Better now:)

Eyebrows take 2

Ixempra is tough, I finally get why some people are off work for chemo...I could have happily stayed home for the first 10 days after my first Ixempra treatment.  But by around Wednesday, I was feeling more like myself, and now am back to eating normally, feeling less nauseated everyday.  The weirdest side effect I had was that my arms and wrists hurt like crazy...almost like the chemo was attracted to the spots I use the most!  That lasted 4-5 days, and thank goodness it's getting better now.  Still have my hair, but am expecting it to fall out any day now according to the oncology team.  Looking forward to a lovely Thanksgiving with my family.  Hope my eyebrows last that long...last time they peeled off and left me naked! Hope this time (darker, thicker) works out better! Happy Turkey Day!

Ixempra Side effects

It's been a week, and it's been harder than I had expected:( Today my joints ache and my appetite is still not good...it's better than it was, though.  The first couple of days I felt very nauseated, but never actually threw up so that's good!:) Now, I'm just weak and sore, feel kinda flu-ish, almost like my body isn't my own if that makes any sense.

Tomorrow I'll go for the touch up appointment for my eyebrow tattoos:) I'm looking forward to it, I want them to be darker and more obvious, like they were at the very beginning, not faded out like they are now.

All in all, I'm happy that this treatment is only once every 3 weeks, it gives me time to recover!

Ixempra #1

Hi from Strong's infusion center:) Damn it looks like i only have one tattooed eyebrow; i have an appt next week cuz apparently the ink didn't take well and they have to redo it.  This chemo is the longest one I've ever had, 4 hours, so right now I'm just waiting for the benadryl and heartburn meds to kick in, then they will get started.  Thanks everyone for all of your extra support this week as I venture into this new med.  I appreciate it more than you know! Cher, thanks for the massage certificate!! Massage works wonders to keep the aches and pains away:) xoox

Next!

Soo... Our feelings were correct:( last weeks PET scan showed disease progression, especially in my liver.  So, next week will start new next chemo called ixabepilone (Ixempra). Look it up and let me know what you find on the side effects; Colleen and I checked it out quickly and it looked more severe than past chemos with worse side effects, but as always it depends on the person so we'll see. I'm nervous. Start up the prayers and good vibes and send to me please. Thanks! Jen

Ugh

My team isn't happy and now neither am I:( I had such a nice weekend in denial, Edie is home for long weekend and we had family dinners and a little shopping, dinner with Leslie and Chris and the babies, gorgeous fall weather.  Now, I'm at my Eribulin appointment and nobody's happy with my markers.  My next PET scan was supposed to be in November, they want to move it up to as soon as possible, they think the Eribulin isn't working anymore. Sigh.
I'm glad I'm getting my eyebrows done on Friday, something positive to look forward to! Almost everyone said my right eyebrow was a better fit for my face, so I'm going with that (since that was my opinion too!) I'm a little concerned about the color of the ink, but Will is coming with me, he will make sure it's perfect:)
Send me some love and prayers, something tells me I'm gonna need it with this PET scan.

Eyebrow tattoo?

Left or right? :)

So after losing my eyebrows to the chemo fairy again, I've decided to take the plunge and have them tattooed back in:) Colleen and I went to a medical spa last Friday and they drew on the above samples with eyebrow pencil so I could get a good idea of what they would look like...opinions, please! I have an appointment for the tattoos on Oct. 25.

Am feeling well; the second week (now) is always the hardest one of the 3 week cycles, so I'm tired but not too bad.  I love Fall, so the chillier overnights and mornings make me happy:)

Day of rest:)

I called in sick today, last night i decided i really need a full day off with absolutely nothing to do except rest and watch tv:) Thank goodness for RIT's generous sick leave policy, I'm really grateful on days like today. It's the end of the 4th week at RIT, and I've been able to keep up with my schedule so far:)
I'm feeling pretty wiped out, tho, just in general, achy and sore, and the stairs at RIT are killing me! It feels like I'm dragging 500 pounds up them! Oh well, a long weekend will hopefully give me my energy and spirit back!
Eribulin is still my friend, although I noticed that one of my numbers was slightly elevated last week, no longer going down, so it may be that it's not working for me any longer, but I won't find out til November PET scan.
My hair is slowly growing in, very thin tho, and i think i lose as much as grows in! Also, my eyelashes and eyebrows have fallen out as well and aren't growing back yet.  I remember the same thing happened before, and losing my eyebrows really changes my face!  Colleen and I have an appointment Oct 4 to find out about getting my eyebrows permanently tattooed on...sounds expensive but i think worth it to make me feel more comfortable:)
Anyway, just wanted to update that I'm feeling ok in general, just need some rest and I'm going to go take a nap! Thanks to Leslie and Chris for bringing baby Lia into the world last week; there's nothing like holding a brand new baby to give me hope for the future!

Thanks as always for all the prayers and good wishes.  Jen