My chemotherapy treatment started on the 6th of December 2021, it will consist of 6 courses, each course is 4 weeks long. The first 3 weeks of a course I will do intravenous chemotherapy once a week and take the trial drug in tablet form twice a day for four days after my chemo session. The 4th week of a course is recovery week, no chemo session or trial drugs are taken, allowing my body time to recover before the start of the next course. The treatment is expected to take 6 months and by the end of it I would have had 18 sessions of chemotherapy.
Round 1 of chemotherapy done and dusted
Chemo = 0 Deirdre = 1
I get very tired from chemo but learning to just take it easy and nap when necessary. Mild headaches come and go and hot flushes are a real thing, but all in all, first course has gone well.
Since the start of my treatment, I now have high cholesterol which we manage with medication. The end of course 1 was also when the hair loss started.
The experience is weird as you are waiting for it to get really bad, but also thankful it has not. Looking forward to my week off and recovering before course 2.
Chemo Week in a Nutshell
Chemotherapy days are generally a whole day affair, by the time I am home I literally have to just chill on the couch as I am exhausted. From chemo I permanently have a metallic drug taste in my mouth, it does not matter what you eat or drink it does not go away for at least two days. The evening of a chemo day is generally when the reflux starts, and normally a bad night’s sleep.
Day after chemo is a chill day as the body is exhausted, reflux is ongoing, hot flushes come and go, and my tummy is very unpredictable and bloated. This is also a very immune compromised day so normally always at home. Much of my time in fact since the start of my treatment is spent at home, in this way COVID was great as it prepared us for being home bound and cautious.
My body as a whole is sore, my muscles ache and I permanently feel like I am stiff from over exercising.
As the chemo tends to affect my gut the most I suffer with pains in my chest and right arm frequently. My energy levels stay low for the whole week and normally by day 4 diarrhoea kicks in which zaps my remaining energy resulting in very slow days.
Chemo Fog or Chemo brain is a real thing, I do not so much forget where I put things but have noticed my brain does not remember words or names of things from time to time and I therefore struggle to use the right words. I still feel lucky though, as I talk to other patients and hear some of their chemo side-effects, mine seem mild in comparison.
***Good News Alert***
Course 3 marks the halfway mark of the 6-course treatment, WOOHOO!!!
Got the results from my progress CT scan and the breast tumour has started reducing. Even more exciting is the reduction of the liver lesions as there was uncertainty here how much the drugs would affect this.
So, yay for the drugs we are seeing positive results.
We have good days and bad days, but the sun does shine again, and we hold onto the happier moments. Progress scans show an overall 43% reduction of the lesions, makes the tired body, tummy troubles and all the other side-effects worth it when we are achieving
Finding a vein to use is becoming harder and harder, you can see in week 14 we had to utilise the left arm as the right arm veins are disappearing or collapsing. Thankfully, we are nearing the end.
Milestone Achieved!!!
Let us recap, 6 courses/18 sessions of chemotherapy completed. Progress scans show that we have seen an overall reduction of 44% which indicates the body is responding to the treatment.
Big shout out to my treatment nurse Gladys
who is always so friendly and caring,
but also, my fabulous photographer.
Highlights
The journey has had some great highlights and once again due to the amazing cheerleading squad surrounding me. The endless messages of encouragement I receive daily, the flowers, delicious meals we have received, girl’s pickups from school, lunches out and visits all brighten my day and remind me we are not alone in this journey.
THANK YOU!
The best highlight though has got to be my chemo buddies, on chemo days I love the endless chats and conversations of the day. Thanks to every one of you for taking the time and making chemo days good days, your support is priceless.
What’s Next
Overall, the 6 courses of chemotherapy have not been a walk in the park, but my body has responded positively. Based on this the trial team and oncologist would like to continue with the chemotherapy and the trial drug.
The recommendation is another 6 courses/18 sessions of chemo, provided my body continues to cope and we continue to see responsiveness on the lesions.
I am tired physically and emotionally, I can feel the effects of 6 months of drugs taking its toll, but I keep reminding myself it is working. As long as we are killing the cancer it will all be worth it in the end.
6 Responses
Hi, reading your story is like a replica of my journey. I wish you well and being brave enough to put your whole journey for all to read. I’m sure this will help so many people on their journey through treatment.
Thank you so much Merrilyn for the kind words and encouragement. I appreciate you taking the time to read, comment and appreciate the relevance to your own journey.
U are one strong woman n keep pushing I know u gona make it thru, lots n lots of love from me to u ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😘😘😘😘😘😘From your Photographer
Ahhh Gladys my fabulous photographer and encouraging treatment nurse. Thank you for you comment and taking the time to read, but above all “Thank You” for your kindness in the Chemotherapy room and always putting a smile on all our faces. You make this tough journey a little bit easier.
Hi Deidre,
Wow! Your journey is dotted with amazing blessings of positivity and a team of professionals who have guided you through this life’s journey ❤️🩹
I like the term Cheerleader’s, I referred to my tribe as my Army 🎉
I trust that your final chemo journey has rewarded you with defeating the vile disease 🦠 and may you and your family revel in the success of you FIGHT 🙏
Your a brave Warrior and HERO 💖💖💖
Thank you so much Padi for the kind words and encouragement.
I appreciate you taking the time to read, comment and appreciate the relevance to your own journey. Army or Cheerleader’s we are so blessed to not have to walk this journey alone.
Take care warrior.