What's NOT to Like About CHEMO???

A PORT: 
Yes - it's ugly - kindof a big BUMP in my skin.  Plus you can see the "tube" running up my neck. 

BUT - the PORT will save my veins from being stabbed and abused throughout my treatment. PLUS - the way the Port is installed - the Chemo is pushed  by the heart and distributed more quickly throughout my body.  Apparently, that will be easier on me as well.  So I might have to "like" my Port. 

The DRUGS:

 Taxotere- SIDE EFFECTS:  

low white/red  blood cell count

fluid retention with WEIGHT GAIN

neuropathy

nausea

diarrhea

mouth sores

HAIR LOSS (except I will still need to shave my legs)

Fatigue (apparently - a lot!)

Infection

Nail Change (color and/or LOSS)

Vomiting

Muscle/bone/joint pain

Low Platelet Count (as if I haven't heard THAT before!)

Liver functioning Issues

Paraplatin - SIDE EFFECTS:

Nausea

Vomiting

Taste Changes

HAIR LOSS

Weakness

Blood abnormalities

abdominal pain

Diarrhea 

Constipation

Mouth Sores

Infection

Neuropathy

Dizziness

Confusion

Visual changes/problems

Ringing in the ears or hearing loss

Herceptin - SIDE EFFECTS: (this drug I will take until August 2013)

Headache

Diarrhea

Abdominal pain

back pain

infection

flu-like symptoms

vomiting

cough

shortness of breath

pharyngitis

insomnia

rash

dizziness

swelling

HEART issues

  

Of course this is a huge list of side effects - and most likely I won't get ALL of them.  Some are definitely going to happen.  Losing the hair will happen - 17 days after the first treatment.  Nausea is huge as well but there is an anti nausea IV I receive during treatment and pills to take at home.  Apparently, drinking lots of water and sucking on ice chips help.  Weakness, fatigue, swelling, appetite changes, aches and pains, constipation (me for sure) are the most common.  I definitely WILL NOT like these problems. 

Is there anything to "LIKE" about Chemo?
                                  Positive Side Effects: 

Survival

Remission

Hanging with my kids 

Watching my grandchildren grow up

Being with Scott until we are old and gray  

There is SO MUCH more to "like" than "not like" about Chemo!  Chemo will SAVE my life! Go CHEMO!!  Do your BEST work for me!!  I am on "your" side! We will fight this ugly, evil cancer together~