10/19/15 1st Chemo!

Hello all,

So 1st I would like to make a DISCLAIMER:  This blog may include language not suitable for your children.  This blog is probably PG-13 OR R-rated due to language and gross crap the author may say.  Just a warning!

Ok, back to me!  LOL  So I here is a pic of my 1st DIY haircut I did last week.  I will probably do another later I the week, hey it's coming out I may as well have fun and see what all I can do before I move to these fly ass wigs I'm bout to rock!  LOL yes there will be ratchedness in the mix but I will have a normal everyday wig for work with turbans and hats to supplement where needed. 

Here is a link to the photo of the DIY cut https://goo.gl/photos/QQNfX5HwYeB4D8z38

So yesterday I had to start with the steroids, THEY SUCK, jittery, hungry and just feeling crazy!  But its all good, it will be more tolerable with the Ativan they gave me, hehehe, I'll be fine! 

So today started with traffic, I mean it's Dallas by God! Nothing too bad, got here and saw the doctor where she told me all the fun things I can and can't do!  Nothing major just side effects: finger/toe neuropathy (google it if you don't know), nail damage (they may turn dark and even split if I'm not careful), low blood counts, I may be anemic (even before treatment), and the tumor is a 5.3 cm mass and it will be monitored to see if it starts to shrink over these next sessions.  I will have 6 sessions 3 weeks apart so I will have my next treatment on Nov. 12th so Halloween & Thanksgiving I will be up and at 'em! 

Now the fun medical stuff, I am taking Taxotere and Cyclophosphamide (TC) as my treatment regimen.  After my 6 rounds of chemo, I will have axillary surgery of the mass as well as axillary dissection of the lymph nodes they radiation and a new start of a hormone suppressant (Tomoxifen or Arimidex).  So I should be done with all treatment hopefully by Football season I hope if not by my birthday! 

Ok, for those who are wondering if I'm sleeping in my car, I'm not!  LOL  I moved to the DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) area 2 weeks ago.  I have been living with my wonderful cousins the Degraffenreid's.  Oliver & Brenda have been the ultimate host, accomidating both my mother & I and an occational friend that may stop by.  They live in Forney, TX, right down the road from Jamie Foxx's hometown!  I was listening to Jamie riding down Jamie Fox Way, it was so ironic!  LOL   As of Saturday I was approved for a 3 bedroom house in Mesquite, TX about a 20 minute commute to my job in the Pleasant Grove area (awesome).  I am looking forward to moving into the new place, I hope to pick up keys today, POD will be delivered this week and I will hopefully start getting that together some this week but mostly weekend after this one to come. I have to go to Jackson to pick up my car so I have a little company, it's so nice to have so many friends and family close by, my little sister Victoria is driving up with us on Friday and we will head back on Sunday and we all get to see family and it all works for the best.  My cousin's and a few friends have already volunteered to help with the move the following weekend but I will take all the help I can get.  Especially decorating ladies! 

I am about 30 mins or so out from completing my 1st chemo treatment!  Although I have to drop off money at the leasing agency I can go home and rest the entire day and tomorrow.  Well, except for the injection of Neulasta I will have to get tomorrow which helps to build you blood counts, white counts.  Side effects are muscle and joint pain so my slow ass may get even slower but the doctor wants me to do some form of mild exercise daily so I will be walking or something.  Looking forward to loosing some weithgt but I know the steroids will not allow too much of that to happen. 

I'm sure there is more but I think my first bout of chemo brain may be kicking in so I'm gonna rest for a while.  This has been a long 4 hours.

Thanks for all your good wishes, prayers, hugs from here and far.  I will do my best to keep you posted on all doctor reports and how I feel in general.  You can expect at least weekly updates from this point on.  Love you all and take care of yourself. 

Nina aka Bella(no not the chick who's into pale vampires and buff werewolves, just the chick from the REAL south!  LOL )