Nov 13, 2023 - chemo cycle 2, infusion 2

So I know I need to update the past few weeks... I promise to get better with more timely updates 🥰

Just some general info:

I've been having lots of problems with my white blood count this time with chemo. It would dip last year with chemo, but not enough to cause a problem. This time I've had to be given Granix to increase my white blood cell production.

My ongoing chemo schedule is 2 weeks on, 1 week off. I'm going to start calling them cycle X, infusion 1 or 2... Sometimes because of holidays or whatever, we need to adjust days, so it might not always be the correct # day for chemo...

The chemo drugs I'm getting each week are as follows. They are splitting the CARBO dose between the two days since I have a reaction to it 

Infusion 1:
Bevacizumab
CARBOplatin
Gemcitabine

Infusion 2:
CARBOplatin
Gemcitabine

Nov 3 - it was the day we finally get another infusion of chemo in. It was technically cycle 2, day 1. Even though it was late. The labs looked good, so we went ahead with chemo of all 3 drugs. This was my 8th CARBO infusion, which can start causing reactions in some people. About 10 minutes in, I did heat up quite a bit, so they paused the infusion and gave me some Benadryl... That will be added as a pre-chemo drug going forward now... That was the last drug administered, so at least once it was done, we could head out.
Felt fine that day, some nausea the next few days, but I can manage it with the meds they prescribed me.

We do need to start injecting me at home with the Granix to keep white blood cells being produced. Thankfully, William Wen is an amazing husband that has stepped up and taken on the role of nurse. He gives me the shot once a day for 3 days after each infusion now... Its an actual needle that needs to go into the fatty tissue. Fun times...

I did develop a rash on my arms a few days after chemo... This was a new side effect. Wasn't itchy, and not sure what caused it. It's finally fading now (Nov 13).

The Granix causes bone aches, so I'm continuing to take Claritin daily since it's been shown to help. I also take Tylenol as needed.

Nov 13 - cycle 2, infusion 2! Finally got a second infusion in a cycle... Remember we had to skip the last cycle because my white blood count was too low. They didn't give me one of the pre-chemo drugs that makes me sleepy, it they did give me Benadryl. The other drug would cause me to take a long afternoon nap. The Benadryl knocks me out while getting chemo... No issues today. Whit w lood count was still low, but not so bad that they would cancel chemo. I'll just keep doing the Granix at home starting tomorrow for 3 days. 

I now have 2 weeks until my next infusion, and I'm so glad it's the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend so I can enjoy time with family and eat lots of good food (Thanksgiving and my birthday 🎂).
Lunch after chemo today
Dessert after chemo today
Afternoon walk

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