Cycle 2

This week, we began cycle 2. Almost routine now. Head to the 9th floor, vital signs, access the port for blood work, take a walk, come back for the main event.

I decided not to have the decadron/steroids with this infusion. It was up to me which pre-med to drop first, and since I am still a bit concerned about an allergic reaction, opted for the steroid. Boy does the lack of a steroid change the experience. BOOM! Fast asleep. They had to wake me up for the Taxol safety check! I then slept through the hour infusion. Got home, and was back in bed within moments. I am having to work a bit harder to control the nausea. Without the steroids, the side effects of Benadryl are more obvious including a certain amount of drowsiness the next day. Next week we will start to reduce the Benadryl. First by half; and then none. Shall see how that goes!

On Thursday it was time to shave. That salon was filled with women in their 20's getting their hair colored, sheaves of tin foil surrounding their crowns. As my hair fell to the floor, they stared at their phones and traded silly stories with their stylist. So different than last time when the room was filled with women who "felt" what I was going through. This time no hugs, no best wishes, no acknowledgement. I guess I just look older and "this is what happens to old people."

Once again, I am surprised by how cold my head is. Doesn't help that it is damp and cold and rainy right now. Weather is allowed to get warmer anytime!

Once again, HAIR

It is falling out. In clumps. This sucks......

Why does this bother me? I knew this was coming. But, this time it is forever. That is different, isn't it?

Tingles

One of my "truths," one that I say out loud often, "Every drug has a price." Certainly, Taxol is no exception. There are the whole digestive ones which are simply too tedious to discuss. And then there are tingles that have finally begun. Experience tells me that this is the beginning of the head hair tufting. This morning a few more hairs found their way into the sink. Soon, the shedding will be too obvious to ignore.

The question that remains is, will I be one of the few who only get thinning, or will this be full, lint-roller, loose every hair loss?

Tax0l Nº 3 is a Wrap

I have a primary infusion nurse and s/he is, drumroll please, Nurse Kristina who was my nurse on week Nº 1. She is efficient, pleasant, listens well, doesn't hover, and yet checks in regularly. Again, I was given a dark interior room but heck, once that Benadryl hits I am asleep anyhow! This week the egg salad had too much mayonnaise. I need to bring my own food I think. Maybe enough to share.

It is interesting that in the last 10 years, my life has been filled with people with names derived from Christ. My oncologist, a close friend, several nurses, new friends, they all seem to have arrived into my life post-cancer. I don't recall knowing anyone with a derivative name before that.

I was told yesterday, that it will be possible to omit the steroid and benadryl as we go forward. Really? I just need to decide which one goes away first. And then, I can drive myself!!! No benadryl == driving. How great will that be? Mr. L can have his Tuesdays back to work, and I can go to the hospital and only worry about me.

Next week is my week off. I will use Tuesday to drive down to IKEA and restock some of my AirBNB supplies.

Week 2 is just about done

Week 2 has been a bit more difficult. My brain is still working but sometimes my body simply doesn't respond. Or my brain works, but bounces around more than I like. I am dropping items more regularly, but I think it is because I get distracted; not from neuropathy. Food is getting more complicated. My digestive system is getting more sensitive.

A household bet has been won. The answer is in! I have run out of shampoo before I have lost my hair. Seems silly to start a new bottle of shampoo right now, but I can't not wash my hair for the next week, or more.

Silly things that we find amusing. After all, my sense of humor isn't affected by chemo!

I will meet my new primary infusion nurse tomorrow. I am optimistic if for no reason other than, I need to maintain that optimism. But before then, I have a few more hours to play with Olivia, dinner with my kid, and finish setting up the AirBNB space.

I am not quite ready to stop moving.