2007-02-15 Update

One down, three to go! I had my chemo today! Just Abraxane. The whole process took a lot longer than 1/2 hour. But there was a reason for that. I got added at the last minute and they had a packed day. There was no room at the inn when I got there. So we had to wait a while. But I need to digress...

Got to Dr. Mathia's around 10:30. Finally saw her around 11:25. She said everything looks great and she'll see me in 3 months. Then I had to call the infusion clinic to let them know I was in town and would be up there in about an hour. The Abraxane needs to be mixed up and then settled for about an hour, so they get that done before I come up, which is nice.

After lunch, we headed up to the hospital. Once a room opened up, we went back and they started the saline drip, then a steroid. Yes, steroids! Ugh. At least it wasn't Prednisone and it's only right before the chemo - not during the entire course of treatment. (They are going to PUMP ME UP!) Then I had the Abraxane (max dose, since no cytoxan was given with it). But the clinic was so full that my nurse (Dawn - who was absolutely wonderful!) had to run around working on everyone, so everything took longer than "normal." We got to the hospital around 12:30 and left a few minutes before 5. Wow. How long would it have taken had I had to have taxol or taxotere, which take a minimum of 3 hours to infuse???

Anyway, all went well. I didn't even have a bad taste in my mouth, which the nurse said had happened to others. And no nausea, which was another thing she said several patients experienced while there. I am just tired. But that's because I can't seem to get to bed before midnight! In fact, it's really Friday right now and I have disobeyed my husband's mandated 10:30pm curfew!! (Now that's a surprise, right?)

Oh, and I have to pick up my Neuprogen (not Neutrogen) tomorrow and inject it into myself. More fun. It just doesn't stop! Whoo-eee! :-) But I can deal with that. I get to pick up my real wig, too. (90% hair loss rate on Abraxane. So it's pretty definite my head will get some tan this summer!) I'll post pictures!

Next treatment: March 7, 2007 - 11am!