Round 2

Just got settled in my recliner for round 2 of chemotherapy. I saw my oncologist this morning and had a good appointment. I was reprimanded for not going to the emergency room when I had my 102 fever. I was told that if it happens again (which I am at risk for) I should go immediately to the emergency room. OK, message received. My doctor was proud of me for shaving my head and even more impressed I did it following the no-alcohol rule. Props for me! He also tentatively approved my trip to Seattle in September for Stephanie's birthday and the Chargers Seahawks game. I need to have my blood work done this month at the same time my trip would be during round 5. If my labs show my blood counts are strong then he said he would assume they will be in the same place during round 5 and approve my travel - hurray! He made a big point of saying that my blood counts determine my travel schedule, not a pre-purchased plane ticket. In other words, anything can happen and the labs rule. I'm OK with that. I also complained and whined about the dry, flaky skin and acne I experienced in the 1st round. He said the dry skin was caused by the chemo, but that the acne was most likely caused by the steroids (I take steroids for 3 days at the beginning of each round of chemotherapy). It is good news that it's not the herceptin causing it which means I won't have to deal with it for an entire year - just 5 more times. He even said it may not happen again - my fingers are crossed!

Earlier this week I saw my surgeon and had my foob pumped up to it's new and final size. My surgeon actually said, "since the other one is so small, I think we've reached maximum capacity". Hey, it may be small, but it managed to earn beads at OTL in the late 90's, nourish 2 children and put me in this chair receiving chemotherapy drugs, so I guess size doesn't mater in this case. Anyway, the good news is that I'm on the books for surgery in late November - 20-year-old boobs here I come!

My oncologist said I should tolerate this round the same as round 1, except the fatigue could be worse since it's cumulative. So I'll be napping most of the weekend, which is not a bad way to spend a lazy summer afternoon. Thanks for your prayers and support!