Chemo #2

 9/9/2022

I was a little nervous preparing for Chemo #2. Would it be harder, would my symptoms be better or worse?

After my blood draw, I met with my oncologist. my blood work looked great and we discussed changing my chemo plan. Now we will do 4 rounds of AC every two weeks (2 of which are complete), take 2 weeks off, and then 4 rounds of T every two weeks. The potency of the 2nd 4 will be greater, yet 4 treatments sound much better to me than 12. So yay! 

What's exciting and interesting to me is the willingness and flexibility of the doctor to meet my needs according to how my body/mind/spirit are dealing with the treatment.

They (dr and nurse) were happy with how I moved my body (yoga, teaching, pickle ball and biking) and how few symptoms I had. The fatigue was incredibly debilitating, the brain fog was unsettling and my fluctuating body temperature was uncomfortable.

I went into my treatment prepared and calm especially after receiving my awesome news of fewer treatments.

There was a bit of a hoopla in the room. The husband of a woman receiving treatment didn't like the looks of one of the staff and he staring yelling at them to get out of his face, The police were called and he was escorted out. I thought OMG shoot out in the infusion center, but it was all handled very well.

The protocol for this treatment was the same as before. This time I had 2 nurses because one of them was in training. I always bring way too many things to do. Cheney drove me and stayed through the set up. My friend, Kathy, came for the second half. She made some yummy lettuce wraps and we played cards-gin rummy. I don't know if she was being nice, but I won all the games so it was fun for me.

She drove me home and I immediately laid down.

It was a slow and easy night. One thing I am working on is eating more protein. They suggested that I have protein at every meal, which is challenging as a vegetarian.

I had some veggie sausage that I love with some jook (a Chinese rice dish usually served to babies, old people and those convalescing). 

Last treatment, I had burning in my head and throat. This time it was more like heartburn.

I've had to add Prilosec to my drug regimen for now. And I cannot tolerate spicy or fried food. 

I am eating mostly yogurt, granola, watermelon juice and pops, egg muffins, soups, and salads. I am also adding in some fish.