1st Cycle of Chemo-ALMOST DONE!

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone had a relaxing weekend and a delicious thanksgiving, celebrating with friends, family... We had a delicious feast at our friends Rachel and Brian's, celebrating thanksgiving with some of their family. Last weekend, I said goodbye to my older sister, Libby, who was visiting for a week from South Carolina. The timing of Libby's visit was perfect because she was able to join Dan and me, when I was administered my first dose of vincristine, which is the only chemo drug that I don't take orally. We were off to a rocky start when I had a mini borderline panic attack as the nurse was preparing to place my IV (never had a panic attack so I'm not totally sure if this meets the criteria, because I kind of consider myself "cool as a cucumber"). This drug is given after an anti emetic is administered through an IV. Fortunately, I do not need a port, and fortunately, this is given via IV push (like an injection into the IV) rather than hanging an IV bag and sitting for hours while it is infused. The entire dose of the antiemetic and the chemo drug should have taken about 1-2 hours to administer, but my crazy talking to the nurse about possibly vomiting or passing out had the nurse thinking an ativan might calm my nerves. We also tried a meditation app, Headspace. All week I felt great, until about 4 days later when I felt flu-like, muscle and head achy, tooth pain (weird), which were soothed by some tylenol and warm liquids (vegetable soup and hot tea). The nurse and my doc said these were expected side effects. Everyone took great care of me all weekend-I'm lucky to be in such loving hands! My mom is scheduled to visit during my next vincristine dose, and they only happen twice per cycle, about every 3 weeks.

With the exception of that minor vincristine episode, the two other oral chemo drugs haven't been too bad. I have been taking an antiemetic on and off when I take the oral meds, but I've been able to continue with my exercise routine. And my body and brain thank me when I'm working out. I feel alive and strong when I'm exercising, and that does wonders for me!

The meds that I take have kind of an "on and off" schedule. I take one, then have a week rest, then start another on a different cycle, etc... You get the picture. A lot of calendar use and organization. I'm happy to say that after tonight, I'll have a 1 week rest, and then after my vincristine, I'll have a 2 week rest, doing weekly labs, until I start my second cycle, which begins on Dec 19th. My main goal will be to continue to try to avoid the potential nausea, vomiting, and other unfun side effects that come along with these drugs (lots of ginger, seaweed, anti emetics, etc... on hand), continue exercising and eating healthy and resting, keep my white blood cell counts up (not sure how much I have control over that) and not getting sick (high purell consumption by the Zasloff family at the moment). I believe I'll have my next MRI after the 2nd chemo cycle.

I thought the nutritional restrictions were a bit tight, for one of the meds that I'm taking, but we're all getting into a rhythm! For those of you that are helping out, don't feel intimidated. I've found that cheese seems to be the hardest thing. Thanks to our friend, Deb, who has been organizing weekly meal drop offs. For those of you that have signed up, THANK YOU so much! It's been so helpful for all of us!

I've been working from home, which has been really nice, avoiding the office for fears of germs. If I run what i would consider a mild fever of 101, I will be admitted to the hospital, so getting even a low grade cold is not trivial. 

With the holidays coming up and life getting a little busy, I wanted not miss this post to share my gratitude with my friends and family. I am so honored and blessed to have so much love and support and laughter in my life. I am a private person, I don't really do Facebook, and I don't enjoy being the center of attention. I am overwhelmed when I think about the many messages and help, big and small, that you have sent our way-not only for me, but for Dan and the girls. Whether it's right or wrong, I choose not to spend a lot of time on the scariness of all of this, but rather spend my time appreciating the gifts of a loving and amazing family that makes me laugh everyday and friends who give of themselves selflessly when life is so busy already. Thank you. My heart is full. Take some time to relax during this crazy time of the year.

I know we've been kind of under the radar lately and I'm sorry for that, but I do love receiving your texts, emails, calls, check ins, walks, coffee, etc...