Post Chemo

This weekly protocol of Taxol will be easier to handle I think.  During infusion I did not have any reactions but of course the good people at the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre know of my spotty past with chemo reactions and had matters well in hand.  I received a variety of pre meds to ensure nothing would interfere with the chemo.  As usual I mostly slept through it and was released to go home within 3 hours.  This is quick for me.

After chemo I experienced minimal side effects ie. nausea, vomiting, etc.  There was some headache the day after but nothing I can't handle with some medication.  Let's just hope this weekly Taxol does the job it is supposed to!

I am still dealing with the ascites which is really dragging me down.  The fluid in the abdominal is very uncomfortable making it hard for me to walk or stand.  I spend most of my time sitting down to ease the pressure off my back.  This does not help with the fact that I plan to be living in my bathing suit in a few weeks in Mexico.

The good new is that I have an appointment for a paracentesis tomorrow and it cannot come soon enough.

UPDATE:  Today the imaging department called and asked if they could move my appointment up to 3:00 pm.  I said most certainly and thanked them profusely. Appointment went well and they removed 5 litres of fluid.  That's 10 pounds thank you very much........  I am feeling quite tender in the belly and trust it will heal and tighten up very soon.  Maybe not Kim Kardasian tight but hopefully will not remain like a pillow or something.  yuck.....

The November 7th scan is showing stable disease which means the visible disease has not changed significantly since the September 29th scan.  This is good news.  The only problem at this point is the development of ascites.  As usual this fluid accumulated very rapidly.  I know my clothes started to feel tight on November 7th and by the November 17th appointment at Princess Margaret I could not wear my regular clothes.  Elastic waist bands are the fashion of the day.  

At the meeting on November 17th we discussed the CT Scan results which were favourable but we needed to deal with the ascites and talk about start of trial.  Starting the trial right away would help with the ascites but would interfere with our holiday in December.  Once I start the trial I have to adhere to the protocols and appointments which means frequent travel to Toronto.  If we just treat the ascites then I can wait until the new year to begin trial and focus on that.  I chose to wait to start the trial and my best option right now is to start weekly chemo of Taxol for 3 weeks.  The usual protocol is one infusion every 3 weeks so I will be getting a third of the infusion every week for 3 weeks.  You get the picture.  This is a stop gap measure and I should hopefully experience minimal side effects.  The best part is I can have this done at Grand River Cancer Centre and I do not need to travel to Toronto until the new year.

I met with my oncologist at Grand River on the 19th (appointment previously booked) and we discussed the more immediate treatment plan.  She is in agreement and started the ball rolling to get the chemo scheduled this week.  We discussed potential issues such as low blood counts and maybe some hair loss.  We will deal with issues as they come up.  She also wants to schedule a paracentesis.  A paracentesis will be a relief I can tell you!  I look about 7 months pregnant and it is not very comfortable.  Walking any distance is physically taxing.

So far my chemo is scheduled for this Friday on the 21st.  Still waiting to hear about the paracentesis.  Hoping it might be today!

We are getting dumped on with snow and it is cold.........