Hats!

There are people who knit and crochet hats that are given away for free to the patients at the Cancer Center. I love looking in the hat box everytime I'm there and picking out a new hat! There are also prayer shawls that people make also. Gilda's Club gives them away to members. I need to improve my crocheting skills so I can make things for people!

Cost of Care

As I sit here in the chair getting my IV drip of Cytoxan I was looking around and counting the other people here: there are 10 including me. The type of chemotherapy I'm getting consists of 3 drugs and costs over $10,000 for each treatment. The Neulasta injection that I get to boost blood cell production costs (if I read the bill correctly) over $7,000. Cancer is a serious money maker for hospitals.

Surgeon

Finally have an appointment with one of the women breast surgeons over at St. Mary's on Dec. 18. It took a while for my records to be faxed over but the nurse navigator helped get things moving along. I will be meeting with a nurse navigator at St. Mary's and also their financial aid guru. I heard he's great at finding grants and other forms of aid for people.

Back Again...

Had an appointment with my oncologist on Monday and I was supposed to have another round of chemo then. Oops! I thought I was done after 4. So I had it rescheduled to today. I need one more after this one. Apparently the ultrasound showed some improvement and six is the normal number of chemo treatments given. I was SO looking forward to having a good December with no treatments. Oh well....

This place is full of activity today! Met with the nurse navigator and the chaplain. Chatted with the patient in the next chair.

I didn't eat during treatment last time and felt nauseous right away even with the IV anti-nausea meds. I made sure to eat this time to see if that helps. I felt sick yesterday and actually threw up and turns out that's called "anticipatory vomiting". I have noticed that when I have blood drawn the smell from the tape they use makes me nauseous. Also, when my port is flushed with saline I get a metallic taste in my mouth. I have another anti-nausea drug to take along with the Compazine. It's called Zofran.

Stage 3b

The other day I searched online for survival statistics for stage 3b breast cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society site there is a 41% 5-year survival for that stage cancer. Not good. More worry.

Ultrasound today

I had my 4th chemo treatment on Nov. 19 and next up is surgery then radiation and more chemo.

I had an ultrasound today of both breasts and the lymph nodes in both armpits. I suspect there is something in my other (right) breast. The tech marked an area on the ultrasound screen and now I think I feel something. I won't have results til Fri. or Mon.

Neulasta

The day after my chemo treatment I go back in to the cancer center for an injection of a drug called Neulasta. The injection is given under the skin in the back of the arm between the elbow and shoulder. Small needle but a large amount of liquid so it does sting a bit. The drug helps to boost the production of white blood cells called neutrophils. When the white blood cell counts are low there is more of a risk for infection. The main side effect is bone pain. For me the bone pain starts at the back of my skull and neck, eventually my entire body aches. I have blood drawn for a complete blood count 10 days after each chemo treatment to check the levels of white cells, red cells and platelets.

Treatment #3

Sitting in the chair listening to someone's tv blasting Divorce Court. Otherwise quiet in here today. Only 3 patients.
I've had my anti-nausea drip and the steroids. Currently receiving 1st chemo drug.
I'm starving....

Always anxious that the numbing cream won't work and I'll feel the needle poke. I have to put the numbing cream over the port site an hour before treatment and then cover it with saran wrap to keep it in place.

Very glad I don't feel like I need to wear the wig here.

Hair

My hair is falling out. I wasn't sure how it would happen, if it would be a sudden thing like clumps of hair just falling off or blowing away. I noticed it first in the shower after washing my hair. While rinsing I felt something "crawl" down my back and legs and land by the drain. Then I had hair wrapped around my fingers and then I realized I could just tug on it or run my hands through it and end up with a handful of hair. I've been pulling it out all week. I have probably left hair all over the city. I'm getting to the point where I should shave it because it's getting thin.
Went for a wig today at the Women's Health Boutique. The American Cancer Society has wig banks that offer free wigs and the Women's Health Boutique is part of the program. Sara, one of the fitter's there was very nice and helpful. She brought out several wigs for me to try and answered any questions I had. She tried to match my hair color and length. I decided on a short light brown wig of human hair that looks very similar to my hair (except for the feathering which my hair would never do!). I also got to pick out some free hats. It's nice that people make hats to donate to the program.

Chemo treatment

The cancer center has several recliner type chairs in a large room for patients to try to relax while receiving treatment. An hour before treatment I had to put the numbing cream on the skin above the port and cover it with saran wrap to keep it in place. The nurse cleaned the area and then stuck the IV needle into the the port (no pain). The treatment took about 3 hours. I got very sleepy about halfway into it. Patients are allowed to eat, watch tv, read, listen to music, talk...whatever. After treatment was complete the nurse removed the needle (painful, and there was a sucking sound as it came out of the port). Took antinausea meds that night and in the morning.

Next day, I went for an injection of a drug (possibly called Neulasta?) to help increase the production of white blood cells. Injection was given on the back side of my right arm, under the skin. Since the WBCs are produced in the bone marrow the main side effect of the drug is severe bone pain. A couple of days later I experienced a back ache with most of the pain in the lower back.

Chemotherapy drugs

1) Docetaxel--trade name: Taxotere

Part of a group of drugs called taxanes that affect cell mitosis. Stops the growth of cancer cells causing the cells to die.

Antinausea medication is given before the Taxotere.

Lowers blood counts (white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets).
Can lower white cell count ~~9 days after it is given causing risk of infection.

Lowers platelet counts increasing risk of bleeding.

Side effects:
-decreased WBC count
-decreased platelet count
-hair thinning or loss
-loss of appetite
-nausea
-vomiting
-nail changes
-mouth sores

2) Doxorubicin hydrochloride--trade name Adriamycin

Part of a group of drugs called anthracycline antibiotics that stop growth of cancer cells causing the cells to die.

Pretty red color which then causes urine to become red for 1-2 days.

Also lowers blood counts especially WBCs 10-14 days after drug is given. Can cause severe nausea and vomiting.

Side effects:
-lowered WBC count
-lowered platelet count
-loss of appetite
-darkening of nail beds and skin creases of hands
-hair loss
-nausea
-vomiting
-mouth sores

3) Cyclophosphamide--trade name Cytoxan

Part of a group of drugs called alkylating agents that stop the growth of cancer cells causing them to die.

Can lower blood counts especially WBC 1 to 2 weeks after drug is given.

Side effects:
-decreased WBC count
-hair loss
-nausea
-vomiting
-loss of appetite
-mouth sores
-diarrhea
-acne
-darkening of nail beds

Port-A-Cath

A device about the size of a quarter that is placed under the skin on the chest just below the clavicle (inch long incision). The catheter leads to the superior vena cava vessel of the heart. I can feel the port and the catheter under my skin. Used to administer chemo.

Port requires numbing cream before chemo so I can't feel the needle through the skin above the port.

Hospital prodedures

9/13/2012

1) MRI of brain
2) Bone scan
3) Placement of Port-a-cath (sick from anesthesia)

9/27/2012

1) Ultrasound of lymph nodes in right armpit
2) Biopsy of 2 largest lymph nodes (rather painful!)

Type

Diagnosis:

1) Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, stage 3
2) Nuclear grade 3
3) Estrogen Receptors: Positive
4) Progesterone Receptors: Positive
5) HER-2/NEU: not overexpressed (score 0)