Way Past Our Curfew - 16 Hour Day - March 25, 2010

Well, my 4th chemo was a very long day. It started at 7:15 am arriving at MD Anderson and not leaving until 11:20 pm. Wednesday was a hard day for me also. It started by taking my pre-drugs I took my first dose of meds at 6 am and didn't finish until midnight. The first part of the day made me very tired, which was hard because I was working. The last dose was reverse and I couldn't sleep with having restless legs.

We arrived at the infusion center early to get my IV started, then went for my blood work. The tech who was drawing my blood was really wanting my hat. She just kept saying how cute it was. I told her when I left not to go looking me up after my chemo started and while I was asleep to come and snatch my hat. She just laughed.

Then up to my doctors appointment. We did get in early and out pretty quick. We arrived to the chemo area at 9:45 am but my appointment was set for 11 am so we just had to sit and wait. My chemo got started at 11:45 am and lasted until 11:10 pm

I decided to bring one of my scrafs to wear while laying there in bed. As you can see by my expressions things change as the drugs start flowing in my veins. Did get to sleep some this time and Scott got to get some sleep also. I take Friday off to try to recoupe some but Scott had to go to work Friday, we normally get up at 4:10 am but he slept in till 5 am.

The nurse checked with my doctor to see if she could give me a dose of benadryl and steroid before the last 4 bags which she approved. Because I had had them so early that they were probably already out of my system. So because of the last two reactions my last 4 bags of chemo are giving to me at a very slow rate. The first 3 bags are 1 hour each and the last bag last 2 hours. About 15 minutes left of the 4th bag we noticed a slight rash on both of my forearms. So they gave me another dose of Benadryl and obversed me for 30 minutes, checked my vitals and released me.

So 4 chemo treatments done and 2 to go. It looks like things are getting better, just taking longer. As I have said before there are always others worse off. There was a man who was checking in at 10 pm for his chemo right across from me. He was in so much pain. They were trying to get ahold of his doctor to be able to give him some pain meds. Scott said there was another down the hall in pain too. God is so good to me even while going through all of this. Again, thanks for all your prayers.

Please Be In Prayer - March 21, 2010

This photo was taken at my last chemo treatment. I was wearing a shirt that was made for me by one of my neices and her kids. I have another shirt I wear too that another neice and her kids made. These are my chemo shirts, I wear an angel pin that my sister gave me. We have tried to make it a special time while going through such a hard time. I wanted to have a picture taken of me standing by some of the bags of drugs that I get. This is not all of them. If you remember my last treatment was 12 hrs. from beginning to end. Just wanted to let y'all know that my next treatment is scheduled for this coming Thursday, March 25 at 11 am. I already have my pre-drugs to take on Wednesday. So please be in prayer that there will be no reactions to this treatment.

Also, ladies I want to encourage you to get your CA-125 checked when you have blood work done. Please, please don't put it off. It is a blood test for ovarian cancer, don't wait. The earlier it is caught the better chance you have to get treatment. I had no pain or indicator that there was anything wrong with me. A co-worker of mine had the blood work done at work and her CA-125 was up. She went to her doctor, had surgery but didn't have to have any chemo. So just remember the earlier it is caught the better.

Thanks again for all your prayers.

Half Way Done with Chemo Treatments - March 5, 2010

Reported at the Infusion Therapy center at 7:15 am. Signed in at 7:30 am when they opened. Waited 10-15 minutes to get it. Tried left arm, blew 2 veins. So they warmed up my arms and had someone else come in. One stick on the right arm, got out of there around 8-8:15 am. Got to the Main building for chemo about 8:30 am. Waited again for alittle while. Started chemo around 9 am. Because of my reaction to the chemo last time is why they moved me to the Main building for chemo and will continue to get chemo there. It takes about 45 minutes for the pre-meds.
We did get a blessing today, Scott went to the financial office to go over my bill, come to find out the insurance company made a mistake and we were overcharged about $1000.00. Also, the lady in billing office at MD Anderson is a Christian. So she suggested we wait until the insurance company gets it right before they put us on a payment plan.
First chemo drug Taxol took 3 hours then a flush and then Carbo. After only 20 minutes of Carbo and the rash broke out on my face and arms again. They stopped the chemo, started taking blood pressure every 5 minutes and gave me Benadryl and steroids again. They called Dr. Soliman. After about 30 minutes they continued the chemo but at a very slow rate (2 more hours). I would of been done at 6:15 pm. So my chemo time was from 9 am until 8:30 pm. We left the house at 6:30 am and got home about 9:15 pm. What a day!!!
While there at chemo and my rash broke out, made us think of the man a couple of rooms down from me. Poor man was just throwing up big time. Just to show you there is always someone worse off then ourselves.
So I am half way through with my chemo treatments. Next one is scheduled for March 25th, lets start praying now. Thanks again for all your prayers.

Chemo - Cancelled, Thursday, March 4, 2010

Because of my reaction to the chemo last time, they told me I have to have pre-medications 24 hours before I can have my chemo. I have 3 different kinds of pills to take. So they rescheduled the chemo for tomorrow, Friday, March 5, 2010 at 8:00 am. There was a miss communication from the last chemo to this one. Oh, well I guess there was a reason that I wasn't suppose to have chemo today. At first I was not very happy, but then I calmed down.
So please pray for no reactions tomorrow, if I have some reactions to the chemo they will have to stop giving it to me. We did ask Dr. Soliman if I needed all 6 chemo treatments and she said yes because of the type of cancer I have. That is if I don't have any reactions. So again, my prayer warriors let's start begging God for no reactions and healing. Thank you so much.