Tuesday, July 31, 2012

2 down, 10 to go!

Yes! I am finally adding another post to my blog. I'm sorry it's been so long since my last update.

The last time I posted, I was about to get my last dose of the tough chemo...I was told that with each dose of the AC, the effects would be cumulative. And I can honestly tell you that the last dose kicked my ass...so much so that I unfortunately ended up in the hospital for a few days.

Mike took me to the ER because I had a 102-degree fever and I was admitted because my white blood cell count had plummeted to an extremely low level. After a couple days of getting antibiotics, my counts rose up to a safe level and I was discharged. The worst part of it all was dealing with the excruciatingly painful mouth sores, a common AC side effect. I had gotten the mouth sores after previous doses, but none as bad as this time around. For a good 6 or so days, it hurt to eat, talk or even swallow, which meant I was on pretty much on a liquid, very soft food diet during that time. Not fun!

My oncologist told me that I was only her second patient in five years to end up in the hospital...not exactly an honor for which I was striving:)

On a much more upbeat note, the Taxol chemo drug I am now receiving is way easier on me than the AC. I have received two of the twelve doses so far, and the side effects have been very minimal. No poor appetite/nausea or taste changes and my energy level definitely seems to be improving.  Yay!


That's all for now! I hope all of you are having a fantastic summer!