Chemotherapy has started - let the fun begin!

Happy post Fourth of July!  I’m thrilled to report that almost two weeks into treatment I am feeling great except for the few days right after chemo.  I now feel better about making some summer plans but we are taking each day as it comes and working around treatment schedules.

No wig!  My new hairstyle for a few weeks

My first chemo treatment was Tuesday, June 24^th.  Mike and I were at the Mayo Clinic almost all day.  My chemotherapy is called TC chemo which stands for Decotaxel (T) and Cyclophosphamide (C ).  It actually takes about 3 hours to intravenously inject but there seems to be many steps before it actually starts.  It was surreal to sit there with Mike and look around and see people of all ages who have to do this week after week; some without anyone at their side.  I am again reminded how lucky I am to have Mike, my family and all of you.

Monday, prior to chemo, I had my blood drawn to check my white and red cell count.  This will give doctors as my baseline throughout treatment.  The chemo, as you probably know, kills the cells as they are dividing, both good and bad.  So, there is about a one-week period where I am more susceptible to infection than other times.  The Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of chemo treatments, I actually feel AWESOME.  They give you a steroid; which made me want to organize my house – my idea of FUN!  After, this first treatment, Thursday and Friday were pretty tough, but I rebounded Saturday and Mike and I joined friends at Steak44 for dinner.  So, it is basically and up-and-down, day-by-day, process.

My next three treatments will be July 15^th, August 5 and the last one will be August 26^th.  I will take a break after chemo before beginning radiation.  I think lots of progress has been made in regards to chemotherapy.  The doctors really try to help control the side effects as best they can with other drugs and suggestions on how to take care of yourself and your body at this time.  The day after each chemo treatment I will be given an injection called Pegfilgrastim, which helps my body make more white blood cells to fight infections.  YOU will not believe it, but this little shot alone costs $10,000!  It is crazy!  But, we are committed to following the doctor’s recommendations.

Okay, well I hope I answered some questions and also hope that you feel a little bit more educated about breast cancer and my treatment.  Thanks for reading!  xoxoxo