On the day after each treatment, I had to go in for a Neulasta injection that boosted the production of white blood cells within my bones. The Neulasta caused my bones and muscles to ache a lot. Then, on Thursday, I had to return for blood work and to see the doctor to check my reaction to the medication. Fortunately, I did not have any severe reactions to the first dose of chemotherapy. I had no vomiting, but was really nauseous, which meant a round of IV anti-nausea meds and fluids after my doctor’s visit. I didn’t start getting too weak yet, and the Friday of that week I was able to go to work as normal and work a full day.  

That weekend was mostly spent relaxing and resting. I was very tired and in pain – but the fatigue was the worst part of it. I was able to push through the sick feeling to go to church, but that was my only outing of the weekend. I was on Zofran and Reglan orally several times a day to control nausea, as well as an anti-anxiety medication that had nausea calming effects.  

I was fortunate with my first round of treatment. I only lost a little bit of my strength, and my hair didn’t fall out…yet. My treatment was on the 19th, and I was still able to take an out of town trip to New Orleans the weekend before Halloween that we had scheduled before we found out I was sick. The trip was great, although I didn’t have the energy to walk the city like I really wanted to. My friend was surprised that I didn’t wear my wig. I had decided I was going to take my hair before cancer could and went and had it cut close to my head so it was very, very short! I did decide to wear the wig to the event we had traveled to attend. It was a black tie affair, and we had a great time with friends. It would be the last event I would have the energy to really enjoy for a very long time, and I wasn’t at 100% to enjoy it, either. We only told a few of our closest friends what was going on. Everyone else just thought I had changed my hair again.