Camp Chemo Update #5: This is Starting to Feel Redundant

Yesterday's chemo infusion happened! This sentence is indeed worthy of that exclamation point, since I was certain that my neutrophils had dropped below 1.5. Actually, they did-- so I was surprised when Researcher S. told me that I "squeaked by this week," and that my count was at 1.2... so there seems to be some leeway, apparently. What that means for me now is that I am in the "risk of infection" zone, and that I must stay away from germy places and people (Researcher S. always mentions germy children in this warning), at least until Thursday when I have my next labs and we see if the neuts (as Cousin Kate calls them) have indeed fallen to the level of needing the booster shot. Again, that will mean delaying chemotherapy one week as I begin taking the shot that will assist the neuts.
So chemo was fine, although the Taxol again irritated the fibroid, which is highly uncomfortable in the way of cramping and was tamed as cramps often are, with an Advil procured by Nurse S., who also instructed my Chemo Buddy Kelley to distract me by chatting. This team effort was successful and much appreciated. In terms of side effects, so far so good; not feeling nauseous at all today, which is a huge relief from last weekend. I did not go on a hike (or bike) today, as John is in Minnesota getting our winter belongings from storage, but I did take the dog on a longer walk. Even my fatigue seems lower today as compared to last week (yay).

Chemo Buddy Feature: SIL Kelley!
This week's Chemo Buddy was Kelley, my wonderful sister-in-law. Kelley is a force; a ginger, a high achiever, successful career lady budget analyst number cruncher, lover of spreadsheets, runner, super baker and cook, quilter, sewer, highly fashionable, mom to my nephew M., and incredibly kind and generous host to John and me as we unexpectedly stay with her (plus D. and M.) far past our original timeline so that we have extra support during my treatment. She also is very good at raising two of the sweetest cats that I have ever encountered, Pepin and Jax.

Here we are at Camp Chemo! She has great bangs.

Pepin (orange tabby) & Jax (gray tabby)

Camp Chemo Update #4: Truly Mostly Normal

Yesterday was Chemo #4 of 16, also known as infusion #1 of Cycle 2 of 4 of Phase I, but you don't really need to keep track of all of that. What's great is that I feel great; not even "mostly normal" but actually normal (sans hair). The infusion itself was my first without any crampy discomfort at all-- a first! (That turned out to be due to a uterine fibroid and not a side effect of the chemo, if you read my last blog post)
There was another younger woman at chemo that I had not seen before (I heard her say she is 35). We are seated fairly close together in the treatment room, so I was able to derive from her conversations that she is on the exact same treatment plan and clinical trial as me (another triple negative person!), and that this was her final infusion. Her chemo buddy was her mother, and I overheard her say something to the effect of it being a breeze compared to the Phase I weekly chemos (Yessssssss!) coming every three weeks was "basically nothing," and she was not having any major reactions to the Phase II drugs of adriamycin and cytoxan.
As she finished her infusion and took happy celebratory photos with the oncology nurse (Nurse S.) before heading out, I started to tear up a bit. I was so happy for her! and she really seemed as though she was in a good mental and physical space. We had not been introduced, but I congratulated her and wished her good luck with her upcoming surgery. I will be her in the not-too-distant future-- this felt so hopeful to think about and to see IRL. Tangible. Doable.
I was also possibly a bit... not jealous, I don't feel like that is the right word, but something in that direction. I want to be done, too. Alas. One step at a time.

