I found out early this year that I had breast cancer. The doctors operated on March 8 and then again on March 15. On March 25th, we left on a cruise. It was wonderful and I was fine. But they found the cancer in one of the three lymph nodes that they removed. So, instead of just the radiation, they opted for chemotherapy as well.
The chemo began OK. I had some nausea, but that was all. Then came the next four sessions. The drug was called Taxol. I left Florida on the autotrain. When I arrived in Virginia my ankles were enormous and I had to get a wheelchair to get off the train. I couldn't walk. I called my oncologist and he said to get to the Emergency Room because he thought I had blood clots.
Well, I wasn't going to the ER in Virginia when I lived in New Jersey. My husband drove and I put my legs up on the back seat. We were on the way to the hospital in Long Branch because our first grandchild had just been born. I knew that if I went to the ER first I would never see our grandchild, so we went there first.
Sure enough, I was admitted and they would not allow me to go see the baby or the baby to see me. I had two blood clots in my lungs. My advice to anyone taking a long trip... Stop often and walk. I don't remember being told that I had to walk. So on the trip back, I intend to walk on the train every hour or so. Also, make sure you keep your legs up.
