The Anchor ⚓️💗⚓️ – Edition 18

August 5, 2017

Dear Friends and Family, 

A milestone has occurred in my treatment, I have COMPLETED 12 rounds of Taxol!  🙂  My Chemo Anchors this week were my mom and dad.  Throughout my treatment, my mom texts or calls me everyday to see how I am doing.  We celebrated be eating my mom’s  homemade chocolate chip cookies for National Chocolate Chip Day!  It is an amazing feeling to be making such progress, but I do still have radiation in the fall and reconstruction in the spring. 

Overall, I would say that my body handled Taxol really well.  My main symptom throughout treatment was fatigue.  I also experienced congestion daily. Occasionally, I experienced light nose bleeds in the morning, blurry vision, and sensitive teeth. Chemotherapy also causes hot flashes, which some call “chemopause” since it is induced by chemotherapy. I did experience hot flashes on occasion. I did not experience other side effects listed on the information sheet that I received from my oncologist, I received some side effects that were not listed, so I really can’t complain.  Also, my oncologist was surprised to see that I still have hair.  I never shaved my head, I feel comfortable wearing hats and headbands because you are able to see what hair I do have left.  I actually got my short hair trimmed a few weeks ago due to it growing.  From what I have read, some people’s hair grows while on Taxol.  I am planning on wearing my “garment” to work though.  My eyelashes are falling out day by day, but I sill have enough to put on mascara.  I try to remember to make a wish with the loss of each eyelash.   I also didn’t realize my lower lashes had fallen out as much as they did. My eyebrows seem like they are a bit thinner, but I can’t really tell.

Next Friday on August 11th,  my oncologist and a pharmacist will review the side effects of AC with me before my treatment.  AC consists of two drugs, A – Adriamycin (doxorubicin) and C – Cyclophosphamide.  My AC treatment will start next week, every other week for 8 weeks, so 4 treatments total.  I am going to keep an open mind and expect the worst, but HOPE for the best.

Last week I met up with the Houston Young Survivor’s Coalition (YSC) Group.  YSC consists of a group of women who were diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of 40.  I enjoyed meeting with women that are just like me!  There was a group of about 7 of us and we really hit it off and obviously had so much in common.  I am looking forward to participating in activities with them in the future.

Anchored in HOPE,

JW