March 28, 2018 · from Lesley’s original CaringBridge journal
I had my last AC treatment this past Friday – the last of the “Red Devil”. Here is a little nerdy info: the “A” part of “AC” is Adriamycin – that is one of the two chemo drugs I have been getting, and it is what is referred to as the “red devil”. It is an anti-tumor antibiotic that works by killing the rapidly dividing cancer cells (unfortunately it can’t distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous cells). It is made from soil fungus! How crazy is that?! It really is bright red. They can’t give it in a drip like the other meds – they have to drip fluids and the nurse pushes it through with a giant syringe slowly. It earns its name well – it is very good at killing the cancer cells and it packs a wallop of side effects. I am thankful someone played in the dirt enough to discover it and I am thankful to be done with it as well. [the “C” in AC is Cytoxan. If you want to nerd out more on chemo drugs you can visit http://www.chemocare.com]
This has been the best post-chemo week yet. As is my normal MO, I can’t do anything normally. I was told these treatments build up and are harder as you go along – they’ve gotten easier for me. I would imagine it has a large part to do with not having the stomach bug like we did the first two rounds and staying hydrated. Saturday and Sunday were great. I was tired but stayed awake all day both days and didn’t have to take any extra nausea meds. Monday was my down day, but not too down. I’ve been doing more boring things around here – heating up food people have brought (bc I’m not cooking these days), wiping a snotty baby nose (bc allergies and tiny nasal passages don’t mix well), and singing lots of “If You’re Happy and You Know It” because that is Gus’s favorite song right now and he demands it often. The boys have another baseball game today so I am getting my sunscreen and big hat ready! Thank you for the prayers – please keep them up! We will get bloodwork again this Friday and are hopeful that my levels are staying up like they need to. Next Friday will start my next phase of chemo. I will be switching to a new drug, Taxol, that is supposed to not have as harsh side effects. I will get that every week for the next 12 weeks. One side effect it does have the potential for though, is peripheral neuropathy (loss of feeling in fingers and toes). They have found that this can be prevented by keeping your hands and feet in ice while you are receiving treatment. SO, we will be hauling our cooler with us each week for the next three months – I am so glad it’s getting warmer outside!!!
Comments from CaringBridge
darice davis — 4/5/18
Keep fighting Lesley! We miss you, and I am so glad this will all be over soon. I hope the medicine keeps working the way it is supposed to. I’m sure the boys are helping as much as they can, and I think the warmer weather will do you some good also. Can’t wait to see everyone! You have given me much hope and insight just in case I have to battle this myself one day.
Kim Watts — 3/29/18
Praying!!! Taylor took the AC mix too. His “A” leaked and it was like the scene from monsters inc when the sick was in the floor! Lol! People swooped in with special mops and cleaners to clean up.
Emily Johnson — 3/29/18
Donna P did the red devil too. Glad it’s over for you 😘 Pls feel good enough to pop over and say hi to us at “The Lake”, May 12, Benj’s graduation weekend.
Pam Cook — 3/29/18
Still praying. Say hello to the boys for me. Love y’all
Debra Parker — 3/29/18
Really enjoyed our talk the other night!! Love you!!
Cancermamma 