After the disappointment of having my treatment delayed, I took opportunity to use the week to take care of myself. I went to a sunset yoga class with 5 Under 40 (5under40.org), did acupuncture, took a Pilates class and celebrated Father’s Day feeling great.
Day 1, Treatment Day (Tuesday): On June 18th, I walked into NYU feeling healthy and ready (and also a little anxious). I quickly had my bloodwork and then waited to meet with my oncologist. My oncologist was happy with the improvement in my blood work and I was cleared to start chemo (Yes!!!). We discussed the side effects that I should expect with the Taxol and the decision to add Carboplatin to 4 of the Taxol treatments. Overall, it seems like the Taxol should be easier to handle than the AC but we’ll see!
My favorite nurse was waiting for me in my chemo cubicle. She explained to me that even though the Taxol side effects will be easier to manage, the actual treatments will feel different. I will be getting Benadryl with the Taxol which will make me feel very sleepy during the treatments and I need to make sure I have someone to bring me home after.
The actual treatment was shorter than the AC but I slept almost the whole time. I hated how sleepy the Benadryl made me feel and was anxious to get into my bed when the treatment was over.
I stayed in bed for the rest of the afternoon but was able to come out of the bedroom to help get the boys to sleep, have dinner with Matt, and hang out. Matt and I got into bed at the same time but I wasn’t feeling sleepy yet so I started to read. Without realizing, I read straight until 4:30 in the morning. I guess the strength of the steroids outweighed the Benadryl! I probably should have taken an Ativan at bedtime to help me sleep, oops!
Day 2 (Wednesday): Since I didn’t get any sleep the night before, I was exhausted in the morning. I spent most of the morning in bed resting but by the afternoon I felt pretty good. I went out for lunch, got my nails done and felt really normal. No other side effects other than mild fatigue.
Day 3 (Thursday) and beyond: Overall, it seems like the first Taxol treatment was extremely tolerable. I left on Thursday morning for my friend Lisa’s bachelorette party in the Hamptons. I only stayed for one night but I was happy that I was able to go at all. I couldn’t party the way that I wanted to, but it was nice to celebrate my friend and spend time with all of the important people in Lisa’s life. Over the weekend, Matt, the boys and I went to our friends’ beach house on the Jersey Shore. Aidan and Cooper had a blast playing with their friends and I was so happy that I was able to witness it.
Chemo Status:
1 Taxol down, 11 to go!
I know that the treatments are supposed to compound and get worse over time, but if this first treatment is any indication, I think I’ll be okay.
#shaystrong 