3rd cycle FEC update

Since I knew my blood values were acceptable as of last week i wasn't too anxious about that. Access to the port was great except they had trouble withdrawing blood, but they got as much as they needed. This time I saw a different doctor and she was very nice. Very patient with all my questions and suggested I take another drug to help with my nausea, It is a proton pump inhibitor so that my stomach doesn't excrete as much acid and destroy the lining of my stomach since it is already under attack from the chemo. She said I was doing great considering what a harsh regimen I am receiving and that really made feel good. It is great when your doctor or nurse says that you are doing well. I actually felt pretty good going in. But with the ativan in my system I became pretty loopy again (I had the very same guy-nurse as I did the first round of Taxol) but this time I did not try to walk on a straight line for him (at least I don't have a recollection of that :) )
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Last week I bumped on my left big toe nail and almost took it off completely. It bleed a lot. It is still attached but looks pretty dead, I keep a band-aid over it to try to keep on as long as possible. The doctor yesterday thought that my finger nails should be OK (because several of them are half way detached) - she thinks that the newly growing nail will keep the whole nail in place until the chemo is done and afterwards things should reverse.

I will go back on Monday morning to get the second half of 5-FU and then Tuesday morning to get Neulasta. By the way have I mentioned how much a single shot of Neulasta costs? over $5000!!! But it is worth it, I was talking to someone and he told me a story of a 30 year old father of 2 sons. He had testicular cancer and was doing OK on his chemo. Then his doctor persuaded him to get just one extra round of chemo and his white blood cells zeroed out, he went septic and died. I really don't appreciate of people telling me how their friends, acquaintances died of cancer but this one was actually a good story to appreciate that I am getting the care that will keep me healthy and out of trouble.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel finally. I am looking forward to feeling like myself again, except in much better shape than I was before the diagnosis. I am still exercising everyday, watching my diet (i.e. eating mostly plant based foods) and trying to keep a positive outlook on life. I actually did go through boxes and boxes of "junk" that had been accumlating in our sun room and garage and got rid of a lot of stuff, so that was one of my goals for the summer and I consider it 80% done, yaay for me.

School starts on MONDAY! I am looking forward being in class again but I will have to be extra careful not to get sick from my students or my kiddos. lost of handwashing.

Wishing you all a WONDERFUL WEEKEND!