Day 2

Today my DH was home and he let me sleep in! I did not get up until around 10:00 which I really needed. I was a little nauseous but after I took my pills and ate some breakfast I began to feel better. My stomach turned a little later in the afternoon as well but I ate a bagel and it stopped. I have been really tired today. Like I'm dragging a little and I have been a little more emotional than usual (crying and getting angry)! But other than that it has been a good day.

The Nurse called from the clinic to check on me in the morning and the Dr. called later that afternoon. I also had calls from friends checking up on me and I felt a lot of love and support from them and family.

I talked to my DH about the fertility clinic. We were told before that there would be no way we could have children and that we should get my tubes tied - we did not - and I'm glad because Johns Hopkins said that was not true. But during those 6 months we had talked about adopting and we both felt really good about that. We have 3 children but really feel we have one more coming to our home. I don't care how he gets here so we decided that instead of spending the money on harvesting eggs now, storing them for years, and then maybe getting those eggs to be a baby later...we would rather spend that money adopting. There are babies out there that need a home and I have already given birth (beautiful births and wonderful pregnancies) 3 times. And we can try after chemo and if it works good and if not we can adopt! No worries now!

Starting Chemo

I have decided that it will take a long time to give past history so I had better start with current and work then work out from there in both directions!

So New news is that chemo starts tomorrow! I am very excited! They say that if it works (shrinks the tumor) I will have less pain within a month! That is a hope that is worth all the side effects!

The plan is to do 2 rounds (3-4 weeks each) and then do an MRI. If there is any shrinking or softening we will continue. If not we will adjust dose and/or meds. We will continue with the chemo until the tumor is manageable (there is little to no hope of it ever being GONE) and then use other drugs, surgery and/or radiation to keep it that small.

We are going start with weekly IVs of a low dose (have to get exact dose tomorrow) or Navelbine and Methotrexate.

With the low dose they do not anticipate as many side effects. I will probably NOT lose my hair and have a much lower chance of liver and heart damage. I do have to wash hands, use a foam tooth brush, electric razor, watch my diet, take my temp 2 times a day, and use pads instead of tampons. Side effect we are anticipating are some nausea, low blood count, some fatigue and mouth sores. I think I can live with that list. I guess we will see.

Wish me luck!