, going to my doctor appointments with me, sharing your experiences/resources with me, teaching me how to breathe/meditate, living vicariously through your day/ski trips photos, sharing recipies, hat parties, comedy clubs - Most of all, just your quick emails and blogs to let me know what YOU are doing, means the world to me!

Right now at this moment in time, I feel GOOD and CONFIDENT that I will win this battle! I may have my head in the Curious George bucket tomorrow morning, with nausea - but that will be ok. That means the chemo is WORKING!

Goodnight, and LOVE LOVE LOVE you all!