After healing from the mastectomy, I started chemotherapy – October 13, 2016 – I had a total of 4 sessions (once every three weeks). Originally, they had wanted me to do 20 sessions until a new genetic test, the Oncotype DX Test, became an option. The test showed that on a scale from 1 to 100 the aggressiveness of my cancer was a 14 Recurrence Score result (lower than 18), meaning the cancer has a low risk of recurrence. The benefit of chemotherapy is likely to be small and will not outweigh the risks of side effects.
The Tumor Board at Moffitt, along with my oncologist, strongly recommending I go ahead with chemotherapy as I was so young to develop breast cancer.
The hair loss started shortly after my first round of chemotherapy. There were a multitude of doctor appointments for shots and blood tests to go along with the treatment.
Essentially, I would check in and go to the back of the cancer center to the "chemo room." I would choose an open chair and wait for a nurse to come hook me up through my port to a drip. This took about three hours. They provide you with a comfortable, reclining chair, heated blankets, a side table, garbage can and some snacks. The nurse starts with flushing my port then changes the medication bag 1-2 times. He/she will then flush the port again once the treatment is finished.
Me during my third chemotherapy session.
Chemotherapy for me wasn't too difficult, as the doctors had provided me medication to curb the nausea. With my drug cocktail and only 4 sessions, I had it easier than most. I was mostly just fatigued. I slept through all of my chemotherapy sessions. It's quite strange sitting in a room full of strangers all receiving the same treatment. It really puts it into perspective how prevalent cancer is everywhere.
After each of the four chemotherapy sessions I returned to the Moffitt Cancer Center for a shot of Neulasta. This medicine is used to stimulate the growth of "healthy" white blood cells in the bone marrow, once chemotherapy is given. White blood cells help the body to fight infection. This is not a chemotherapy drug. It is usually given at least 24 hours after chemotherapy to stimulate the growth of new, healthy, white blood cells (WBC).
Here is what my chemotherapy treatment room looked like. Not too fancy, but "did the job," so to speak. People there were friendly but mostly kept to themselves. As you can kind of see, I was definitely one of the youngest patients there.
