Femara

My doctor finally got the report back from the testing of the fluid in the lung area.  There were a few different chemo's we can use and we decided on one.  I will post on that one later.  The nurse practitioner put me on Femara.  So, what is it?

Femara is usually given to breast cancer patients.  It somehow works to block estrogen (I believe) or at least some hormone I produce.  I thought that if it might help, this is okay and let's try it.  There are some side effects (what drug does not have side effects?!) with this drug. 

Since it blocks some hormone's, I have been getting some menopause symptoms.  Mainly, some hot flashes.  I am not at all liking these little new occurrence's!! They seem to happen at most any time during the day, or not.  One minute I feel fine and the next I feel like someone turned on a heater inside me.  Since taking it, I have had two days at work where I did start to sweat.  I really did go to the bathroom to rub a towel that I had run under cold water on the back of my neck to try to help me cool down.  I have also awoke feeling like my bed was a sauna and was sweating a little bit as well.  Really, I can do without this part!!

Also, I have felt a bit more tired during the day.  After reading the side effects pamphlet from the pharmacy, this seems like another common side effect.  I know I am getting plenty of sleep but it feels, at times, like I have only gotten an hour's worth of sleep the night before and I am so ready for a nap.  I have also gone to bed early some nights as well.  On the weekends, I will allow myself to sleep in on Saturdays.  Sometimes, that does not work as I am awake by 7:00 a.m. and ready to go.  Thank goodness for naps.

Another side effect I am experiencing is that I might wake up some time during the night like I am ready to start my day.  At that point, I will get up and go watch t.v. or I will try to do something crafty (knit or crochet) or read to try and get myself to go back to sleep.  Sometimes it takes longer than other nights but eventually I do go back to sleep.  It is not an every night occurrence but it does happen frequently enough.

I have noticed I have wanted to be a little bit more vocal on talking back to people or complaining about stuff.  I really have to try and watch that at work.  That is a little bit out of character for me to do and I am "blaming" that on this new drug.

I am really hoping that this drug will work for me.  I will not know until another CT Scan is done to know if it did (or did not) help but I am really hoping that all these side effects of Femara will be worth it.

If you have taken Femara, did you have any similar side effects? Did it help you with your cancer? Let me know how you "enjoyed" it! (That was a little sarcasim mixed in with some laughter!!)

Jenn

No Chemo = Hair

Since chemo was suspended for me, my hair started to come back.  I had quite enjoyed the "benefits" of no hair.  Mainly, that means no shaving and I liked that!! I liked it a lot!! However, I had a few worries about having to wear something on the old head during the summer had I still had no hair.  My hat was great but it was wool and that would be hot when it would be in the 90's.  

I am glad to be getting hair back.  That makes me feel a little bit more normal.  I even tried combing it the other day.  I think I was just amusing myself a little on that one.  Gotta find humor somewhere?

So, hello hair!! I did miss you but I did enjoy not having to shave.  I can't have it all!!

Jenn