Surviving Cancer

Chemo on Thursday went off without a hitch. My ANC was 1,900, which is likely the result of the two days of steroid shots I received. I was unsure if they would continue the injections or not, but because they seemed to have helped, I had two injections this time around as well.

I have now had 6 treatments in a row, and my body is starting to take notice. Not only do the steroid injections cause body aches and pains, but with having so many treatments in a row now, I have been much more fatigued this time around.

I have been battling insomnia and hot flashes, as well. Josh has been so helpful and has been sleeping on the couch so I can sleep in the bedroom, undisturbed. While this does help tremendously, I am still very restless and unable to sleep soundly.

I have 5 treatments left, and cannot wait to be done. I meet with my oncologist again this week before treatment, and intend to ask the questions I have been putting off asking. One of the big questions being, what happens when active treatment is done? I am really unsure what is in store for me beyond chemo, as far as continued treatment and monitoring goes.

Will I need hormone therapy? Do I get my ovaries removed to reduce my chances of getting other hormone related cancers? How often do I need to come back to the doctors to be checked? I actually fear being done with active treatment. I feel like I will constantly be wondering and worrying about the cancer returning. A fear, I think most cancer survivors have.