So I had two appointments today. One with genetics and one with Dr. Garth Nicolas. Basically this is the plan.. In the next two weeks I need to get an MIBG scan, A port-a-cath installed (day surgery), and bone biopsy(day surgery). After that as long as all is clear, we will start chemotherapy which will consist of 4 to 5 cycles of 3 weeks each pre-surgery. They are using 4 different types of chemo, not all at once and not at every cycle. The 4 types are Doxorubicin, Cyclophosphanide, Etopisode and Carboplatin.. Some cycles I will have to go in for 1st 3 days and some cycles only 1 day depending on the drug being used. I also will have an appointment with a social worker to discuss a few things. One of the things they will look into is to get an additional benefit plan. Will's covers 80% of prescriptions but I will need lots of meds as well as a couple injections to help keep white blood cell counts up and those injections, even with 80% coverage are about $300/each ...... Getting kinda scared.. The stuff they tell you when they tell you about chemo drugs is very scary.......Don't know what else to write. Kinda feeling blah about the whole day....
5 comments:
Have you spoken to any-one about what side effects you will experience from the chemo my Lovely?
xoxox
Yes. They gave me a list for each drug and it's possible side effects. Main ones are hair loss, nausea, tingling feeling in fingertips and toes. Also to be very careful for infections and if I have any signs such as fever, aches, chills, etc to go immediately to emergency.
Priscilla - Hi I'm Deb, I'm a friend of Sues. 3 years ago I went through chemo for ovarian cancer. I was told similar things about side effects. Each persons journey is different. You take each day at a time and each side effect one at a time. Through each cycle my side effects were different and with each cycle, the side effects were less intense. You will have to wait and see. The biggest thing I think, was not to overdo anything - accept all the help, the prayers that everyone offers and rest - that was the most important thing - the body helps itself mostly through resting. You will be tired as the cycles progress, don't worry and don't stress. Eat healthy, sleep well and laugh when you can! I wish you all the best, be positive and take time out for yourself to be kind to yourself. By that I mean, use resources available for aromatherapy, or massage or healing - anything that is complimentary - to give your mind a break from the situation. I know it's hard, but now is the time to try and sort out a bit of "me" time!. Other resources I found useful were a brilliant website called headcovers.com - they are in the US and they ship everywhere. They have a great array of headscarves. Loosing my hair was the least of my worries - it was so easy to get ready for any occasion with a fancy headscarf!!
I do wish you so much love and luck.
All the best,
Deb
this is the link to Headcovers.com and it's listed under Useful Links too
xxxx
http://www.headcovers.com/stc/about/1/
http://www.oncolink.org/books/chapter.cfm?b=15&c=1
tell 'em you want your cyclophosphamide chilled and ask 'em if they have the Dijon since it is after all a Nitrogen MUSTARD :)
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