Chemo Buddy Feature: John!
John attended camp chemo with me yesterday. He was my first chemo buddy, and is the pinch hitter for any chemo shift (yes I have shifted these out, I am an organizer after all) unclaimed by other friends and family. He is my hero team partner and the loml. He makes me laugh. He makes me tea and vegan lunches and dinners and is ever-vigil about my water intake. Last night he made me stay up too late watching the Astros/Yankees game (in reality, I was wired from steroids so would have been up anyway). He tells me that he genuinely thinks I am hot with a shaved head, and I believe him (and then I tease him that he could use a haircut, too. Which is not untrue.). He is with me wholeheartedly in this strange time of being the most EXTRA I have ever been. While taking my vitals yesterday, I commented to Nurse S. that my heart rate had been up, and without skipping a beat she said, "Well, you are sitting next to that guy, so I am not surprised." We laughed, and then he let me take my Benadryl nap while he ran to True Food Kitchen for lunch (thank you for the gift card, Tracy!!).
John is always up for an adventure, so we are going to hike this afternoon.
I am obviously very much lucky in love and also just plain lucky. Thank you, loml.

Me, tres chic on route to Camp Chemo. 

John and me at Camp Chemo. I'm not sure this showcases his need for a haircut, but just trust me.

Selected Quote:

"Well, you are sitting next to that guy, so I am not surprised." -- Nurse S. 

One Chemo Cycle is DONE & Other Celebrations

Maybe you share my love of the to-do list, and the satisfaction that comes with crossing sh*% off of it. Today marks the official first item completed from my treatment list: that's right, Chemo Cycle 1 (of 4, of Phase I of II, don't be confused and yes there is a quiz just kidding there is not) is DONE, in the books, over! Tomorrow I start the second cycle. I am also celebrating the fact that I AM having chemo tomorrow-- my labs came back from this morning's blood work, and my neutrophils are holding! (John will be my Chemo Buddy.)
The end of each cycle also means a provider office visit, and today I met with Nurse Practitioner J. plus Researcher S. It is mostly a physical exam, they check my mass, and I get to tell them all about my experiences and side effects and ask questions.
Today I asked about fibroids, because I realized that after my CT Scan I was told that I have one, which I promptly forgot about once I heard the words "not cancer." After last weekend's discomfort, however, I spoke with my obgyn, who said my symptoms sounded like a uterine fibroid, and it all clicked! I sound excited about this because I am-- what it means is that the negative side effects I had after my chemo treatment on Friday were not due to the actual chemo itself, but instead to the fibroid. It may also be the case that the chemo exacerbates the fibroid, which is not great, but I am genuinely happy that I am tolerating the chemo well. This means the only side effects have been some fatigue and a headache here and there (okay plus hair loss).
Having a uterine fibroid is not a joyous situation, of course. In case you don't know much about it, it is a mass (not cancer! Or rarely is, and mine is not.) and often goes away on its own, but if you start experiencing noticeable symptoms (like me), you should let your obgyn know, and then they talk about different ways to get rid of it that 1) sound invasive, and 2) I cannot do in the midst of receiving chemo. Essentially, my symptoms are like PMS x 10. Or something. (If talking about menstrual blood makes you uncomfortable, you can stop reading now. #sorrynotsorry)
My symptoms actually began in early August, when I had an astonishingly heavy period. I refer to it as the Red Alert, and once I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I guessed that the two were somehow linked (hormones and such). Clearly, if you have the Red Alert, something in your body is unhappy. Then, I went on a run last week, and all was well, but the next day I started another run, and my uterus felt tender/hurty. Annoying, since I had the energy for that run. Then... Red Alert, which today's lab work confirmed, as I am a little anemic. I'll hit the spinach extra hard this week.
While at chemo, I had a strange reaction (you can read about it here), which Nurse S. said was not related to the chemo I was receiving, these were not side effects related to Taxol or Carbo; and then I was fairly crampy and Red Alerty all weekend. This was all a little frightening, since it was not making sense! This is (again) why I am glad to know that this is about the fibroid, not the chemo... anyway. I think you get the point. If you have questions, or like me, enjoy hearing about the experience of having a uterus (if you know me, you know that I do. I have birth doula experience, I have worked in abortion clinics, plus prenatal yoga teacher and other related trainings, etc.), feel free to message me offline!
If you have had the thought while reading this post that it appears that my reproductive organs are waging an all-out assault on me, you are not alone.