What happens next?

Hello everyone! I just though I'd update everyone on what the next steps are in this whole process. I went to my oncologist last Friday for my post-op appointment. We didn't know if we would make it or not because of the ice storm that we had Friday morning but we did. My doctor mostly prepared us for chemotherapy...listing side effects and regimens for each drug that I will receive. He scheduled me for a chemo education session, as well as, to receive a PICC line.

I had my chemo education session yesterday and my mom came along for support. Again, we talked about side effects and regimens for each drug. We discussed a schedule for chemo as well. I'm glad my mom was able to come along because I think it eased her fears a bit. The chemo class was led by a nurse practitioner at my oncologist's office and she prescribed nausea meds for me to take. I think overall we left this session feeling okay about everything. We were at least educated on what may/may not happen. Oh, and I got the see the infusion center that I will spend A LOT of time in!

The chemotherapy I will receive is called BEP (Bleomycin, Etoposide, and Cisplatin). It will be given in 3, 21 day cycles for a total of 9 weeks. Each cycle will look like this: Week 1 I go to chemo Monday through Friday for 6 hours and receive all 3 drugs; Weeks 2 and 3, I go on Monday and receive Bleomycin only lasting less than 1 hour. Fun, huh? There is lots of info online if you want to know more about each drug. Basically, it is the same chemotherapy regimen that testicular cancer patients receive. Major side effects are: nausea, hair loss, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, decreased white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, and some skin changes. There are some more severe side effects but those are pretty rare. I have been told that since I am young and healthy that I should do okay with this dose of chemo. For some reason it's hard to believe that this will be okay. All my trust lies in The Lord on this one. He's the only one that's going to get me through this. My goal is to stay positive and try and embrace this challenge, knowing that my suffering is bringing me closer to Him (if He is where my focus remains).

So, Thursday will be PICC line day. PICC stands for peripherally inserted central catheter for those of you that aren't medical minded. It's basically an IV that will stay in my upper arm for 9 weeks. I am dreading this. Mostly because it's another medical procedure. I also feel like that this will make me feel/look sick. The oncologist felt that a PICC line was our best bet due to the frequency of chemo the first week in each cycle. Chemo can also make your veins rather hard to work with. I have some juicy babies now that are a phlebotomist's dream but they will be all used up in a few short months. On a happy note, there is a cool website that makes various medical supply covers that are quite stylish. So I have ordered myself a teal PICC line cover to support ovarian cancer of course. I'm quite thankful for this!

Chemotherapy officially starts Monday, February 4th at 8 am. I can't say I'm looking forward to it but I am so ready to get this show on the road. I am thankful for this week to enjoy (thank you Jesus for amazing weather) some time with Him and all the people He placed in my life. I have also been preparing for the weeks ahead. I have a stash full of nausea meds, lemon drops, teal nail polish (for fun), scarfs, crochet hats, soup, Sprite, Boost, a "special bucket" to stay in the car :), and comfortable clothes. My house is ready. My pantry is ready. My body is as ready as it'll ever be. My husband? I think he's ready. Most importantly, my heart and soul are biting at the bit to go. I can't wait to see what He has in store. Please Lord, use me for your good. I accept this trial before me and trust in your Hand. You have blessed me more than I will ever deserve because you love me.

I plan on writing a little bit more before chemo about some stuff on my heart that I would like to process through, so bear with me. I will definitely fill everyone in on chemo day one...hopefully!

Thanks for reading! I really appreciate all of the prayers! Oh, thanks Anita for the t-shirt! How cute!