Saturday, June 26, 2010

Chemotherapy Update

This is my second week on paclitaxel chemotherapy.  It is a single agent chemo, and as a result I am done with chemo in about two hours rather than the 6 hours it took with the 3 rounds of  cisplatin/alimta mix that I had back in late 2009.

I have to say that this week went far better than my first week.  No nausea or other neuropathy as far as I could detect.  I have to remember to eat, but food does not taste bad to me.  Fatigue remains, however, I was able to work from Tues-Friday.  

This was the week my hair was supposed to fall out.  I have the wig ready, and my friend, Jane, is knitting a lightweight cap to wear underneath to protect my bald pate.  Only my hair has not fallen out, yet (knock on wood).  It's gotten more fine and flyaway but it's not coming out in clumps like it did when I was on Tarceva.  So, we remain on alert at hair central here, with Odette agreeing to come and shave me when and if the moult occurs.  It's a peculiar halfway place to be in, but that's emblematic of my current situation anyway.

Third round of chemo is this Monday, and then I get a week off before starting another 3 weeks.  Many thanks to my friends Jennifer, Andrea, Peggy, and Renee who have come by this week to walk my dogs.  That has taken a load off my mind. 

3 comments:

Dan Matyola said...

I'm glad to hear that the week went a bit better than expected, and that, so far at least, you hair is mostly still there.

Hang in and keep fighting. We are all thinking of you and praying for your recovery.

Dan

moe99 said...

I looked at a photo of Elizabeth Edwards today, because unfortunately her story is back in the news, and I thought to myself, I have Elizabeth Edwards' hair. Hers and mine may stay in but you can see the effect that chemo has had upon hers--very similar here.

Dan Matyola said...

Hey, any time you think your life sucks, you can be glad you are not in her shoes.