Watching and waiting

Becky had her first dose of chemo on Wednesday, July 31st.  We spent about 3 hours at the oncologist's office. It was a 30 minute appointment and then about 2.5 hours of different IV infusions.  They gave her some pre-medications to help with the nausea, a steroid, and then the actual chemo.  Doxorubicin is a deep red color and it is a little unnerving watching it flow into her veins.  It is probably the more toxic of the 2 drugs. She had minimal side effects during the infusions, and soon we were in our way home. The Dr. said that the nausea would most likely start later that evening. She  was given medications to help control the nausea, and for the most part, they have done a good job.  On Thursday morning we went back to the Dr's office to get a Neulasta shot.  This is a medication to help her body produce more white blood cells to replace the ones that are being destroyed by the chemo.  It stimulates the bone marrow and can cause some severe bone pain.  She decided to participate in an investigational study for some medications to help control the bone pain.  Unfortunately, she was randomized to the arm of the study that is not receiving the study medications.  She is still able to take other medications though.

Overall, she is doing pretty well.  The side effects of the chemo and Neulasta have been bearable with  the use of other medications.  She is pretty fatigued, but that is a normal side effect of the chemo that we do not have many ways to treat at this point.  This first treatment is a little difficult, because we do not really know if she is going to take a turn for the worse at some point.  Once she makes it to Monday, they said that she should start feeling better, and the chance for a bad reaction will have passed.

We continue to have amazing support from all of our wonderful friends and family.  People have been bringing in meals and offering words of encouragement, and we are so thankful for all of it.