COLD AS ICE

Well, I’m two rounds into Taxol chemo.  Only ten more to go.  The good thing is from what I can tell, it’s going to be easier to tolerate than that other kind of chemo. It has its own side effects and they can take their toll, but so far there’s no nausea, I can eat, and I don’t feel like staying in bed for 7 days straight download retourformulier h&m.

But here’s what I’m finding out as I start this next three month round.  As much as chemo and fighting breast cancer is a physical fight, it’s also a mental one.  Knowing how it effects you physically makes it really hard to walk back in each week, get the IV needle in an overused vein and know what you’ll be up against for the next week or so download gif animation. You have to try to remain positive, know it’s necessary and do your best to turn off any emotions you have about cancer and the fact that you’re stuck going through what you’re going through. Basically when it comes to cancer you have to be cold as ice and not give it the time of day or let it get to you in every aspect of your life that it wants to effect anno 1602 download kostenlos. Sometimes it’s easier said than done, but ignoring it as best you can and not giving it the attention it wants can make things a little easier to handle.

So my first round last Friday was a little rough because it was my “loading dose” of Taxol and the two antibodies, Herceptin and Perjeta which meant five hours in the chair with the IV dji phantom 4 bilder herunterladen.  Add to that the commute, the lab visit in the morning to get a blood sample then the check-up with my oncologist, it turned out to be a ten hour, exhausting day.  The five hours in the chair is because there are side effects and a risk of allergic reaction to what Taxol is mixed with, so they had to give me Benadryl, a steroid, Pepcid and Tylenol first before even getting to the Taxol and antibodies. And each of the above meds had to be dripped separately which is why it takes so long herunterladen minecraft kostenlos.

SIDE NOTE: If you’ve never had 50mg of Benadryl shot directly into your vein let me tell you what you’re missing. Within five minutes I could barely speak, the walls and floor looked slanted, my tongue felt like it was six times its normal size and every last drop of saliva I walked in with got sucked out of my mouth and into the atmosphere of the chemo suite.

When it was time for the Taxol the nurse first packed my hands and feet on ice (more on that in a bit), wheeled over an oxygen tank, got out an EpiPen kit and then stayed with me to make sure I didn’t go into anaphylactic shock itunes für windows xp herunterladen.  Trying to communicate with her during this critical time when she’s constantly asking “how you’re doing” in a concerned voice should really be it’s own Olympic event. Although I can tell you I’d come in dead last because I think I may have slurred out “I thinhk Imuh okhay” semi-coherently only once gratis beat makeren.

The good news is I didn’t have an allergic reaction, last Friday or during yesterday’s infusion, so the significant threat of that is now over. The first two treatments are the ones they are most concerned about so the anxiety around the next ten infusions should be a lot lower all the way around herunterladen.

Now, about the ice packs. In my last post I mentioned one of the side effects of Taxol is nail discoloration and them lifting off your fingers and falling out.  I know two badasses who have had all of that happen to them and they begged me to “make sure you ice” while getting Taxol. They didn’t and are paying the price download fonts for free. It’s not a guarantee, but so many people say it does help so I am giving it a shot.  If you’re daring and not eating while reading this, just Google “Taxol nails” and click images. You’re welcome.
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But here’s the thing about icing. You have to keep your hands and feet on the ice the whole time the Taxol is getting infused, which takes an hour.  The ice is supposed to constrict the blood vessels and prevent the Taxol from getting to those areas which helps prevent the nail issue.  And that brings in the mental part of this whole game again.  It is extremely difficult to keep your hands and feet on ice for an hour.  Physically it starts to hurt after about 15 minutes. Mentally you have to go to  a place where you ignore it for 45  more minutes.  Here’s a glimpse of it:

handsice

feeticed

Every time I pulled my hands or feet out of the ice I think of those Google images and immediately put them back in.  When it comes to tackling the various side effects of chemo, if there’s one you can hopefully keep at bay, you do whatever you can to do it right.

The biggest issues so far I’m finding with Taxol is the fatigue and joint/bone pain. But I will take that over the nausea from the last go ’round any day.

And from now on, whatever else this you know what wants to throw at me down the line, I say bring it. Because for the rest of this journey, I’m mentally prepared in more ways than one, to be cold as ice.

10 thoughts on “COLD AS ICE”

  1. Hi Deb
    We missed you yesterday in Newtown but know you were taking good care of yourself right now. You are one Badass that is for sure. I so respect your courage and positive attitude and think about you all the time. Love Trish

  2. Well done, Deb! I’m so proud of you!
    I had one day when I decided I didn’t want to go for my next chemo. My head knew I had to, but I really, really didn’t want to. I had to let myself feel that way for a day, then I was fine.
    Keep up that physical and mental toughness!
    Love,
    Barbara

  3. This brings back memories. Not the hands and feet on ice as I never got taxol. But googling things I wished I hadn’t. By the time I got to the oncologist I was a basket case, imagining the worst. I actually after about the 5th week learned how to beam myself up to the ceiling as the pain meds and xanax just were not cutting it.
    I also recited the 23rd psalm a lot. A friend told me music in headphones got her through. Certain songs, music that she could just remove herself from time and place. You might try that. I think the facial mask that they bolted me to the table with was the worst. I never got used to the claustrophobia of it. There is no good cancer, but they sure could use some newer treatments that didn’t make you wish you were dead. You got this. Now we know why they put Gracie in a sedated coma for the first part. Sounded cruel but thinking about being 5 and this stuff. Not so much.

        1. Thanks, Candy. Just finished #4 of Taxol, have eight more to go, will be done mid July then move on to radiation. Long road, but taking it one day at a time. Blog update coming soon. xoxo

  4. after reading your posts, i never know quite what to say…. i am amazed at your strength, attitude, and honesty. this shit is brutal and makes me mad that anyone had to deal with it. thinking of you, deb! feel good! xo

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