This chemo thing is so weird.
I keep thinking I’ll get more data as I go
further through this, and then I’ll be more prepared and know what to expect, except
every time is so different.
This past session of AC I was just wrecked. As in, it felt like a semi-truck rolled into me and kept right on going. It’s not like it should be that surprising; but for someone who’s used
to arranging multiple activities per day on the weekend because the kids and I
really like to be out and about, it’s disconcerting to be able to manage about 30
minutes of playtime before needing want to go back to bed.
However, I'm now officially DONE with AC! And today (right now as I write this) I'm starting my new round of chemo, a drug called Taxol. I'm here for a long time today because they're pumping me full of steroids and benadryl in case I get an allergic reaction and I get my first dose of herceptin too (also known as Trastuzumab, which sounds like a Romanian Vampire name to me, I love it). I'm hoping that after the first couple treatments (12 in all, once per week) I'll have a better guess as to how I'll feel throughout, although of course given my AC experience you never know.
In the meantime, I brought my copy of Girls of Atomic City, which I'm reading for bookclub, along with me today, and had a long conversation with Dr. Kaplan about WWII. I also learned that he served during the Vietnam War by working with a bunch of crazy smart cancer researchers here in the US. They were told to go buy some uniforms at the store and when they found out they cost $300 they came back told their commander that he could buy them for them himself! He said he didn't care so they spent the entire war doing research in their jeans. And he says he's the only one who went on to actually practice medicine; everyone else he served with is running impressive medical research clinics all around the country. I can say I'm officially glad he's decided to practice; this whole thing is much more feasible with good friends and good doctors to help me through.
That's it for today; hopefully I'll try to post this week and let folks know how Taxol is going. Hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving and Channukah celebrations!
In the meantime, I brought my copy of Girls of Atomic City, which I'm reading for bookclub, along with me today, and had a long conversation with Dr. Kaplan about WWII. I also learned that he served during the Vietnam War by working with a bunch of crazy smart cancer researchers here in the US. They were told to go buy some uniforms at the store and when they found out they cost $300 they came back told their commander that he could buy them for them himself! He said he didn't care so they spent the entire war doing research in their jeans. And he says he's the only one who went on to actually practice medicine; everyone else he served with is running impressive medical research clinics all around the country. I can say I'm officially glad he's decided to practice; this whole thing is much more feasible with good friends and good doctors to help me through.
That's it for today; hopefully I'll try to post this week and let folks know how Taxol is going. Hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving and Channukah celebrations!
WOW, Tali! When I think of you, my first thought has always been spunk and strength, with a good does of fun. I am a confirmed believer now. I'll be checking in here from now on. God bless you and your family.
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