FAQ's by Sheri

I thought I would answer some questions that I have gotten from several people about my treatment and side effects, etc. I don't mind talking about any of it so if you have more questions, just let me know.

What is your chemo treatment like when you go to the clinic?

Every other Monday is my chemo day. I go to the clinic they take my weight, blood pressure, and temperature. Then they access my port (poking a needle into my port which is just to the side of my armpit) and they draw some blood. I then go meet with the doctor to ask any and all questions I have and for him to make sure my blood count is high enough to have treatment and make sure I am still doing ok. My doctor is so nice and will sit there and let me ask question after question until I can't think of any. Finally when I run out of questions, I go back to the 'treatment room' and they start up the IV. I get a bag of anti-nausea medication, then 4 different chemo's. This whole process from when I walk in the door to when I walk out takes just over 3 hours. The 'treatment room' is just like it sounds, a big room where everyone gets their chemo. They have about 15 recliners set up and a big nurses station and you pick a recliner and they hook you up. It's a big chemo party. Some people sleep, some bring portable DVD players and some have people there with them to sit and talk to. That is what I have usually done, brought someone with me to provide entertainment, it helps pass the time and it's fun to have someone there to support you. Some people are there all day and others are in and out. I found most people that are there when I get there, are still there when I leave, sad. By the time I get home I have about an hour before I start feeling sick. Although that time seems to be getting shorter at each treatment.

What side effects do you get and how bad are they?

It's easiest to just write out my schedule since after 3 treatments, my side effects have started and stopped at almost the exact same time. At least I know what to expect now! Although the day of chemo now seems less and less desirable because I know what's coming!

Monday - By the night of my treatment, I am feeling nauseous. I don't feel hungry one bit but I have learned that if I eat a little bit it helps me feel better. So I do a lot of snacking the rest of the day. I have anti-nausea medication but have only had to take it once. The nausea seems pretty manageable, nothing great but could be a lot worse! Last treatment I didn't sleep Monday night (which they say is normal) so for the next treatment I will be taking an anti-nausea pill which will make me drowsy and help me sleep.

Tuesday – I still feel nauseous throughout the entire day and continue to snack and eat little meals. Tuesday morning I get my Neulasta shot which helps my white blood cell count stay high enough to continue treatment. The side effect of this shot is achiness. So by Tuesday night I feel VERY achy, like every bone in my body hurts to touch. Top that achiness and nausea with being really tired and it's not a fun Tuesday night for me.

Wednesday – Still pretty tired, the nausea is gone today...yeah. The achiness is gone, but I still feel really stiff and sore from the Neulasta. By Wednesday night I think I might survive and then the mouth sores hit. The mouth sores have decreased in severity with each treatment and the doctor thinks that my body might just adjust to it and I won't get mouth sores every single time. This would be the one side effect I would LOVE to get rid of.

Thursday – Mouth sores are still there but the achiness/soreness from Neulasta is mostly gone.

Saturday – The mouth sores are mostly better

Sunday – My lower back starts to ache. The doctor says this is from my bone marrow re-building. This lasts until Tuesday-ish. The rest of that week I am feeling pretty good and just have to stay healthy. My fatigue seems to come and go throughout the 2 weeks and I just have to watch myself that I don't overdo it and get rest. Sometimes I don't realize it until it's too late and I am so tired I can barely function. It's all a learning process still.

How is your hair? and...when do we get to see your cute wig?

Most of you know that I have REALLY thick hair. So thick in fact that when I used to get it cut, my hair dresser thins it for me (my favorite part of getting it cut!) So when I started losing my hair, although traumatic, wasn't too bad because I had a lot to lose. It slowed down for a little bit and has recently started falling out more. I still have my hair but the time will come in the near future when I will have to shave it. For now, I have enjoyed knowing what it feels like to have naturally thin hair.

When my hair comes out, although I am trying to prepare myself, it will still be a very hard day. I have a cute wig and lots of bandanas and we'll just have to wait and see how often I wear what. I don't picture myself wearing my wig everyday but will be nice to have from time to time. Don't worry, I'll have Brigitte post some pictures when it happens, so you can all be part of it!

Sorry for the long post, but there you have an update on life with Chemo.

Any other questions you've been wondering about?