December 2, 2007 - I am entering into the 3rd week of my Round Two treatments and it's been pretty much the same story each week.  I have had to get injections each Monday since I started chemo because my white blood levels have been low.  Each week since my first injection, I've opted to have all other injections in my arm.  I still cringe about the thought of getting the injections in my stomach.  My levels were extremely low on last Monday, November 26, 2007, so I received the Neupogen injection and had to return the next day to have my levels checked again.  They were fine.  I've asked if there is something I can do to help my levels stabilize because I am willing to do whatever is necessary to help.

Chemo, for me, is not the most exciting thing to talk about.  It's been pretty predictable too.  I go, have my blood checked, receive my pre-meds, and then the actual treatment.  Very uneventful since I sleep throughout most of the treatment.  Benadryl is one of the pre-meds I receive and it literally knocks me out.  I feel my consciousness shift as they give it to me.  It takes a matter of seconds for it to work.  At first, I was ok with the drowsiness I felt since I really needed the benefit of some extra sleep.  Now, I almost wanna forego the Benadryl to avoid the feeling.  My nurse told me it's kinda like feeling drunk.  Well, if this is what drunk feels like, then I 'm glad that I never allowed myself to go there.  (Yup, true story.)  I simply do not like the feeling of being "made" to sleep and then trying to wake up only to find that I'm in an uncomfortable stupor that kinda lasts for a while.   This is all minor of course.  I'm still feeling very well and I am still grateful to you all for your consistent support.  Thank ya!

December 3, 2007 – My white blood cell levels were low again today, so I received another Neupogen injection and will return on tomorrow for testing to see if my levels increase.  I think I’m developing what I’ve heard termed “chemo brain” because I am finding that I am forgetting a lot of stuff and I’m not a very forgetful person.  I forgot to mention that each time my white blood cell count falls below certain levels, in addition to the Neupogen injection, I have to take the antibiotic Levaquin until the levels return to some normal range.  Although this white blood cell decrease is to be expected, it kinda bugs me.  I just want to go in on any given Monday and be told that for once my levels are normal.  It’s possible, but I have to “remember” that I’ve been told several times that the effects of chemo are “cumulative” so any side effects that I develop may take longer to get over, including the regeneration of my white blood cells. 

I shared my Christmas travel plans so that we could make sure my dates for treatment are not changed (I want NO postponements) and I was told that I may have to give myself the Neupogen injection (you said in my what?….in my stomach....come on.....really?.......are you serious?.....me give it to myself?....come on now....are you kidding me?) so that I can stay on track with my treatment on December 27. This has got to be a joke!!!!  I'm glad I got a heads up cause this is gonna take a minute to digest.  (The one profession that I was certain I'd NEVER study or want to work in was anything in the field of medicine or healthcare or even remotely related to these fields.  To you in the medical profession.....how I admire you all immensely!  I never wanted to be a nurse....never wanted to be a doctor......never even wanted to be one of those sales reps you see in doctor's offices.  Ya know?)  Anyway, I’ve told the nurse that whatever he tells me to do, I’m gone do. For the time being, he suggested that I rest more.  OK.  I can do that.  Soooo, I’m officially chilling out now……

December 4, 2007 - I'm ok.

Thank you Katrina, Gretchen, Mervyn, Sis. L. Branch, Yolanda, Sis. Eugene, Sonya, Michelle, Neosha, Feletha, Kelton, Tom, Bobby, Snoopy, Terrance , LaKisha, Lakesha