Lovin’ the Taxol

Written Sep 4, 2011 10:06pm

I was able to do chemo again on Friday. My wbc count had increased from the previous week, probably due to a couple of shots I had during the week to help stimulate my wbc count. I was glad we did that so that I could continue chemo. I will get one shot of Neupogen this week, and see how that goes. If my wbc count continues to be good, I will not get a shot the following week. This is the first time I have done two weeks in a row of chemo since I started on the Taxol/Herceptin regimen. I also had Zomata, which is a bone strengthening drug that I take during chemo once every month. This helps for cancer that has spread to the bone.

I am still feeling good overall. I am a little more tired, but not much. I also had a mugascan this week. This tests my heart strength since chemo is very hard on the heart. The results are given in a percentage. 50% or above is normal. Mine was 64% at the very beginning of chemo. Now it is at 50.5%. It is still within normal range, but has obviously decreased a lot.

The doctor feels like this was probably from this summer when I got so sick from the Adriamycin (the “Red Devil”), rather than from the Taxol that I am currently on. But we will do another scan in 3 weeks to see if there is any change. If it gets below 50% I may not be able to continue chemo. At least my heart strength can increase through exercise after I’m done with chemo, so it should hopefully not be permanently weakened.

I am happy that I am continuing chemo now. I know that it will work well, like it has in the past. I have enjoyed feeling peppy for a while now, and it has done wonders to lift my spirits. I know that if I continue with chemo, this tired feeling that is setting in will probably increase a bit. But I will know that I am getting closer to being done with chemo, and that is a good feeling.

I have been very active this week, and have even exercised a time or two. I want to do that more now that my little ones are going to start preschool this week. I think that running/walking helps me to have more energy and feel better overall.

Lately I feel like I have been so excited for all the fun things that I can do when I am feeling well. I have been making the most of each day and really enjoying it. There are so many fun things to do that I want to have energy for them all!! I love playing with my kids, exercising, practicing the piano, reading, writing, talking with friends, and I have even started making some Christmas gifts this past week. I just want to do stuff while I am feeling well! I think that even after I am better and done with treatment I will appreciate my life and all that I can do with it more than I ever have before.

I have also been feeling very grateful for a wonderful husband, good friends and family who continue to give me a lot of support and love through all of this, wonderful children, a nice house and neighborhood to live in, and the comfort of knowing that my Heavenly Father loves me and is looking out for me and my family. I know that He lives and I have seen His hand in my life many times. I know that He loves each one of His children.