August 17, 2009

• The dreaded week o' fatigue

  Posted by Stephanie 9:55pm CST from the apartment Houston, TX

  Whew, it's been a crazy last few days! Between my birthday festivities, having Ang in town, doing the memorial walk, church and flying back to Houston, I'm worn out! It was a great birthday weekend--dinner out at Thai 9 (AMAZING) and some good ol' cake and ice cream on Saturday night. Earlier that day, Ang went with Sammy, mom and I to the memorial walk for my former babysitter Rosemary. The walking route was 3 miles in the sun and heat, so I opted to stay back at the park shelter. Sammy stayed with me while mom and Ang joined the 75 or so people who came in support of the Richardson family. They raised over $900 for Sammy and I at this year's walk, and we are so grateful for their generosity. To add to that, Sunday we received an anonymous donation from someone at church. The support we continue to get is just unbelievable. Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who donates, sends cards or makes phone calls or facebook and xanga comments. We appreciate it so much!

  Mom and I arrived back in Houston late yesterday evening and got a ride back to the apartment from Joe and Sarah. I had my second chemo dose of this first cycle this afternoon. That dose included I.V. steroids and anti-nausea meds, then an infusion of Gemcitabine like last week, plus the addition of the Docetaxel. I've also been taking oral steroids since yesterday morning to offset the edema (mom informed me I had been spelling that wrong previously) from the the Docetaxel. We learned during today's infusion that I will be getting a Neulasta shot tomorrow evening. Boo. I had gotten rather used to not dealing with the massive bone pain and skin sensitivity that comes from the spike in my white blood cell count. But, if it's needed to help prevent a massive immune system crash, I can deal with a day or two of soreness, although in combination with the fatigue caused by the Docetaxel, it looks to be a rough first few days. So far tonight, though, I'm feeling fine. Bloodwork from this morning was good--platelets a little on the low side at 90, but they only have to be above 75 for this treatment, not the normal 100. I'm keeping my fingers (and toes and eyes) crossed that the side effects won't be as bad as expected.

  So, now I'm 30. I know a lot of people dread turning 30--they feel like they've lost the carefree youth of their 20's, or can't go out as much as they used to......which I understand can be frustrating. Heck, the entire second half of my 20's has been spent battling this disease and stripping me of lots of fun with Sammy, family and friends. But, while some people turn 30 and worry about feeling old, I'm worried about just making it to my next birthday. It's rather depressing, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't on my mind quite a bit. My plan is to just be thankful for all that I do have and keep fighting to get through this so that I can reclaim the years that I have lost to this disease! Besides, 30 isn't what it used to be--I'm still a youngin'.

  I'm off to have a quick webcam chat with Sammy, then hit the hay. Nighty night!

  --Steph

  • 11:23 pm
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