I had my chemo treatment on July 31st with the new medicine (Paclitaxel) and my sister, Debbie, went with me again. I had a full on panic attack the night before. Luckily, David was here to help me work through it until my Xanax (anxiety medicine) kicked in and allowed me to calm down and go to sleep! I took 1/2 of a Xanax before my treatment too. Which is what the doctor told me that she wants me to do. (makes the dosage only .125 mg)

They gave me benedryl in the IV and in a pill form as well as ativan (which is an anti-anxiety medicine that works as an anti-nausea medicine too) in the IV. I, again, got very very dizzy as they were pushing the medicines into the IV's. But the chemo medicine didn't do that to me, it just drips from a bag... then again, after a little while, I didn't know much of anything... I fell asleep from the benedryl! This treatment takes about 4 hours once they get started, but because I get so dizzy, I don't dare drive myself to it!

My next treatment is now on the 14th of August, and my friend, Karen, is going to come up and go with me to it. (It was on the 13th, but I had to have it changed due to some stressing scheduling! But thank the Lord, it all worked out! As long as Monica can handle both kids at one time for that long! Which I'm sure she can!)

The doctor sent me for a CT scan to check the status - she says it's just a "baseline" scan... but I know it's to see if there's any cancer anywhere in there. So keep those prayers going!

I went and had the "expensive" shot (as David calls it) on August 1st (Happy birthday to me) to keep my white blood count up and my shoulders were sore that day... side effect from the medicine (Neulasta). It feels like someone hit me across the shoulder blades with a bat or something. But nothing that pain medicine won't help!

My 4 1/2 year old daughter, Jordan goes into the room with me and "helps" me get my shot. The nurses just love her. She holds my hand and tells me it will be ok. (She raked in some loot this time! They gave her a bag of pretzels, a bag of animal crackers for brother who was out in the waiting room with my friend, Kim, playing with the toys, she got a rice crispie treat for Mommy, she got a bracelet, a pin, and a pink bandana too!) It's really cute!

I've been having some significant muscle soreness and bone pain over the past couple of days with this one, thank goodness for the pain medicine!

I had a CAT scan on Monday, August 4th. And the Lord is watching out for me because Friday I was stressing to find a babysitter and someone to go with me (because I know my anxiety) and David got the day off work and my friend, Chris happened to be off work that day and she watched the kids for me! It all just "fell into place" - thank goodness!

The woman that did the CT scan helped me a great deal by not making me feel childish or however you want to put it, I was having a mild panic attack and she was very patient and told me to take my time and she explained the procedure and asked me if I was ok or had any questions several times.

She even checked on me 1/2 way through when it was time to change my arm positions for a different angle of the scan! That was very helpful for me! Now I just have to keep my anxiety under check until I get the results... which probably won't be until I see the doctor before the chemo treatment on the 14th!

Thank you to the ones that know me from the chat room and have been checking on me via email, IM, or the chat room... I truly appreciate it! It means a lot that you care that much!

~ Kim

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ByrdFan,

Kim,

Thanks so much for sharing what I know is so difficult to go through. I know your family and friends are right there for you, and a tower of strength and love. And your cyber-family is here for you too.

Belated Happy Birthday! Do what my daughter does, just pick a day and celebrate, or week, or month, lol.

hugz,
Suzi

Kim,
Thank you for the update & sharing what you are going through.
Know that words of Good Thoughts, Prayers & strength are going up and, wishes for your complete recovery also.

God Bless,
Jim Pearson

Kim, thank you so much for coming and sharing your treatment and present condition with us..

Know that prayers and thoughts are going up from Knoxville and hope these treatments will knock that ole C out of your precious body..

How blessed you are to have so much good support!! That must mean a lot to you....

Stay strong...sounds like you are in very good hands...the doctors' and God's!

So glad that the treatment is all going along-good,Kim,hang-in there,prayers and best thoughts from Down-under

Kim, keep doing what you're doing. I admire your strength You are remembered in my prayers.