After 2 weeks in Woodstock, it was time to go back to reality and head back to the city for chemo. Matt and I left Woodstock on Monday night after the boys were asleep so that we would be able to wake up in the city on Tuesday morning.

Day 1, Treatment Day (Tuesday): Matt and I had a early morning breakfast date at Joe Jr. and walked to NYU together. Walking in to NYU I was feeling nervous and anxious. Health wise, I felt totally fine, but after last week’s delay, and driving 2 hours back from Woodstock, I was nervous that I wouldn’t get cleared for treatment. Waiting for my bloodwork to come back was torture. I held my breath until finally my oncologist said that everything looked fine and I would be able to be treated today – YES!

Actual treatment was long but uneventful. Lots of icing of hands and feet to hopefully prevent the itching and neuropathy. Between icing I was able to finish the string bracelet that I started in Woodstock and caught up on some stupid TV shows. This treatment included both Taxol and Carboplatin which added time to the length of the infusion and may add some more uncomfortable side effects- hopefully not too bad.

After treatment, Matt and I ate turkey sandwiches in the car and drove straight back to Woodstock. We took the boys to the playground, went out for Chinese food and had a normal afternoon.

Day 2 (Wednesday): Matt took Aidan to camp this morning, Cooper spent the morning with Arefa, and I spent most of the day in bed resting. By the late afternoon I was feeling a little better and we took the boys to the Woodstock Farmers Market and out to our favorite restaurant in the area. I went to sleep early but wasn’t feeling so horrible.

Day 3 (Thursday): Today we left our Woodstock house and went to the Emerson hotel for the weekend. Usually by day 3 I am feeling pretty much back to normal, but I guess the Carboplatin is leaving more lingering effects. It was a little too much for me packing up the house and getting us ready for the hotel but I was able too get it done (with a lot of help from Matt!). I am still feeling very tired but I’m trying to push through. We had a very early dinner with the boys at Emerson and the whole family was in bed before 8pm.

Day 4 (Friday): After an early breakfast at Phoenicia Diner, I was feeling really exhausted and run down. Matt took the boys and let me rest in the room. I was really frustrated that I wasn’t able to participate in the morning activities but I needed to listen to my body. By the afternoon, I felt much better.

Thankfully the only side effect I continue to experience is fatigue. The itching is being kept under control by the antihistamines and I am feeling pretty good.

Chemo Status:

4 Taxol down, 8 to go!

When I start with a “Part 1”, you know there is going to be an issue. Well, it’s another delay. The worst part about not getting treated this time is: (a) I felt 100% fine going into treatment (b) We already planned to skip next week’s treatment because we are going to be away in Woodstock (c) Every delay pushes the finish line farther and farther away. Ugh.

Day 0 (Monday): The day before my 4th treatment, I got into bed around noon to take a nap. All of a sudden, my feet started to itch uncontrollably. I have never experienced such an uncomfortable feeling. It would not go away. I stuck my feet in a freezing cold bath and was scratching them with a hairbrush. It was unbearable.

Finally, I took to Google and learned that itchy feet is related to neuropathy. I called my doctor and she instructed me to take an antihistamine and said that we would discuss other options the next day during our appointment.

Day 1, Treatment Day (Tuesday): I walked into NYU feeling totally confident. I went for my bloodwork and waited for my oncologist. During our appointment we talked about the itching. She tested different spots on my hands and feet for numbness and tingling. Thankfully, I haven’t been experiencing any numbness but the bouts of itchiness have been very uncomfortable. She told me to continue taking the antihistamine and prescribed a topical steroid cream to try.

Then, she looked over my bloodwork and said, “your neutrophil count is low.” I asked what that meant and she said, “You wont be getting treated today.” I sunk in my chair. She explained that neutrophils are an indicator for my body’s immunity and that even though I feel great, my immunity is low. If I did get chemo, I would probably develop an infection and end up in the hospital – not good.

I felt extremely disappointed and frustrated, and, of course, started to cry.

Every treatment delay pushes the finish line farther and farther away. I am trying to power through this but it is not always easy. I understand that delays in treatment are normal but they are still annoying.

On the bright side: I was able to pick up Aidan from camp and spent the afternoon with Aidan and Cooper playing in the sprinklers. We are leaving later in the week to spend some time in Woodstock and now I will probably feel great for the trip!

Day 1, Treatment Day (Tuesday): Another routine treatment, followed by a quick nap and a long walk around the neighborhood. Nothing eventful or out of the ordinary. I was able to fall asleep without much trouble – huge win.

Day 2 (Wednesday): I woke up feeling great again (yay!). Aidan slept at my parent’s house the night before so I spent the morning with Cooper. We walked Matt to work, walked through the Union Square Farmer’s Market and shared a bagel in Gramercy Park – all before 9am. Other than our morning adventures, I didn’t really do much. I wanted to make sure to have a very relaxing day as I had my friend’s wedding that night.

Getting ready for the wedding was much different than usual. I didn’t have to set aside time to do my hair, as my wig was already styled. Usually, I don’t care as much about my make-up but now that I don’t have a full set of eyebrows or eyelashes, having my make-up done was more important to me. Vain problems, but problems nonetheless.

Matt and I had a great time at the wedding. Rachel and Josh were glowing. The ceremony was on a gorgeous rooftop in Brooklyn and we danced all night.

Day 3 (Thursday) and beyond: So grateful that Aidan & Cooper slept at Matt’s mom’s house. Matt and I were exhausted after a night of dancing and were relieved to not have to wake up with the boys at 6am. We had a super lazy morning before heading to NJ for a 4th of July BBQ with family. We spent the rest of the weekend hanging in NYC and Great Neck.

It’s funny how other than a few sentences about taking naps and not having eyebrows or eyelashes, the whole post is really just a play-by-play of my normal life. I often forget that I even have cancer. Thankfully, I have been able to keep going with most of my normal activities and have felt healthy enough to do so 🙂

Chemo Status:

3 Taxol down, 9 to go!

1 more treatment before we are off to Woodstock!