Update 8/25

Hi all,
Well when I looked up the side effects of the taxotere chemo on a ew websites they basically said call the doctor if you have a fever or chills or body aches, etc...and that's exactly what was going on. I'm feeling better and my tmep is under 100 at the moment but I went to Dr. Dreisbach's office today and they ran my blood to see what my counts were like. My white counts were low as well as my platelets (that part was a bit surprising to my doctor). So, I got a shot of Nupigen and will need to get one each morning for the next two mornings and then they'll test my blood again on Monday to see where I'm at. I hope that they can use the data from this go around to perhaps give me a nulasta shot (white blood cell booster) the day after chemo which is more long acting and I only have to go once rather than on successive days. Regardless of the blood counts, the doctor also gave me a presciption for levaquin and told me to take it if my temp is over 100. I've been between 99-100 all day, though yeseterday was higher. Further, he said if it goes above 101 that I need to call the on-call doc. Meanwhile, he just wants me to pound lots of liquids, so I'm doing that.
I'm so glad that Amy Haven could take me today to the doctor. She's going to take me the next two days to get shots, too. Sunday I'll be going to LA to see my aunt and uncle the night before going to USC. Speaking of USC, Karen Pendleton came over today and brought all of my medical records that I needed her to collect for me. She even dropped off the doctor's note to the district office today stating that I'll need the whole year off of school to go through the treatment plan for the illness. Later on, Karen went to the drugstore to pick up my prescriptions and also to get me some ice cream becaue it just sounded sooo good. So, guess what I had for dinner tonight? Yes, jamocha almond fudge and chocolate chip..It was good. Also, some peppermint tea really helped the funky taste in my mouth. Plus it soothes my funky stomach. It so great to have such wonderful friends.
One other consideration due to the low white count is that I might not go to church this weekend since I don't want to go seeking an infection. I also might not feel up to it tomorrow either. I had planned on going but Karen brought up the while thing with the low white blood cell count being a problem. It might also delay my arrival in LA on Sunday because I was supposed to go to a concert with my aunt and uncle in the afternoon but that might not be wises either. I might just go later in the day. We'll see. I'll have to call them and discuss it.

That's all for now
:-) Julie