Change in chemo

So my platelet counts were too low AGAIN this week. They have to be a minimum of 100 to get chemo and they were 55 last week and 52 this week! I don't know how they went down but somehow it was possible. This was a big bummer and pretty scary to me when I heard but my doctor, via my nurse, reassured me this is very common. Many patients that have every week treatments like I had been receiving usually get to a point where their bodies can't recover quickly enough anymore. I was reassured again that my prognosis doesn't change. That's excellent news!

To manage this ongoing problem, my doc has now decided to change how I receive my chemo. What I had been receiving was Carbo Platinin every 3 weeks and small doses of Taxol every week. My doctor has now changed it to me having Carbo still every 3 weeks but the full dose of Taxol too at that time because my body is now needing so much more time to recover. The only reason the Taxol was spaced out before was to reduce side effects. So...those might increase but at least I'll have the 2 weeks in between treatments to recover. If I'm good to get chemo next week, I'll actually finish early by a week. That also means I have a week to play with if I'm not yet recovered. I kindof like the idea of less treatments so I'm ok with this change. Another plus of this more spread out schedule is I don't have to give myself daily shots of Neupogen for my WBC. I'll only need to take those shots the week I have chemo. That will be less shots (yeah!) and the added benefit of not having to deal with the terrible mail-order pharmacy I am now forced by my insurance to use. Long story short- they have messed up my order so many times (I think we're up to 4 or 5 times now) and I have had to spend a good hour on the phone with them everytime to straighten it out...and then they usually still get something wrong. I tell you, that is not how I wish to spend my "free" time when I'm supposed to be recovering.

So, this new schedule has me hopeful that all will work out well. I feel it's all in the Lord's hands and He has plans for my future. Indeed, I have so much to look forward to and live for :)  I know I wouldn't have nearly as positive progress and outlook without the sustaining power of prayers and supportive loved ones in my life. I can't say enough how much I love and appreciate all of you!!