First Chemo

Yesterday was my first dose of chemotherapy, I pretty much slept through it and left feeling pretty blah. I've had some nausea and vomiting these past two days, and the doctor said I would start feeling better around week 3, and hopedully sooner. They say my hair will start falling out 5 to 7 days afterwards, and my counts will start to drop 7 to 10 days sfterwards as well. I'll be going back in 4 weeks for my second dose of chemo, which I think will be done in Austin. Now that I know what to expect from chemo I'm not as nervous and scared about. I hope this treatment will reak some benefits, which we should start to see around month 3. I know that God and my family will help me get through these next 18 months.


Joyful Love
         &
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta

Treatment Plan

Yesterday, I met with the Hematologist/Oncologist in San Antonio and my treatment plan was set up. I am doing 18 months of chemotherapy, with one IV drug (Cytoxan) and two oral chemotherapy medications. I go back to San Antonio on Tuesday for pre chemo hydration, and then on Wednesday get my first dose of Cytoxan. I then go every 4 weeks after that for more chemotherapy. I admit that I am nervous about everything, but am relieved that we can get started so quickly. The doctors say that at around 3 months we will be able to start seeing some effects if the drug is working. I know that God, my family and friends will help et me through this, and I will soon be on the road to recovery. 


Joyful Love
          &
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta

Discharge

Today was discharge day from the hospital, my family and I are so thrilled that I am out of the hospital and back home again. I still need to be on blood thinners for the blood clot in my vein, and I need to follow up with a hematologist to make sure my counts are good. I hope to be going to San Antonio within the next couple of weeks to talk to the the doctor about my chemo treatments, and hope to start chemo as soon as possible. Right now i am just trying to stay comfortable and manage my pain and am looking forward to starting treatment as soon as I can.


Joyful Love
          &
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta

Hospital Stay

Well, there has been so much that has happened since my last blog posting. Last Tuesday, the day after Labor Day, I went to the ER due to severe neck pain, and some swelling, along with a fever. We thought I had a virus and an inflamed lymphnode and so did the ER doctor. While in the ER they found that my port also wasn't working. They decided to admit me, and did a CT scan that night. The next day they told me that I had a blood clot in my jugular vain and fluid behind the clot. The news was given after a code was called because I had difficulty breathing because of the massive swelling in my neck. My port was taken out the same day as the news of the blood clot, as it probably was the culprit for the clot. I continued to have terrible pain and swelling, so late Friday afternoon I had surgery to remove the fluid. The doctor said their was a good deal of fluid, a lot of swelling, and the entire area looked "very angry". Since the surgery my ability to swallow and breathe has drastically improved. I am now able to eat solid foods and no longer need oxygen to aid in breathing. I will have to be on blood thinners for a long time they don't impair my ability to begin chemo, and the infectious disease doctors cleared me to start chemo in 10 days. I'm still on the PCA pump to help control my pain in my neck, but that is improving as well. I still have some swelling in my neck, and quite a bit of swelling in my left arm, which is the side that the clot is on, but hopefully it will resolve soon. i'm hoping to be able to go home soon, and then start my chemotherapy treatment. Were not sure if the HiCy treatment is still what the plan is, as we may go back to 18 months of chemo, but I will hopefully no more soon. I will continue to post on my progress and give updates. Your thoughts, prayers, and well wishes are greatly appreciated!!!!


Joyful Love
          &
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta