Chemo As Begun

Leticia was scheduled to begin chemotherapy at 11am on Monday, March 1st.


She says the plan was to "ZAP" her because she's so young and healthy.  (insert a little little nod, wink and walk with swagger) lol!  The treatment will be 1x every 2 weeks for four treatments.  Then, she will shift to once a week for 12 weeks. 


This should take her to around July 4th.  Then, she will begin radiation once a day for an estimated 5 weeks combined with 3 weeks of hormonal therapy to complete an entire year.


She treatment plan is the best case scenario and assuming no infections or complications. That would delay the treatment plan.  Which is why is it VITAL that she not be exposed to infectious people.  IF she realizes she has been exposed she will immediately call her doctor and be prescribed a very aggressive anti-biotic.


I share this because it's important that those coming to her aid through this time keep this in mind.  It's  her fight...but we have to give her the tools to do it.


Yesterday, she was in an informational class waiting to be called in for chemo.  She says she was called early and that was a blessing because it didn't give her a time to get apprehensive about going in.


It two 2 hours and 10 minutes and she says it was easier than she expected.  She says it was essentially IV fluids inserted into her chemo port.  She noted the staff was very caring.


Ironically enough she knew someone in there going through chemo...another baseball connection.  That network is really amazing sometimes!


She arrived home just before 1pm yesterday and has been told the 48 hours after chemo are most critical to stay hydrated.  Specifically 12 glasses of 12 ounces of fluid to wash out everything.  There is a strong possibility she will be sick as she flushes the toxins out of her body. 


A small indicator of how intense the chemo is??  She can't wash her clothes with anyone else's and has to wash them twice.    She says she keeps thinking about how I told her this is a path to turning 40 CANCER-FREE! :)


She says Brian is holding her up, but she's also drawing strength from everyone else she feels who is doing the same.


In the early hours after she got home she has been a little nauseous but is trying to stay ahead of it.  She says she has a very bad headache and is trying to sleep to address that, as well as drink ...96 ounces of Pedialyte. Apparently, it's not just for kids.  But, kids at heart!


Thanks for your well wishes.  Updates to come!