Days After the First Chemo Treatment - Finding Intestinal Fortitude

The Week Before Chemo

After my portacath surgery, I had a week to heal before my first chemotherapy treatment.  If recovering from surgery wasn't enough, I had to endure the side effects from the estrogen hormone suppressant shot called "Lupron".   Lupron is administered to hibernate my ovaries and put me into early menopause.  This is because the type of breast cancer I have feeds off of my estrogen.  Theoretically, killing my estrogen means starving and killing the cancer cells.  Lupron also saves my ovaries from chemotherapy so I may have children in approximately 5 years after my cancer treatment is complete.

The funny thing about this situation is that, I always saw myself as a tom boy.  Who knew I was overflowing with estrogen.  Dr. Tucker reaffirmed that I will not be losing my femininity in any way.  I won't be growing hair in strange places or grow muscles like a female bodybuilder on steroids.  

Another funny revelation is, I don't necessarily see myself as how others see me.  I often picture myself as being a loud, obnoxious tough girl with an annoying giggle.  I feel like a roaring tiger..."ROOOAAARRR"...

Unfortunately, my family and friends see me as a little kitty.  They hear my "ROOAARRR" as "Mew Mew Mew".  They say I'm very girly and feminine.  Hmmm.  No wonder this cancer grew from my overflowing estrogen level. 

The side effects I experience from Lupron are periodic hot flashes, swelling on my extremities, bloating and water retention.  Before the shot, I weighed in at 135 lbs.  Five days after the shot, my belly swelled like I was three months pregnant.  I weighed in at 147 lbs - gaining 12 lbs of water.  I swear its water because my belly, extremities and face swelled like a water balloon.

First Chemo Treatment

I know I previously blogged about my First Chemo Treatment Experience.  However, I now have photos from that day.

Pete and I - Just got connected to Benadryl

 Pete and my mother attended my first chemotherapy session.  The whole procedure took 5 hours long.  I sat on a comfortable recliner and Nurse Marie plugged my IV into my portacath and filled me up with saline and Benadryl.

As you can see, I was awake momentarily for the photo op with Pete. This was before the Benadryl wiped me out.

Mom and I - Benadryl in effect. I barely kept my eyes open

Mom and I - Benadryl knocked me out!

My mother attempted to take a photo with me while I was getting my Benadryl injection.  I barely kept my eyes open.  As you can see, I wasn't too successful at staying awake.  

And then, ZZZZZzzzzzz.  Benadryl hit me so hard.  I was knocked out cold within 5 seconds. LOL. This is the photo my mom got of me at my first chemo. 

About an hour later, I woke up from my nap and I attempted to do some work.  To my clients - I swear, I do try to work while I'm coherent. 

Attempting to work

Here I am trying to do some work.  I don't remember what I was working on.  I swear I wasn't playing Candy Crush!!!  Maybe I was checking Facebook....

Finding Intestinal Fortitude After Chemo

Receiving the chemotherapy injection was the easy part.  The challenging task was to endure the side effects of this potent cell killing drug and the immune boosting Neulasta shot.  This Neulasta shot also gave horrible side effects.  I couldn't distinguish between the painful side effects or an incoming infection.

The first 7 days after chemotherapy was indescribably painful and miserable.  I have to agree with other cancer patients and admit, going through chemotherapy isn't for the faint of heart.  I didn't feel very good the first few days.  My stomach burned and I couldn't eat anything accept bland food.  The smell of certain food made me nauseous.  Luckily, I was heavily equipped with anti-nausea pills so I never vomited, however, I did experience frequent diarrhea. 

The pain from Chemo/Neulasta can be described as a wave of constant sharp and throbbing ache from the joints and bone.  It just keeps throbbing throughout the day and night.  Pain medicine only masks the pain a little but it doesn't completely erase it.  My body ballooned with water retention.  My face, neck, and back swelled and ached so much that I went to Lexington Urgent Care in Chapin on Sunday.  We initially thought I was coming down with an infection.  However, after several tests and blood drawls, my white blood cell count was extremely high and I was simply suffering from the side effects of Neulasta.  I went home feeling sheepish.

To summarize the first week - I had good days and bad.  The first five days, I sat with a brain fog with constant ache.  I ate nothing but bland food.  I didn't feel like doing anything.

Second Week after Chemo

My health improved significantly after day 10.  I weaned myself off of pain meds and started to eat relatively normal again.  My body couldn't handle raw vegetables or spicy dishes.  However, I ate pretty much everything.  I would get fatigue easily and need to rest at home.  Slowly but surely, I feel more like myself.  I had my blood drawn today and again my white blood cell count was extremely high.  They said I'm really healthy and overall, I'm doing very well.  For my next chemotherapy treatment, we will not administer the Neulasta shot and see how I do with my immune system.

God prepared me very well for this journey.  Just a few months ago, I ran a 10K with my Run for God group.  He knew I would be able to handle this journey with my strong mind and body.  I have faith and trust in God that this cancer experience draws me closer to Him more than ever.  

Today 23 Aug 13 - 2nd Lupron Shot 

I received my second Lupron shot today.  I am already swelling like a balloon again!

Waiting for Nurse Teresa

 After since my diagnosis, I spend a lot of time at the Lexington Medical Campus.  All I do is wait around for my turn to be seen.  This morning, I spent my time in Oncology, getting my lab work done and meeting with Nurse Teresa and Stephanie.  Stephanie gave me my monthly Lupron shot in my butt.

I tried really hard to stay relaxed and not tense my butt cheeks while I waited for the shot.  Stephanie would count to three and I would let out a quick yelp.  I can feel the stick...it stings!  Afterwards, I would rub my butt pain away.  LOL.

My sister, Kyoung and I waiting together

Visit from Belinda Forrest

My good friend, Belinda Forrest, came by to visit me at my humble home.  What a wonderful surprise! We shared dinner and good laugh together.  She also shared with me the verse that spoke to her heart.  She said everywhere she turned, she saw Jeremiah 29:11-13 and thought of me.  Thank you Belinda for sharing this with me.  

Belinda and I

Jeremiah 29:11-13

New International Version (NIV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.