Neo-adjuvant Chemotherapy Begins At Last

The support I've felt from my family and friends has been overwhelming since my cancer diagnosis. I appreciate everyone's concern and love so much! I'm going to blog updates on my condition and procedures, as well as my feelings about what's happening day to day, so that you can share this adventure with me without exhausting us all. Today, Wednesday,May 21, 2008, I received the first of eight chemotherapy treatments. I am in a study trial for new cancer drugs, so the schedule that I'll follow is very specific. To begin with today, I received Dexamethazone to reduce the side effects of the chemotherapy drug I would be receiving. Then I was given the investigational drug, Avastin. This is the drug my medical oncologist hoped I'd be able to receive by randomizing into the study. I was lucky and I will receive this drug. Avastin fights cancer by inhibiting the growth of new blood vessels in cancer cells, destroying their blood supply. This is different than chemotherapy drugs, which search out cancer cells and chemically "burns" them to death. Next, I received Docetaxel, a chemotherapy drug. This was followed the next day by a shot, "Neulasta" that prevents low white blood cell count. Low WBC counts can lead to infection, so they try to keep those counts high. I will receive all of these drugs every 21 days for four cycles. At that time, Docetaxel will be replaced by Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide (AC), two other chemotherapy drugs. All of the chemotherapy I'll be receiving in the study is standard breast cancer treatment, "tried and true". Only the Avastin is investigational. I have two other "vomit prevention" prescriptions to use for backup if the dexamethazone fails.That made me so happy! I admit I was nervous today (and a little mean!) I felt afraid of the unknown in terms of how my body would respond to the drugs. But there was also something empowering about actually beginning to fight the cancer after such a long wait to begin treatment. Dr. Shehadeh's staff was wonderful to answer all my many questions. The procedure took about four hours and was completed without incident. The poor old guy next to me, also receiving his first chemotherapy treatment today, got sick as a dog right at the end of his time. I felt so bad for him! I was glad that, at least today, that wasn't me. I need to remember that my cousin Sherilyn called just one hour before I left for this therapy. She has been through years of cancer therapy. This was her second call, but it was so timely and a great comfort to me. She was able to say just the right things, and like my sister Dawn, knows how to get right down to the most significant details of what to expect from myself and others. Bobette's been checking in too. Her second grade team wore my name on their backs in the "walk for life" cancer fund-raiser last Saturday. These gestures of support are so touching to me! I don't quite know how to repay this sort of kindness. My a.m. kindergarten gave me an adorable hand print quilt to take with me to chemotherapy "so I won't be scared." I couldn't bring myself to take it this time--I just cried into it at school--I couldn't even subject the IDEA of those beautiful, innocent children to such a harsh reality environment. But I will take it next time. I might need their innocent hope to be with me "so I won't be scared". Tonight I still feel fine. I'm anticipating some tiredness in the next few days as my immune system weakens (another side effect) but I don't think I'll throw up! My next treatment is Wednesday, June 11. I'll be out of school for the summer by then. I think time between treatments will pass quickly. I expect that my chemo days will come around sooner than Fast Sunday!