Red Devil
On Monday, I'll be introduced to The Red Devil aka Adriamycin. It is nicknamed that because it is red. It will also make me pee red/pink. It is said to be very potent .... oooo, can't wait. Info




I will also be introduced to cyclophosphamide, brand name Cytoxan. So, it will be 4 infusions of those 2 drugs then 4 infusions of Taxol or Taxotere; this I heard is the one that may make me lose my eyelashes and eye brows. So, I guess, after 12 weeks of Red Devil, and being bald, the Taxotere, finishes it off by getting rid of the rest of my facial hair. I wonder if it will kill those hearty chin hairs that feel like rope... um.

I've also read that if the IV leaks that I am to let the nurse know asap because the Adrizmycin (Red Devil) is harmful to your skin. Oh great, I can't get this ON my skin, but it's ok to put it directly into a vein? Oh, did I mention the potential mouth sores and swelling tongue...This is the drug I needed the MUGA scan for becuase it can also damage the heart muscle. Good thing my heart is healthy.
FAQ

Babushkah's
I haven't heard back from the wig shop if they have the wig in the style and color I want. However, I wasn't too thrilled with it, so I'm not going to follow up. Maybe I should just force myself to wear scarves, hats, or nothing.

After reading message boards re breast cancer and chemo and various issues after patient's first chemo, and biting off two nails (sorry Lorelie) I started to panic and not feeling very "organized" when it comes to head coverings. So, I googled (isn't google great), "head scarves" and came up with Headscraves.com and ordered three. I also noticed at this site they have some hats with hair (augh!) and other "intersting" stuff. Wow, guess my 'blog may get interesting with all this new stuff I'm learning.

I was considering about buying some nice silk fabric from EOS which by the way, has very nice fabrics and who's owner is very nice, but since I'm not sure how big or how a scarf really works, I decided to order one (or 3 as the case may be) to see how it works, how they look, and how much fabric I'd need. I got a nice gift certificate from EOS (thanks Ann), so I think I may use that for some nice silk - when I wear it I can think of her.

Babushkah is the term my grandma used for scarves, so that's where that came from. Galoshes was the term used for your rain boots --- "Hey go put on your babushkah and galoshes".

Treatments Ricky, Treatments
Topic: July 2005
Ok, now for the scoop on my doc appt yesterday.
First off, the doc is very nice; I am very happy with the facility and doc. He talks to me and listens.

All my tests came back "normal". So, as the doc says, no more surprises. My heart is good, bones, blood, etc., is all good. phew.... so I guess that means I get the full-on cancer attack medications?

The doc's big question was, the MICROmetatisis. Does that mean lymph node positive or negative? And after discussing with his collegues, there is no answer. A few years ago, the nodes would have came back "negative", but the tests are more advanced now and can see the "micros". So, we decided (and yes, that is a "we") that if I'm gonna go through this may as well do it right and do the treatment as if it were lymphnode positive. Which means, an additional medication and an additional 4 treatments.

So, my first chemo is Monday @ 2:30PM (that way I can go to work in the morning - I know, I'm way too responsible). I will not need a "port" since I have good veins.
port info
I go back the following Monday for a blood draw and so the doc can check me. This will go on for 8 treatments. So, 24 weeks of chemo; then 6 weeks of radiation. I'm already planning my vacation for week 31!

He will give me meds for nausea and said that if I do not feel nauseated during the first few days, I won't. He didn't give me any indication of how I'd feel, but I think that is because everyone is different, and he doesn't want to fill my head with ideas.

So, the "day" is getting closer, not sure how I'll feel, I'm hoping for the best and plan on working and living a regular life during that time. I've calculated that by next summer, my hair should be about 2" long Woo-hoo!

Oh, and in case you haven't noticed, I added a "topics" list to the left of this page, where I sorted out the entries by month and will add a few more - like the new one 100 things about me. So, if you just click on the topic, you can go back to previous months, or learn more about me.

Wigs ....
Topic: July 2005
Well, had my doc appt and wig appt today. Those wigs are friggen ugly. It is like Barbie doll hair; all fluffy and the colors are so unnatural. I ordered the "Betsy" in some sort of blonde, golden, red thing - it was either that or some ashy thing. It is about shoulder length with a flippy-up-do. They will style it and cut it to my "taste". I kinda liked the "Amanda", but it was a lot longer and I thought that length may be too hot for summer. It would look terrible in a pony tail, so wearing it down all day was my only option. But the colors on those things are terrible! I was having flash backs to my Barbie days when I used to cut and style their hair and put pins in their ears for earrings. Augh! I think a bald head with a hat or even w/o hat may even look better than those cranial prostesis. I ordered a wig contingent on the fact that it comes in the color I liked, or at least could tolerate. What's the point of getting a good "cut", if the color is off. Well, all the colors are "off", but I was trying to get something that may look natural at least after a few drinks!

I saw this attached Barbie fridge magnet at my sister's and thought it was very similar to today's experience.





Oh and here's Barbie and her "permanent" wig Now, if I had that figure, a wig wouldn't even be noticed, much less a bald head! But since I have never had those measurements, I need to think about my hair.

So, the remainder of the afternoon, while waiting for my doc appt., I looked around at the other chemo/cancer patients and tried to see who was wearing a wig. And, well.. it was pretty obvious. As my niece said, wigs don't have the "swing" and the move of real hair. It just sits on your head. Oh, the "wig" lady brought out a few of those short "mom" look wigs, and I was like, ah, no. Next! My sister went with me and she ended up buying a hat. Maybe she'll let me borrow it! She also reminded me to keep the wig away from my cats, boy wouldn't they have fun tearing those up.. they already think my bras are a treat!


I found "Bailey" and "Amanda"

Things you may not have known:
Topic: 100 Things about me