Spring, Chemo, and Oil Changes

I know you are thinking, what does Spring, Chemo, and oil changes have to do with each other? Keep reading, you'll find out.

So yesterday it was 80 degrees here. I was loving it. I logged onto my blog and was instantly depressed. It looked so wintery. So I changed my template. I like it much better and it's more fun to look at. Of course now as I write this, it's in the 40's and raining/snowing. Ugh...when will it be summer???

So, I know I never posted about my last treatment, sorry. There wasn't much to report. Things pretty much were a repeat.

I had #4, so I am now 1/3 of the way done! That made me happy. Then today I went and had my oil changed. Now a random habit I have is everytime I get my oil changed I look at the date of my next oil change (3 months) and think 'what will be going on when I have to get my oil changed again?' Last time, I was so excited because I was engaged and I remember thinking, next time I get my oil changed I will be married. I was so excited I called Shane to tell him and I am pretty sure he realized then (if not before) that I was crazy! This time I looked at the date and thought 'next time I get my oil changed I will STILL be getting chemo.' That was depressing. But then I realized that date will be chemo 11 of 12, so I will be sooo close to being done. All in all it's not really that bad but I just wish it was over with already.

So here's to spring and my next oil change!

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?

The good news is...

...Sheri is one-quarter of the way done with her treatments!!

As you may recall, Sheri is scheduled to have 12 Chemotherapy treatments. Seriously, how fast did the first quarter go for all of you? One. Check. Two. Check-check. Three. Check-check-check! That's right baby...Sheri is now in the single digits.

Okay, perhaps this is all flying by a bit faster for those of us NOT having to deal with actually having cancer. Although it's not really flying by for Sheri, she is happy to see three treatments checked off the list.

The side-effects are still present -- darn the darn! Fatigue? Yes. Nausea? Yes. Mouth-sores? Yes. Back pain? Yes. Bone pain? Yes. But, all of these mean the medicine is working, so Sheri deals with it. And, if I do say so myself, she deals with it better than one can imagine!

#1 To Do List Item: Be grateful that she was blessed with so much GOOLD hair! Even though chemotherapy is causing it to fall out, she still has more hair than the average girl!! Who knows, perhaps a wig will never be needed... =)

#2

Sheri had her second round of chemo yesterday (Monday.) Her white-blood cell count was up (thanks for everyone's prayers), and the treatment went well. Yeah -- two down -- 10 to go!!

Today she went to get a Neulasta shot http://www.neulasta.com/, which helps to boost white blood cells (the little suckers that fight for what's right! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_blood_cell), so that she will, HOPEFULLY, not have to miss a scheduled chemo treatment again!

If you click on the Neulasta link and then go to "Important Product Safety Information" you can read about the side-effects. One of the side-effects is bone pain, and tonight Sheri is dealing with that. No fun!! But, on the positive side, the shot is supposed to reduce the chances that she will get those darn mouth sores again. She said that she'll take the bone pain over the mouth sores at this point. If she wakes up in the morning with bone pain AND mouth sores -- believe me, she will NOT be very happy!! So, lets all hope that the shot does its trick.

If you are reading this, and haven't read the posting with the link to Sheri's wedding pics make sure you scroll down and check it out. GREAT PICS!!!

Our Perfect Wedding Day!

Sheri here!! I just wanted to let everyone know that our wedding pictures have been posted online if you would like to take a look at them.

http://simplybeautiful.instaproofs.com/collection.php?event=44318

There are 3 categories when you click on the link, one for the temple, one for the reception, and then one for the reception details (centerpieces, cake, flowers, etc.)

Amanda Abel, our photographer, did a great job and I love all the pictures. Her website is: http://www.simplybeautifulphoto.com/

Our wedding day was so amazing. I can only describe it as the perfect day. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. There were no major disasters, the weather cooperated, and I felt great and on cloud 9 all day. Thank you to everyone for making our wedding day amazing!

We had a great time in Orlando. The weather was even better there and all the theme parks were not crowded so we walked onto most rides. Take note, February is the time to go if you want good weather and no crowds! Here are a few pictures.

Sometimes a HALF is just as good as the WHOLE!

Especially when it comes to Birthdays! HAPPY HALF-BIRTHDAY (yesterday) Sheri!!

Why only celebrate things once, when you can celebrate them twice!? And, considering all that Sheri is going through with stupid, dumb, evil, nasty (insert descriptive word of choice) Cancer Schmancer, at least there will be little things, and some BIG things (...like 34 1/2...) to celebrate along the way.

Party like it's 2008...BECAUSE IT IS!

Wasted numbing cream...

Yesterday was Sheri's appointment for her 2nd session of Chemo. With her numbing cream slathered over her port, in preparation for her treatment, the nurse poked an IV-ish looking devise into Sheri's port as though he was pushing a thumbtack into a corkboard. Sheri says she didn't feel a thing...thank goodness for numbing cream.

...Side note: I (Brigitte) went with Sheri for her treatment. I was so excited to be there to provide some conversation and entertainment -- but, I have to admit that as soon as the nurse did the poking thing I got pretty lightheaded and didn't feel like I could provide much support. I'm not sure I'll be invited back for future Chemo treatments.

After drawing a couple viles of blood, Sheri waited to meet with the doctor. The wait seemed a little long...and then, finally, a doctor came in. He started off with something along the lines of, "This isn't unusual..." and then proceeded to inform Sheri that her white blood cells are only in the 200s! They need to be in the 600s in order to get treatment. BUG-O-LA!!

So, long story short, the much-anticipated (or something like that) 2nd session of Chemotherapy will not take place until NEXT Monday! Pray for white blood cells and for all sick people to steer-clear of Sheri!

The good news is: Sheri and Shane had a GREAT time on their honeymoon, and now they have another week before Sheri will be sick and tired (darn side-effects of Chemo) from her next treatment. See! There's always a sunny-side to every situation!