Wednesday, March 12 (Chemo #4)

I woke up anxious about receiving the CA-125 results, and then the morning took an even more anxiety-producing turn when we pulled up to the door of the school, dropping off the kids at 7:30, and I got a call from the oncology nurse at UPMC saying my ABS neutrophil number was low enough to call my treatment today into question, and I had to come in for a retest before proceeding. What a gut punch. 

So we arrived at Magee and went up to the Womens Cancer Center first, where I got my IV and blood work for the retest. Then we went down to the Gynecologic Cancer Center for my appointment with the PA and clinical trial coordinator. My results from the retest had already arrived, and the ABS neutrophil was not only not alarmingly low, but normal! Same with my white blood cell number. So weird. There was no real explanation; the PA just said my body needed the extra day to do what it needed to do. 

Treatment assured, we went back to the Cancer Center for the day. Despite my more-than-desired hair loss, I'm continuing with cold capping, because the main hair-loss site is on the top of my head; I have significant, if thin, hair on the back and sides of my head. So, in the summer, when it's too hot for a wig, I'll be able to wear a baseball hat or sunhat and look pretty much like myself while my hair grows in. 

We went through the now-familiar ritual: we prepared for cold capping; the nurse prepped the machine; I was given all the pre-meds (I can't remember them all but they include fluids, benedryl, anti-nausea meds, and Pepcid), the nurse gave the fifteen-minute head's up when it was time to put on my ice mittens and booties; and then it was time for the three-hour-long infusion of taxol. 

Right around this time, my CA-125 results came in: it decreased by 20 again! If it keeps decreasing that way over the next two cycles, I'll be in a normal range. Keep up the healing thoughts and prayers, please. The PA reaffirmed today that what they're looking for each time is a steady decrease.

While the taxol dripped into my body, Andrew and I watched the final episodes of Prime Target. But I was absolutely freezing today--between the cold capping and my blisteringly cold hands and feet, I couldn't warm up despite two heated blankets, a fleece blanket from home, and a heated infusion chair. And the steroids (I think) made me twitchy and unsettled. I just tried to focus on the show, though I did have to have Andrew take off the booties just for a few minutes so my toes would stop aching so much. Next round: thicker socks. I wear fleece gloves under the ice mittens and my hands get very cold but not unbearably so.

The taxol finally ended and my hands and feet were free. I can never remember the name of the second chemo drug, but whatever it is, that started up next.

Beth came at lunchtime so Andrew could get a break; I was perfectly distracted by hearing the details of their upcoming trip to Italy. (When I got home, I looked through our Italy pics from last year; what an amazing trip.)

By 1:30, the chemo was done and my IV was removed. Andrew and I settled in for the final two hours of just sitting there with the cooling cap. We watched the finale of Prime Target, and tried to read a little but both of us kept falling asleep. 

It was a long day physically and emotionally. Chemo day is always the pinnacle of CA-125 stress; there was the added wrinkle of the blood work retest; I'm just physically exhausted and a little loopy; and I hate these days where CANCER is the sole focus. 

We were very glad to that Mom and Dad were there when we got home. Mom hung out with Farrah in the back yard; she brought stuffed shells for dinner; they picked up Greta after crew while Andrew took Lucia to tutoring; and they did all the dishes. Thanks, parante.

I was going to watch some Gilmore Girls but instead I'm going to just go to bed. I took some melatonin (the PA's suggestion for the terrible sleep I get immediately after chemo because of the steroids) and hope it works.