The Third AC and Lab Results

Friday, December 30, 2005: I had my third AC treatment back on December 20. I did take the atavan this time, but they gave me half the dose. I liked that much better. I did my treatment on Tuesday so that maybe I will feel good for Christmas. The treatment went well. I don't have much of a problem with mouth sores but I do have them occasionally. I put ice chips in my mouth while the nurse injected the adriamycin and I didn't get any this time. Really strange how that works, but they say that it can. After treatment, I went home and took a long nap. Jason was at home to watch over me and Robert usually tries to come home from work early on those days. For the first 2 treatments I always felt good the next day, but this time I felt yucky on Wednesday. I had no appetite whatsoever on Wed. or Thursday. I think I just ate toast, toast with a little jelly and toast again. Oh yea, and Lucky Charms cereal (!?). On Thursday night I wanted some good brocolli cheese soup from Panera Bread that we had while mom and Larry were here. Boy, it sounded so good to me. It was late at night so Robert fixed me some from Campbells--not the same. It had a metallic taste to it (a side effect) and I don't know if I will be able to eat again. They say to not eat any of your favorite foods right after chemo because you might get sick, or it taste funny and you can develop an aversion to it. Anyway, I did pretty good this time. I started feeling better on Friday and ate more normal foods. I don't have a strong appetite for about a week after chemo. I always seem to loose a few pounds in the first week and a half after chemo, but regain my appetite and put them back on in the second week and a half before my next treatment. We went over to my dad's for Christmas Eve. We have started doing appetizers instead of the traditional meal since we just did it at Thanksgiving. Then the four of us went to eat at a place called Kennedy for Christmas night. I really enjoyed it. Since school started, it has been really hectic and even though we eat together a lot as a family it is often rushed and hurried. The four of us ate together and had a really good and relaxing time. I have had a great week this past week. I started to feel a little more fatigued than usual on the 27th and the 28th. Then I had my labs done on the 29th. My red blood cell count went down below normal for the first time. A drop in red blood cells causes anemia and this causes fatigue. It is not in the danger zone so I don't have to take any shots to try and raise it like I do the white blood cells. My white blood cells were low but it is the first time that I haven't had to be put on antibiotics and given the " no fresh fruits and vegies, no buffet etc." speech. My WBC count is 3.0 and if it is lower than 3.0 then they put you on antibiotics. I can't imagine what my white blood cell count would be if it weren't for neulasta. If it is in the 2.5-3.0 with neulasta than I suspect it would be really low without it and that could have meant a lot of quarentines for me. My fourth and LAST AC treatment is on Jan. 11. I am so excited for this part to be over. Since I have already had a little bit of taxol treatment, I know that the side effects will be mild compared to this. Oh yea, funny story. Another side effect of chemo is that is puts you into menopause. I was burning up on Monday. I didn't have a hot flash, I had a hot hour. I couldn't get cooled down. I wanted to take Allison to work and go over to Pottery Barn to check out their sales. It has been warm here but we had strong winds that day. I put on shorts and a tshirt and headed out. When I got the Pottery Barn at the District, everyone was in jackets and sweaters, sweatsuits. I was just beginning to get comfortable! People were looking at me like I was nuts. I was so out of place I just went home. They only had Christmas stuff marked down 30% anyway! Everyone please have a SAFE and HAPPY NEW YEAR! We have no plans yet. We tend to not make plans until the last minute since I have no idea how I will feel. Robert is picking up a prime rib from the butchers today though. YUM!