Round 7 - Ding!

Today was round 7 of my chemo treatments (just one more to go). Everything was smooth sailing - we only had to wait about 10 minutes to get in.

I found out that they have dropped the Herceptin infusion time down from 1. 5 hours to 30 minutes. So that cut off an hour from the day which was great. We were home by 3:45.

Since I had a reaction to the Herceptin the first time around, when they gave me the 30 minute infusion today they still gave me the Benadryl and Hydracortisone. Next time they are going to drop the Hydracortisone and see what happens. If I don't have a reaction, then the next time they will drop the Benadryl.

They have found that even people who had a reaction to the Herceptin loading dose the first time, haven't had subsequent reactions later on, even with the 30 minute infusion. I was quite pleased with this since I have to continue the Herception until October 2007. The less time I have to spend in the chemo suite the better!

As you all know, Sean has been using his vacation time from work to take me to my chemo appointments. During our last chemo treatment in early November I turned to Sean and said "So how are you enjoying your vacation so far?" Too funny.

So this time we decided to spice up our vacation a little bit......please see photos below. We have entitled them "Wish You Weren't Here!".

Note - as Julie so aptly put it tonight on the phone...."Only you can make chemo funny!" Enjoy.

Love CJ

New Hair Loss

Here we go again with the hair loss.

I noticed on Friday that my hair was thinning again at the front of my head (not that there was much there). I guess the Taxol is starting to do it's job. So I've decided to go commando and stop using my scarves. Perhaps this will cut down on the wear and tear on my head. We'll see.

My eyebrows are pretty much non-existent, except for the light peach fuzz, and my eyelashes are mostly gone. I just have very thin, light eyelashes so they are very hard to see.

And for the curious, chemo does give you a free Brazilian. Enough said.

I'm starting to feel a bit like a hairless cat. Ah, wouldn't that be the life?

Love CJ

Cleared for Take-off

Today I was escorted to the Cancer Clinic by one of our family friends, Judy. Who knew the Cancer Clinic could be so much fun?

Upon our arrival at 8:00 a.m. I checked into Clinic 2 to get my blood work paper work. Then off to the chemo suite to let them know that I had arrived. They took me in 5 minutes early and we were out of there by 8:30.

Judy and I were thrilled to find out that today was the day of the Christmas Craft Show at the Cancer Clinic. So we spent our waiting time doing some shopping.

We were just heading down for a coffee when my pager went off (5 minutes early again) to meet with the doctor. We met with a Nurse Practitioner as well as a student Nurse Practitioner. The appointment took about 30 minutes as the student wanted to go through my story right from the beginning.

My blood work was good so I'm all set for round 7 on Monday.

I can't believe that in just over 3 weeks the chemo will be over.

Love CJ

Feeling Good

Now that I have been through this second round of new drugs, I think I can say that they are better than the first.

I don't seem to have the same amount of fatigue. I have more energy which makes me feel better. My hair is growing quite a bit which is also a good thing.

The only downside is the aches and pains for 4 days which I can handle as they haven't been too debilitating. Oh yeah and the weight gain. These drugs seem to help out in that area....not that I really need help! Hopefully in the new year I'll be able to focus on that obstacle.

What's life without obstacles though, eh? Pretty boring I guess.

Love CJ

Eyebrows

My latest dilemma is the eyebrows. I have never plucked my eyebrows so I was hoping that this would go in my favour.

All of my dark eyebrows have fallen out, leaving light peach fuzzy eyebrows. So what to do? Go around with barely there eyebrows or use an eyebrow pencil and draw a line through the peach fuzz?

Since I don't wear much makeup anyway, I think I'll go with the minimalist look for now.

So if you see me around and think I look ridiculous then you might as well let me know. I can always try the eyebrown pencil!

Love CJ

Elton John

I always find it helpful to have plans the night before a chemo session. And this week was no expection. I did it up fine with my friend Sandy at the Elton John concert.

Elton was just amazing. He sang and played piano from 8:00 p.m. - 10:40 p.m. He even let the band take a quick break just before the encore and he came out and signed autographs to those lucky people in the front row. What a show man. Hands down one of the best concerts I have ever seen!

The song, The Bridge, from his new album was dedicated to Jenny, a close associate of 30 years, who suffered an aneurysm the same day as the concert and is fightin for her life, John said. "I just hope that she is able to cross "that bridge" so I can see her again when I get home, " he said.

Elton put on such an amazing show you never would have imagined that he probably didn't feel like going on, but as they say in show biz, the show must go on. A good life moto I'd say.

One my friends from work, Donna Swanson, has kindly agreed to let me post a few of her photos of the concert to share with everyone. Thanks, Donna!

Enjoy!

Love CJ

Round 6 - Ding!

One more down and two to go!

Sean and I headed to the cancer clinic and arrived at around 8:45 a.m. We waiting about 5 minutes and then were ushered in quickly (sorry Kim).

I found out that since I had a bad reaction to the Herceptin I was to have Benedryl and Hydrocortisone ahead of the Hertceptin. Then I was to have Benedryl (again), Renitadine (Zantac) and Stemetil ahead of the Taxol. So this prolonged the process even more. I was hooked up to one of these drugs until 4:30 p.m. What a day!

I ended up sleeping for about 30 minutes in the morning. Mom and Kim came to visit me which also helped past the time. In the afternoon I slept for almost 3 hours (well dozed), likely the effect of two doses of Benedryl. Sean watched movies and didn't leave my side for most of the day. He's so awesome and my pillar of strength.

I am glad that this one is behind me. For some reason the past 3 weeks have really dragged. Perhaps it was the bad weather. But alas I am down to only two more so psychologically this is a good thing.

Sean is going to take a few pictures during the next chemo so we can share how we are spending his vacation days together. Ha, ha!

All things being equal, I'd rather be in Hawaii, Australia or Ireland. Whichever.

Love CJ

Round 6 is a Go!

Yesterday, Marilyn and I went to the cancer clinic to have my blood tests done and meet with the doctor. Dr. Potvin is going on maternity leave for 7 months, so I will be seeing various doctors in her absence.

We arrived at 8:45 a.m. and they called me in about 5 minutes later to take my blood. My appointment with the doctor was scheduled for 9:45 a.m. and we got in around 10:15 a.m. So overall not too bad.

My blood tests came back and all is well, so I am ready for round 6 on Tuesday.

But first, I'll be off to the Elton John concert on Monday. I can't wait.

Love CJ

Happy Halloween!

I don't have much new to report except that my eyebrows are almost gone. I still have my eyelashes, but I think they are next on the chopping block.

Here are a couple of pictures of our little fairy princess from Halloween...

Happy Halloween!

Love CJ