Medication Info - New Chemo Drug

Here's the drug info for my last 4 treatments. I'm supposed to start this new drug this Wednesday. I'm getting my blood work done tomorrow and meeting the doctor to find out if my counts are up. *fingers crossed everyone* I've started to use visualization. I visualize myself good counts and that I am having chemo on Wednesday. I also met with my Radiation Oncologist this past Wednesday. Since I already have background information about radiation from my father's experience I was pretty relaxed and comfortable about the appointment. My doctor is amazing. I have been truly lucky to have this team of doctors. All of them have incredible "bed side" manner and I've never felt rushed through an appointment. Our personalities have also blended well. I'll write more about the radiation side of my treatment in a later post. For now here's the drug info:


New Chemotherapy Drug

Paclitaxel ("pack-li-tax-ell" or Taxol)

Clear solution for injection, mixed into larger bags or bottles for intravenous infusion. It is used for the treatment of cancer of the ovary or the breast. Paclitaxel is infused into the bloodstream over 3 hours. It is very important that you tell your doctor if you have chickenpox (or have been recently been exposed to someone who has chickenpox), shingles, heart rhythm problems, or any other infections. Any of these conditions could affect therapy with this medication. Paclitaxel usually causes temporary loss of hair (including scalp hair, body hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, and pubic hair) starting 2 to 3 weeks after your treatment.

So far I've been lucky, I have not lost my eyebrow or eyelash hair but I think this time around I maybe losing it as well as this new hair growth I seemed to be developing these past few weeks. I've also been gaining weight because of the steriods I've had to take and will continue to take with the Paclitaxel. Thank goodness I workout, I can't imagine how much more weight I would have put on. I'm feeling uncomfortable about my weight gain (physically uncomfortable). Pretty soon I'll be at the weight I was when I was 9 months pregnant. It's frustrating but I know it's only temporary. I keep telling myself it's all part of the process and I just have to be patient.

Think of me tomorrow and Wednesday and visualize for me as well. I'll keep you all posted.