Chemo Day Seven

It's been a long day but a good day.  Forgive me if I'm weird - I'm in a drug bubble floating around the house.  This might be more of a "data dump" or bullet point post as sentences are tricky right now.

Onco Meeting

My blood counts were stable and that was my secret worry.  If they had not been, I would have been denied treatment.  I wouldn't have been able to leave for Jamaica due to needing an infusion next week.  Might have still made it but I would have had to change flights and the juggling would have been stressful.  There would have been lots of tears. My relief was palpable when the NP checked my results. (AND, I got the awesome Port Access Nurse and she deserves awards.  I didn't feel a thing as she set up my port for the day.)

Meeting with oncology was good.  Have a list of things to bring to Jamaica.  Have been given yet another medicine to try to combat the burning-on-the-inside feeling.  I'll be taking Gabapentin - used for seizures, it is also used for neuropathy and calms the nervous system.  I start taking that tonight and the main side effect is fatigue so just throw that right on top of my normal fatigue.  Speaking of which, I also asked 'why so much fatigue?' and she explained that the chemo is killing any remaining cancer cells while also killing lots of healthy cells.  My body spends all of its energy to rebuild healthy cells. Daily naps it is!

The cyst should be okay.  Warm compresses and bra shopping over the next 2 days as I only have ONE bra that is a racer back.  Dermatologist on Friday.  The NP told my husband that he would have to carry all the bags while we travel. 😎

We also reconfirmed that my treatment plan is super aggressive in relation to my tumor.  I felt better and the NP asked me to please stop looking at google searches of HER2+ cancer. 

I booked my first HP infusion for January 2.  That will be the first post final chemo (PFC) infusion, and I will receive those every 3 weeks through October 2025.  I also booked a consult with the radiation oncologist for 12/11 to discuss the plan for that.  Felt AWESOME making plans for the next steps PFC.

I can get a manicure, pedicure, and dentist appointment 6 weeks PFC.  Woohoo!  I have a botox appointment in February too. 👏 

Infusion Treatment

Finally of to treatment!  Sadly, I was not in my favorite infusion room. I arrive at Room 23 and close the shades immediately.  Try to make the room as cavelike as possible.  Bathroom is shared down the hall.  Whatever.  For the long treatment days, that private bathroom is gold.

Did not get favorite Infusion Nurse!  New nurse was awesome though - she immediately fell into our groove and it was good.  She's allowed in the future.  (As if I have any say.) My favorite infusion nurse did stop by twice to chat and catch up.  Love her.

Cold Capping Goddess arrived (with London Fog Latte - thank you!) and off we went to commandeer the hall bathroom.  After a little hair loss and spraying the heck out of my head, we capped and back we went.

Here is where things were different - settle in for a story.  The new Infusion nurse (IN2) was chatting with us while hooking me up to the cooling machine and then infusing my premeds.  I was busy setting up the timer on my phone and putting in my ear buds.  I think IN2 made some comment that CCG would have to sing to me as I was having trouble putting the ear buds in under the tight cap.  I said the last time she sang to me was on a flight home from Paris.  We launched into the story of how, on the day we were flying home after a birthday celebration week, CCG and I had salmonella poisoning and our poor friend, the Birthday Girl (BG), had to herd us from garbage pail to garbage pail to garbage pail as we threw up across Charles De Gaulle, pry us off the floor of the airport bathroom (yes, my cheek was on the floor), and yelled at us when it was time to board that we needed to 'act normal!'.  Once on the plane, we were seated 3 across, CCG in window, me in middle and BG in aisle seat.  Upon takeoff, I had to grab the vomit bag and use it.  CCG, as to avoid the same fate, loudly sang 'Yankee Doodle Dandy' and held her ears as to not hear me retch, rocking in the window seat. BG pretended she didn't know us. Not our best moment.  

So, after much laughter and laughing tears as we recounted the story, we looked at the timer and 15 minutes had passed!  I talked and laughed through the whole thing!  It was crazy. High 5s all around.  I couldn't believe that it went so smoothly!  

CCG hung out for a little, made some plans for outings, and then took off when my husband returned from walking the dog.  Thank you!  I settled in with the NY Times crossword puzzle and then my long day lunch friend (LDLF) showed up with Tatte, relieving my husband to head to go home and walk the dog again.  I ate and then we online shopped for racer back bras, spending way too much money on overnight shipping.  By the time my husband was due to come back, I was almost done and so LDLF was able to bring me home.  Thanks for lunch and the ride LDLF! I was super tired and wobbly after the day, and had a solid afternoon nap.

That's the day, in way too much detail.  Thanks for reading if you got to this point.  Let's see how this new drug works. (Please let it work, please let it work.) xo J