My first week of chemotherapy was very... scheduled. My mom typed up a schedule and taped it to my computer so that when I woke up in the morning, I could follow it.
1. Wake up on empty stomach
2. Take Kytril (anti-nausea med)
3. Wait or go back to sleep for 30 minutes
4. Take Tremodar (chemo med)
5. Wait or go back to sleep for 1 hour
6. Eat, take other medications, etc.
Surprisingly, I was very good at remembering the schedule every morning. And yes, I was lucky and somehow managed to get pill chemo. And hey- if you have to have chemo, this is the way to go.
Days 1 - 3 were easy-peasy. I spent most of my time at the Ray (family)'s house hanging out with the kids in the family. Their daughter Kristina was about to head back to college, so I spent as much time as possible there. They thought it was funny how good I was feeling and they would make jokes, but I was thinking "Hey... I lucked out! Pill chemo, and no side effects?! Holla!"
Then I woke up morning of Day 4, and I felt like crap. I was nauseous and tired and just felt awful. I felt sick all day, and that continued day 5. Those side effects even carried over to the first day after chemo. It was no fun because I was hungry, but I couldn't really eat anything.
Since then, I have been feeling pretty good, just hungry. As I try to explain it, it's like you literally feel full but you're starving. Confusing? Welcome to my life.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Start of Chemotherapy
Jenna started chemotherapy on Wednesday, so she is now on day 2 (of 5 days of chemo before taking a 3 week break). It is a pill form, which is nice because she can be at home. The side effects have been minimal so far, so Jenna is feeling well.
Jenna's Summary of Initial Surgeries
10/20/2010 - Brain Tumor Diagnosed
On 10/20/2010, after heading to the doctor complaining of bad headaches for the past couple days, I was sent to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center for some tests. After two CT scans and an MRI, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
10/26/2010 - Brain Tumor Confirmed; Immediate Biopsy Needed
On 10/26/2010, I met with Dr. Howard R. Reichman, a well-known neurosurgeon in Utah. He reviewed my MRI. films and moved up the time table. I was told that I would need to get a brain biopsy within the week with a 3-day recovery in the hospital. My family and I decided to have me move home November 5th to get treatment as soon as possible.
11/1/2010 - Brain Biopsy/Surgery
On 11/1/2010, I had my first brain surgery at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center where a big portion of the tumor was removed by Dr. Reichman. He did an excellent job, and we really, really liked him.
11/29/2010 - Brain Surgery
On 11/29/2010, I had a surgery in Virginia by my new neurosurgeon, Dr. Joseph C. Watson, another good surgeon, and the remaining part of the tumor was removed. It was a rougher recovery than the first surgery.
On 10/20/2010, after heading to the doctor complaining of bad headaches for the past couple days, I was sent to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center for some tests. After two CT scans and an MRI, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
10/26/2010 - Brain Tumor Confirmed; Immediate Biopsy Needed
On 10/26/2010, I met with Dr. Howard R. Reichman, a well-known neurosurgeon in Utah. He reviewed my MRI. films and moved up the time table. I was told that I would need to get a brain biopsy within the week with a 3-day recovery in the hospital. My family and I decided to have me move home November 5th to get treatment as soon as possible.
11/1/2010 - Brain Biopsy/Surgery
On 11/1/2010, I had my first brain surgery at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center where a big portion of the tumor was removed by Dr. Reichman. He did an excellent job, and we really, really liked him.
11/29/2010 - Brain Surgery
On 11/29/2010, I had a surgery in Virginia by my new neurosurgeon, Dr. Joseph C. Watson, another good surgeon, and the remaining part of the tumor was removed. It was a rougher recovery than the first surgery.
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