An American in Paris and a Bright Red Face

Taxol is taking its toll. Woke up to a bright red face this morning. Feel like my eyes want to swell shut. Was not going to take steroids today, but think I will. I did my best to counteract yesterday’s steroids with Benadryl and got more sleep than I usually do after chemo— six hours. Not great sleep— mostly light sleep, but sleep nonetheless. Yesterday was heavy-duty chemo day and I met with Dr. T first. The decision has been made to change things up a bit for my last two rounds. Next week I will get Taxol and a Neulasta patch. The “patch”contains a small needle, which 27 hours after my chemo, will inject a medication to stimulate my bone marrow. Then, I will skip the the next Taxol. This will be repeated for the last round, since my mid-treatment scan was clear and my CA-125 is now nine, he is confident this will be fine. Me too. Last evening, after chemo, Jerry and I went to opening night of the touring company of American in Paris. I had won the tickets for being the third highest fundraiser for Barctoberfest. It was delightful! The male lead really reminded me of Gene Kelly— similar build and a wonderful dancer. While the stage production had its own choreographer, so many of the moves were Kellyesque. Yes, I just made up a word. Today is a question mark. I took a Zofran, an anti-nausea drug, just to be safe, and I will take steroids to see if they will help my face swelling and redness. Then I will see if I feel like doing anything. Like going to Trader Joe’s. Ah, the exciting life of an ovarian cancer patient. In a few weeks, except for maintenance, I look forward to calling myself a survivor.

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