Friday Update
Just a brief update to let you know that I’m doing okay so far today.
I had a Neulasta injection today, which was not without a little drama. I called the oncologist’s office on a hunch this morning and discovered that our new insurance company (as of 8/1…yes, I’m going through cancer treatment and had to switch insurance companies, and it is just as pleasant an experience as you might imagine that it would be) won’t pay for a Neulasta injection in the doctor’s office. If I had not made the call, incidentally, we would never have figured that out before the injection. This is the $6000.00 injection, by the way. This meant that I had to go to a different hospital, register there, answer a million questions, and then get the shot. Although it was an administrative pain, the nurses at the hospital were really wonderful and informative. They suggested that I might not need Neulasta injections after the Taxol treatments, which means I would only need two more. That would be good news! I have to talk to the oncologist about that, though, because they told me that I would need Neulasta following the Taxol, so we’ll see.
Other than that, I feel relatively good. Just very tired. And today my hair is starting to come out in small handfuls. It’s a bit startling to see such large amounts in the sink every time I wash my hands and really freaks me out more than I would have expected.
I haven’t called Suzy yet to ask her to shave it off. I am so not mentally prepared for that. I think I’m going to wait until it’s really falling out all over the place because even though I’ve been trying to gear myself up for this, I know that it’s going to be traumatic for me. I don't know when that will be, but I do know that the progression of the amount of hair loss has been rapid between yesterday and today so I kind of think it might be this weekend. I'll keep you posted, although I can't promise any pictures right away!
Comments
Just sending you some more (((BIG HUGS))). Know that you're in my prayers.
Posted by: PT-LawMom | August 10, 2007 07:38 PM
I wondered the same thing about Neulasta and Taxol. You will need to continue the shots with Taxol. The good news is that Taxol is much easier on your body. You are going through the worst of it right now. Keep your chin up though, you're half way through with it.
Posted by: Joel Maners | August 10, 2007 07:50 PM
Hang in there with the hair, Honey. It's a right of passage we all had to go thru. It sucks but you'll make it to the other side. Funny how all the mental preparedness doesn't really help in these situations, huh.
Posted by: Imstell | August 11, 2007 01:17 AM
I'm sure I'd feel the same way about the hair loss- it would freak me out. I'm thinking about you. Hugs, Sharon
Posted by: sharon | August 11, 2007 10:11 AM
You are fighting an uphill battle with all the curve balls cancer sends your way and then tackling the insurance industry simultaneously, just for sport. That's where your legal training will come in handy.
I'm sorry to hear about the hair loss, for your sake, but the difference between your loss and mine? Your hair will grow BACK!
You are brave and full of humor through all of this. Cancer never knew it had such an admirable foe. And you are 1/2 thru the toughest part.
Keep that chin up and keep smiling!
Posted by: Sonofasailor | August 11, 2007 01:29 PM