Round 2 – in the books.

So all my blood work from Wednesday was acceptable and I went for my second round of Chemotherapy today. For any interested in the specifics, it is Epirubicin and Cyclophosphomide. This link provides some information about this, but remember not everyone gets all the side effects, but they have to list them anyway. I am also given IV steroid and antiemetic (anti nausea) mediations as well as fluids on the day of my chemo to help alleviate any immediate side effects. I continue some oral medications through the first week as well. So it is a bit difficulty to know if any side effects are from the chemo or from the medication to keep me from having side effects from the chemo 🤷🏻‍♀️. My cycle is 21 days and the plan is for 4 cycles of EC and then 12 weeks of Taxane +/- Carboplatin. This link has a different schedule that what has been proposed. Mine is planned for weekly at a lower dose rather than 3 weekly as there has been shown to be at least as good effectiveness and less side effects. Additionally, I am given an injection – Filgrastim, to give at home (I have trained Ezra for this job – those who know Matt well, understand why this is not falling to him 😝💉🤢.)

In other news, I guess I have a ‘chemo outfit’. There is part of me that thinks I need to make a point and NEVER wear this to chemo again to not be too predictable/stuck in a rut, then there is my superstitious Family Medicine resident side that now wonders if it is a ‘lucky’ outfit and must be worn EVERY time (you can now easily see how despite an actual effort to not name children with the same first letter, we have five ‘E’s). I really thought I had worn a different shirt and cardigan last time, but the photies dinnae lie –

So, plans for today that are different than after the Day one on the first round is that I am staying OUT.OF.THE.CAR. Last time, I tagged along for school/nursery pick up and have never felt so carsick or so exhausted. I may take a nap and attempt a walk as my Garmin is telling me I am under 3000 steps at the moment. Paradoxically, taking a walk actually helps with fatigue – who knew??

Thank you all soooooo much for your lovely comments. I am reading them all, the type A in me really wants to reply to them all, but then the ‘worries too much about offending’ part of me is concerned I will miss out replying to someone and they will feel bad – this struggle in my mind is real folks! So I may reply from time to time, but will mostly just be selfishly lapping up all of your encouragement. Please know that it is very much appreciated!