I was both anticipating and dreading this day. I wanted it to hurry up and take its time. After today, I am done with the A/C round of chemo, which is the toughest part. In three weeks, I start my weekly Taxol (which will be joined every three weeks by Keytruda), which is considered more easily tolerated.

I asked if Emend comes in pill form, since it worked well on my nausea last time until it wore off. The answer is no (of course it doesn’t – parenthesis, me). I’ve tried all the options and nothing works, so the best solution is to just grit my teeth and bear it. Hopefully it’ll just be this week — with a respite on Thanksgiving, pretty please! — and then I’ll get to find out what new side effects Taxol will throw at me.

I asked the physician’s assistant a bunch of questions about Taxol. While A/C is associated with hair loss, Taxol can sometimes cause it too. I still have my eyelashes and eyebrows, but some people lose them during this phase. Most likely my hair won’t start growing back until after chemo, but if I’m lucky, it’ll slowly start during Taxol.

I might be nauseous the first day or two after Taxol, but then my body will recover. The most common side effect is neuropathy in fingers and toes. The PA recommended starting vitamin B6 now, which could help.

I’ve been super restless, which isn’t like me. Normally, I can sit for long periods of time. Acupuncture yesterday was torture! It’s hard for me to do anything feeling this way. It’s not anxiety, but they typically don’t see it manifested like this – of course! Dr. Brufsky suggested taking Xanax at night, and the PA suggested taking melatonin since I’ve been having trouble falling asleep.

Dr. Brufsky is pleased with my progress so far. When he said, “This is good,” not once but twice during his visit, I felt reassured.

The waiting room was busy today but the treatment room was quiet – a nice change. No foot massage this time, but we met Eddie the therapy dog. Aaron described him as the calmest dog he’s ever seen. Do they ever have Edwina the therapy cat?

A realization I had this week: not having hair means there’s no hair on the back of my neck. Depending on the head covering I’m wearing, I feel the breeze there. Brr! Another realization: if I’m wearing a scarf on my head, i don’t want to wear one around my neck. So I have to decide which part needs the warmth or look more.

I haven’t had a period since September – yay! My migraines have definitely improved – one reason why I want to be in menopause. I’ve noticed that I have trouble regulating my body temperature now and I’m getting more hot flashes.

So, I’m done with A/C, but A/C is not done with me! When I’m feeling crappy, I’ll have to keep reminding myself that this will hopefully be the last of the worst…