Battling cancer is frustrating. It’s complicated. Cancer isn’t just one disease that acts a specific way, it’s many different creatures that have been categorized under a single umbrella. Different cancers, even different breast cancers, react differently to treatments. And each body reacts to the cancer and the available treatments differently.
I promised an update in an earlier post. Since then, I’ve hit a few bumps in the road. I’ve been stalling on writing this post because I don’t want this blog to turn into a venue for me to whine, but I’m also trying to provide a realistic look at what life with cancer is like – At least life with cancer for this one person.
I got my first dose of Taxol on August 9. The infusion went well and I came home feeling good. The trouble started after the Neulasta shot the next day. That was followed by extreme bone pain, especially in my legs. Pain so bad I ended up waddling like I did the last month of my pregnancy. My toes hurt, I had to wear flip-flops so nothing touched them. Then came the muscle aches. And on a Thursday evening, ten days after the Taxol infusion, I got hives. There were other side effects as well, but you get the picture.
Monday I went back in for the next round of Taxol and made a plan with my doctor for steps to mitigate the intensity of the side effects. I was ready to roll for round two. I wasn’t going to let anything get in the way of my battle with this disease.
Or so I thought.
Within the first five minutes of the Taxol infusion I felt a deep burning pain in my lower back. If you experienced back labor during childbirth, you know the intensity of this pain. The pain then worked it’s way up my spine and when it got to my neck, my throat started to swell up. Of course the nurses came running and my doctor was paged and showed up within a few minutes. The infusion was stopped and I was given Benedryl and Hydrocortisol and monitored to make sure the reaction stopped.
Then we started the Taxol again at a much slower pace. This is standard operating procedure. The idea is that I would be less likely to react to the Taxol if it goes in slower, especially after the Benedryl and Hydrocortisol. And for many patients receiving this chemotherapy, that is the case. A reaction is followed by a successful infusion and they proceed with the Taxol.
Yeah, that next dose didn’t work for me either. This time the reaction was quicker, but less severe. Just hives all over the place.
So Taxol is off the table. We are back to the drawing board. I have another appointment with my doctor to discuss other treatment plans that may work well for me.
We’re still fighting. I haven’t given up. I just have to find a new weapon to battle this beast.
I am a new follower… Found you through Wordless Wednesday last week…
You are in my prayers! The doctor will find a treatment that will work for you! Just keep faith!
[Reply]
That stinks. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
(I wanted to say something clever or smart, but I am running late for work and I can’t find the words I want. My heart broke when I read this though and I wanted to send some comment love anyway…even if I can’t find the right words)
Eat More Chicken
[Reply]
My dear friend, I think you’re more than entitled to whine if you want to. And what better place than here with friends. We’re all with you. I’m here with love, hugs, and prayers. I’d be right there holding your hand and rubbing your aching muscles if I could. I’m so sorry things aren’t going as the doctors planned. I’m so glad to hear that your spirits are still high and that your will to continue is still present.
Love,
Weezer
What it was- was football 1953
[Reply]
I found your blog through MBC and I agree whine if you need to but I am not sure if I would even classify it as whining. Cancer does suck it is a monster and treatment is awful at times and I think sharing the yuckiness of it is just the plain truth of living with cancer. I don’t say that with first hand knowledge as I do not have cancer but I am living with the battle daily as my son is battling a Medulloblastoma (cancerous brain tumor) You are an amazing woman and in my thoughts and prayers.
Hope and peace,
Cheryl
Joels Birthday
[Reply]
Judy Schwartz Haley Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 2:18 pm
Thank you Cheryl
best wishes to your son, too
[Reply]
Here I was thinking I was having a bad day, and then I read this. I am so sorry… you are in my thoughts and prayers. I’m running a 5K in October for breast cancer; hoping to raise lots of money to help slay this beast.
[Reply]
You are certainly in my prayers, but I say wine all you want. Whose blog is this? YOURS! Whoever doesn’t want to read it, can kiss it where the sun doesn’t shine. You be strong!
[Reply]
How frustrating to have to test out different things to find the one that finally works! All the best to you and I hope your next treatment goes well.
[Reply]
You can complain all you want. I am so sorry you had to deal with all of that and I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Cancer sucks!!!!!
Wednesday Blog Hops and WAHM Chaos
[Reply]
I love how you are giving all you got to write about this. For someone going through this or fixing to, it is going to be a big help to get the brutal truth about it all.
Went to the Dentist!
[Reply]
I hope they have a great solution for you, an awesome tool that kicks cancer’s butt!
I and my long hair are rooting for you. Every time I consider cutting it off, I think of you.
Bad photography
[Reply]
Judy Schwartz Haley Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 2:19 pm
you rock!
[Reply]
Personally, I don’t see this as whining. It’s venting. And heaven knows when faced with an evil beast like cancer, you have to get this stuff off your chest so you can fight the fight. Vent and whine.
I’m sorry the Taxol was a bust. Especially because it was a painful bust.
Written Proof
[Reply]
I’m with Draft Queen – vent away. You’ve got enough to carry around without keeping all that inside as well. Have my fingers crossed that you find your new weapon soon.
When the going gets tough- stay on your bike
[Reply]
May you find something that works for you. It’s so true that each body is different and reacts differently. I had a similar problem with my treatment. I kept ending up in the hospital after chemo and I got to where I felt like I needed to go to the bathroom all the time. I could go empty my bladder and the feeling was still there, it never went away and it was horrible. Thankfully we tried something else that did not cause that problem. I hope you find something else that will eat up those cancer cells and leave you feeling more like yourself.
Cedar Waxwing couple
[Reply]
You’re such a trooper. Props to you sistah for sharing with us! Hang in there and kick this thing in the ass. ♥
Ladies & gentlemen of the juryI present to you- Eggs-hibit A
[Reply]
Hi Judy,
I say whine all you want. In the meantime, I’ll be praying for you.
((hugs))
Call Me A Hypocrite
[Reply]
Still thinking of you daily! Stay strong and fight hard!
Beginnings
[Reply]
Judy this sounds just awful! I’m glad the doctors were able to figure out your reaction. I hope they are able to get your meds worked out and get the battle with the beast underway!
I Love Charleston!
[Reply]
Judy Schwartz Haley Reply:
September 2nd, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Thanks Sydney,
We’re starting a new chemo on Tuesday and we should be back on track in no time.
Judy
[Reply]
Oh, lady. My mother-in-law has suffered the ache of Nulasta, and I sat by her side as they adjusted her dosage. She was lucky, if you can call it that, not to have a negative reaction to her treatments at a slower rate of infusion.
My heart is with you!
Room at the inn
[Reply]
Thank you for posting this great blog. Check out mine!
[Reply]