Today marks my halfway point of chemo – I will be taking my fourth of eight chemo treatments and it is the last of the “Red Devil” Adriamyacin/Cytoxin drugs. I met with my oncologist last week and he said that when I switch over to Taxol for the last four treatments that I should find some relief with the nausea, but I will still battle the fatigue.
I’ve been pretty lucky so far with the side effects from chemo. The doctors told me I could bank on nausea, hair loss and fatigue, but there were 20 other things that may or may not happen. I had the blood clot and have had only one or two other side effects that have been easily managed with drugs, so I think I’m doing okay, thankfully.
The hardest side effect for me has been the fatigue. The nausea sucks, but I think we’ve been able to get a good combination of drugs that have helped quite a bit, but still doesn’t let me eat very much. I’ve been trying to work throughout this whole process and I’ve realized I can’t do what I used to be able to do. The company I work for is going to work with me and let me work a few days from home each chemo cycle. This will help rest my body more (not commuting, going to meetings, etc., and keeping my body still as much as possible), while keeping my mind occupied. I love my job and want to work because I think it’s good for me.
However, this poses a problem with next week. Next week is race week, one of the most fast and furious weeks at work each year. Race week consists actually of 11 days, as the race falls on the weekend and we work the week after the race through Thursday. All I know is I can’t work 11 days straight. Heck, right now, I can’t even do five days straight after chemo. The other concern is the actual race weekend. I’m not sure if I will even be able to be at the race now. I thought I was going to be able to, but now I’ve got concerns. If I work race weekend, I will come in contact with hundreds of people, who will be coming in from all over the country. One of the things chemo does is weaken your immune system. I’m concerned about all the people that I would talk to, those that would want to hug me, shake my hand, let me know they care about me. As much as that would help me emotionally, will it make me susceptible to getting sick? My mom has a neighbor who has breast cancer and she was in the hospital last week because she caught a cold. The last thing I want to do is get sick on top of all of this and with all the recent reports of the flu going around, I’m not sure what to do. I see my doctor today and I’m going to ask his opinion. He will also be checking my white and red blood cell count to let me know how susceptible to infection I am and that will probably determine the decision.
I am also sad to be missing my 20 year high school reunion this weekend. It would be so great to see all my friends, but I guess it is just not in the cards for me this year.
On a positive note, after having a horrible start to my last chemo treatment, I ended on a high note. The past four days (Sunday – Wednesday) were the best four days I’ve had since this whole journey started. I had great energy, I ate normal foods for a change and my friends I spoke to all said I sounded like the “old Marcy.” I ate a slice of cheese pizza once and even made a taco salad at home – I really miss Mexican food! So I am thankful for those few “good” days and hope there are more to come.
Wish me luck with this last “red devil” chemo. I am so glad it is the last one, but am anxious going in today as I know how bad it sucks. I will be recovering at home all weekend, and then go back to work Monday. I know work needs me there as much as possible with it being race week, but I’ve got to manage taking care of my body while being there as much as I can. That is weighing on my mind a lot and I’m trying to figure out how to manage both.
Next up, I meet with my breast surgeon on Sept. 9 to finalize the mastectomy date – which is slated for Nov. 17 right now and to select a plastic surgeon for my reconstruction surgery next year. I’ve got four big hurdles following chemo: the mastectomy surgery, 6 weeks of radiation, the ovaries/fallopian tubes surgery and the breast reconstruction surgery. My goal (based on my doctors’ timelines) is to have everything completed by June 1 next year. That way, I’ve given up one year of my life to this mess and I can move forward. It would also be nice to have boobs for the summer by the pool (grin).
Thanks to everyone’s continued support and well wishes. Celebrate we are halfway with chemo!
With love,
Marcy
Hang in there Marcy. The great thing about race week is that it goes by fast, and no matter what, the things that need to be done get done -- regardless of who is there to take care of it. When I was doing the deal at that little short track up here in Ohio for their Truck race, it was really easy to want to be involved in every phone call, every meeting, and every appearance until you realized you can't be at three places at once. I didn't have the staff that you do (haha, it was actually me and two interns!) and yet somehow it still got done. You have a wonderful staff in the media center to take care of people like me too. Atlanta was always one of my favorite stops on the Truck tour for that very reason; working out of the media center there was as nice as it gets and of course the press box view is second-to-none. Thanks for sharing your experiences...it should certainly help many of the people in our sport keep their priorities in place.
ReplyDeleteHang tough, sweetie! You're gonna make it, no matter how high the mountain peaks may seem at times.
ReplyDeleteKeep on keepin' on, Marcy! I know it's gonna be tough not being at the track, but things are in good hands with Lori -- everyone knows you'd do the same thing for anyone in racing if the situation was reversed; so focus on you and the rest will take care of itself!
ReplyDeleteMarcy--hang in there. Here's a (virtual) hug to let you know that a lot of us are standing with you in your struggles and wish for your speedy recovery. Can't wait to catch up with you to hear you rag on Cap't Herb again :-)
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