Monday Post Chemo #5

We just dropped Dad off at the airport. We were sad to see him go. I feel like I didn't even see him, although I did, for the 5 days he was here. I spent most of Friday-Sunday in bed and my nausea meds make me goony. I don't remember very much, which is good, I'd hate to feel sick to my stomach for 72 hrs straight. The boys had fun with him.

I'm really wiped out today. I'm not as nauseated, just exhausted. I can function but I can also sit down and fall asleep in 2 seconds. If I'm sitting or laying down it's better but with a 5 and 2 yr old that's difficult. Oh well, it will get better each day.

My hair has started to slowly fall out. I can't believe I made it 5treatments and NOW it's going to go. I started to find a few on my pillow and then more and more in the shower. Last night they would come out in my hand when I ran my fingers through my hair. I'm just hoping it won't ALL fall out, maybe just thin some. I'm not shaving it this time. We'll see, at least I look OK bald!

Mike Fox (a friend from home) told me that he and his wife just did a Susan G Komen 5k on the cruise they were on a few weeks ago. Thanks guys, that's awesome! I didn't realize that Holland America cruises do that on their ships. I think he said it was 9 laps around the ship. Jason and I talked about it and I think we're going to try to take one of their cruises and do it too. We welcome anyone who wants to go! It would be a blast with a bunch of people!

Thanks for the letters, cards, emails and calls. They all mean so much!

Love,
Erica

Day 1 post Chemo 5

I felt ok this morning when I woke up, I'm usually more nauseated. By the time I got to the doctors office I was feeling more nauseated the motion from the car makes it worse. They gave me Ativan and another nausea med to help but it didn't. I just felt like throwing up. I thought maybe I needed some food, so when dad came to get me, Will and Nathan were begging for McDonalds. I said ok, I could get the old "hangover" recipe, a burger and a diet coke. Well, I got 2 bites of the burger down and I thought an orange drink might be better for my stomach. Nope, both made me even sicker.

We went home and I went straight to bed. Nathan came in around 3 and slept with me until about 6. We all ate America Chop Suey for dinner which tasted good and settled my stomach. The kids are playing Wii with Dad and Jason's cleaning up. I'm going to take a bath and go back to bed.

Update later!
Love,
Erica

Chemo #5 down! One to go!

Well, I just finished #5 and I have 1 to go. I almost didn't get chemo today. My white blood cell test on Tuesday was non-existent .01%. I needed to have 2.2% or higher to be treated. My doctor gave me a Neupogen shot to force my body to make white blood cells so that she could treat me. I had my blood drawn this morning and they (whites) came up to 5.7%, which was great. Thank God. My dad flew in last night and it would have been a wasted trip if I had to wait another week until they came up. (well, not wasted, I love visiting with him and the kids are ecstatic) I had a feeling that it was working because my hips, legs, back and head started to really hurt yesterday. The cells are made in the marrow of the largest bones in your body.

I actually feel pretty normal right now. I had treatment at 10 a.m. instead of 1 p.m. like usual. Dad and I ran around and did errands this afternoon and then he painted a wall for me. I love the color! My dad's the best!

I go back for fluids and nausea meds tomorrow morning. Dad will take the kids to the park while they wait for me. Then the nurses will come to my house Saturday and Sunday to give me fluids and meds. I'm praying it won't be as bad this time. I can handle like last time just as long as it's not as bad as Christmas was.

Anyway, I'll update again in a few days. I feel good right now but it takes a couple of days to really kick in and make me feel like crap.

Love to all!
Erica