Chemo #1 and done!

The next phase of my adventure includes 4 treatments of TC (Taxotere and Cytoxan) chemo every 3 weeks. Today was treatment #1 and it went great. The side effects will likely happen over the course of the next few days, but as far as the actual infusion – everything went well.

Here’s how the day went:

• 9:00am – breakfast at Beatrix and a visit from a friend who works at the hospital (so fun catching up, thanks for stopping by, J!)
• 10:20am – bloodwork
• 11:00am – met with Dr Flaum’s (my oncologist’s) PA Gina who explained the process, answered questions, and checked me out to be sure everything looked good.
• 12:00pm – IV started in my arm (no port), added anti-nausea meds. Nurse Debbie was awesome – super thorough, nice, funny, and just made the entire day run smoothly.
• Chris passed out on the couch (he flew in from SF around 1am this morning)
• My sister in law Jessica came to visit and brought magazines and other stuff she knows I like 🙂
• Acupuncturist came to explain all the cool stuff she can do (for free!) during my treatments. Today, she simply put magnets on my wrists and ears for any anticipated nausea, anxiety or stress.
• 1:15pm – started Taxotere. I’ve been reading stories about women who had major allergic reactions and just hoping that wouldn’t be me. The nurse stayed in the room for the first 15-20 min to be sure my body didn’t have a serious reaction which also gave me some peace of mind.
• 2:30pm: had our fav chicken kale soup from Beatrix for lunch
• 2:45pm – started Cytoxan
• 2:50pm – Nurse Debbie applied an on-body Neulasta injector to my arm which automatically inserts a tiny tube so it can inject the medicine in 27 hours. Reminds me of the local anesthesia I had auto-dispensing inside of me after my surgery which was amazing. Before this device, you would have to go back to the hospital to get the Neulasta shot so this just makes for a better patient experience.
• 3:30pm – Chemo #1 DONE ✅

After much research, I’ve decided not to try the cold cap therapy and going to embrace going bald 👩‍🦲👍🏼. I’ll probably start to lose my hair over the next 2-3 weeks. Once that starts, I’ll shave it and start wearing some cute and maybe not-so-cute caps/hats. Will definitely post pics once that happens!

We’re planning to spend the weekend relaxing, but really bummed we are missing Dillon’s soccer tournament in St Louis. Thank you to our soccer family for looking after him and cheering extra loud to make up for Chris’ obnoxious voice.

Thanks to everyone who has cooked and dropped off such delicious food, sent cards, gifts, and so many thoughtful (and funny) emails and texts. I know I sound like a broken record, but we are so grateful for all the love and support.

❤️💪🏼😘

Beautiful view of Lake Michigan from the room.

I was nervous to have an IV vs. a port based on the horror stories (e.g. blowing veins), but everything went well today. Hoping my veins cooperate for 3 more times!

We’ll try to take this same selfie after each chemo treatment 😉