Day #1 after Chemo #2...Still working out the kinks

Yesterday was Chemo Day #2. We went in at 8:30 and got her all hooked up. It took the nurse 3 tries and on the 2nd try the saline went in under her skin and made a pretty good sized bubble. Fortunately, that went away without further incident. She got to go see Dr. Whisenant and talk about where they were. This time we haven't experienced any itching, but Connie is still on the anti-itching medicine and I think her last pill was today. She will go off of it and see if the rash/itching all come back, or not. She does have a horrible cough and it has caused her to throw up a couple of times now due to how hard she coughs.

Today we went in and got her follow-up shot for the white blood cells. She got a prescription for cough syrup with codeine to help her out, thank goodness! She hasn't been able to sleep well for the last 4 nights because of it, and I happen to sleep right next to her...I, too, appreciate the cough syrup!

It's been a long rough morning between coughing spells, dry heaves and getting ready for work, but she's there now for as long as she can. She has the long week-end to catch up on any work, if necessary. The codeine from the cough syrup may be what will compound what little strength she's already got.

Day 17 after Chemo #1...Nothing New

It was a little hard for Connie to go to church yesterday with her new hair...she wasn't too comfortable, but everybody said she looked great. Had to explain to the kids in her class that it wasn't really a new color and cut, as one girl put it, and it wasn't the other young ladies' mom who did it. I had to remind them of what we talked about a week or two ago about Sis. Denton having cancer and what would happen to her hair. I gently explained how Saturday morning went and the girls were open mouthed and wide-eyed that something like that could really happen.
Today is a new day and she has to bravely walk into work and wade through the comments. When something happened that drew some attention to her hair last Friday at work, a couple of the ladies began crying for/with Connie...they knew what was coming.
On a side note...what is it with all the snow and it's almost June? Good grief!

Day 15 after Chemo #1...Disappearing Locks :0(

The morning started off with the hair-in-the-brush trick...and lots of it today! Then the morning got a little more interesting as larger handfuls of hair seemed to attach to her hand as she gently ran her hands through her hair. No pain, just lots of hair.



Then the moment of truth...It's time to cut the hair because this is just ridiculous!






...And she HATED every second of it!!!







The clippers didn't go short enough, so we pulled out the razors. Cody had one and worked one side of her noggin, and I worked the other side. It wasn't painless, but I don't think we knicked her...I don't remember seeing any blood.




She went and took a shower and came back, amazingly enough, with a new head of hair!

Day 14 after Chemo #1...A Picture's Worth a Thousand Hairs!???

Click on picture to enlarge.

Day 13 after Chemo #1...Hair Today...Gone Tomorrow!

Well, it's not quite as bad as the title indicates, but Connie has been coming out of the bathroom the past couple of days with a hairbrush showing me how much is in it. Last night she was afraid to move in bed for fear that there wouldn't be much left in the morning. Cody teasingly tugged on her hair today, gently, and counted 7 strands that he pulled out. Connie is not happy. I don't help because I laugh in amazement that this is actually happening. I don't fear it - but then again, it's not my hair coming out. Hopefully she can adjust to the wig quickly and move forward! I love you Connie!

Day 12 after Chemo #1...It could be worse!

On Tue Connie had her appointment with Michael, Dr. Whisenet's helper guy. She gave blood and they tested it. It came back a few minutes later with a very high white blood cell count, which was great. Her body rash has mostly gone away, but she did start to develop a rash on her hand on Mon. Because she had bounced back so well, the decision was made to not mess with her chemo mixture and these side affects would have to be handled with Claritin or other anti-itch over the counter medications. She has been feeling pretty good for the past few days and has been working extra hours, when possible, to make up for time away at the doctors.

Day 9 after Chemo #1...Getting Better

Connie has been feeling better for longer periods of time, but still get's worn out fairly easily. We we able to go for a walk to see some neighbor's chickens and chat for awhile and also went to Astro Burger to share a small meal, meeting up with more neighborhood friends. We both went to bed fairly early and we are finding out that she doesn't sleep as soundly as she used to. Apparently I snore, a lot, and it is waking her up at random times throughout the night. I'm going to try sleeping out in the chicken coop to see if she can get some sleep tonight...maybe not...but I think we will seperate and see if she can sleep through the night. Next Dr. appointment is Tuesday.