What It's Like Going Through Chemotherapy: Three Rounds Down!

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A lot of people ask me how I’m doing. It’s hard to answer that question, especially now that I am going through chemotherapy. There are so many ups and downs.

I’ve had three rounds of chemo now, and I have three more rounds to go. It feels weird to be halfway through, but it also feels like I’m not REALLY halfway through anything at all. We don’t know what lies next. Heck, at this point, we don’t even know if the chemo is working.

So yes, I’m halfway through the six chemotherapy sessions we have planned, but there’s still a LONG road ahead.

Every three weeks, I get a three hour infusion of Paclitaxel and 30 minutes of Carboplatin. The process takes about five to six hours altogether. Honestly, the infusion itself isn’t the part I dread. It’s the days after, as the fatigue and achiness take over my body, that I can never seem to prepare myself for.

For today’s video, I wanted to share with you the process of going through chemo. It’s usually not a super dramatic process for me… I go in, get my blood checked, meet with the doctors, get my infusion, go home… and wait for the side effects to kick in. I try to enjoy any small moments I can before I just don’t feel like doing anything at all.

It feels like a slow, but steady, weakening washing over my entire body. I usually hit a pretty low point mentally just before it starts to lift ever so slightly and the fog begins to clear.

There are many more things I could share about chemotherapy. The video is just a small glimpse, but hopefully it gives you some idea of what I’m going through. As always, let us know if you have questions, and I’ll try to answer them in a future video.

Thank you for the continued encouragement as I face this fight. I may not be able to respond to everyone or read every message, but it does help on those low days to know I’m not doing this alone. ❤️

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We are a married couple who started on a life-changing whole food, plant-based weight loss journey in June 2018.

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Jessica & Brian Krock
1720 Market St # 771902
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A lot of people ask me how I’m doing. It’s hard to answer that question, especially now that I am going through chemotherapy. There are so many ups and downs.

I’ve had three rounds of chemo now, and I have three more rounds to go. It feels weird to be halfway through, but it also feels like I’m not REALLY halfway through anything at all. We don’t know what lies next. Heck, at this point, we don’t even know if the chemo is working.

So yes, I’m halfway through the six chemotherapy sessions we have planned, but there’s still a LONG road ahead.

Every three weeks, I get a three hour infusion of Paclitaxel and 30 minutes of Carboplatin. The process takes about five to six hours altogether. Honestly, the infusion itself isn’t the part I dread. It’s the days after, as the fatigue and achiness take over my body, that I can never seem to prepare myself for.

For today’s video, I wanted to share with you the process of going through chemo. It’s usually not a super dramatic process for me… I go in, get my blood checked, meet with the doctors, get my infusion, go home… and wait for the side effects to kick in. I try to enjoy any small moments I can before I just don’t feel like doing anything at all.

It feels like a slow, but steady, weakening washing over my entire body. I usually hit a pretty low point mentally just before it starts to lift ever so slightly and the fog begins to clear.

There are many more things I could share about chemotherapy. The video is just a small glimpse, but hopefully it gives you some idea of what I’m going through. As always, let us know if you have questions, and I’ll try to answer them in a future video.

Thank you for the continued encouragement as I face this fight. I may not be able to respond to everyone or read every message, but it does help on those low days to know I’m not doing this alone. ❤

KrocksInTheKitchen
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I had cancer in 2002. I had non-hormonal breast cancer. I had a bilateral mastectomy one side was a regular mastectomy the other side was the radical mastectomy. I went through six months of chemo. I'm doing fine. Chemo was no fun but I made it. 20 years cancer free. I am thankful and grateful everyday I wake up. Good luck to you.

stephanieinglett
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I’ve been through 6 months of chemo. It’s hard, but worth the fight. May the good Lord be with you. Mine was in 1991. I don’t know what your faith journey has been, but I promise you, if you give Jesus a chance, he will fill all those empty places. Much love and empathy.

wtillett
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As a survivor I can promise you... everything you are feeling is normal and it WILL get better. I did 8 cycles. My last one was in March. It felt like if the cancer didn't kill me then the chemo would. It's so hard to see it right now but you will get through this. Your mind, body, and soul is on a journey of its own to heal and protect. You will be amazed at what you can endure when this is over. Life is so fragile yet we are so incredibly strong. Be brave. Feel your emotions, don't ignore them. Let your body do what it needs to do. It's going to be awful but I, and everyone else who has survived, can promise you... you WILL be you again. There is a method to the chemo chaos. Just hold on. You're halfway there.

kiddoiam
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I beat stage 4 throat cancer ! I pray for strength and peace for you as you fight this battle! God bless you!!

francesjuntunen
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Hey Jessica!! I'm a cancer survivor as well. I had colon cancer back in 2020, and after surgery I underwent 12 rounds of chemotherapy. It's true that we "forget" how awful chemo is and how it makes us feel. Everything you've described brought me right back. We're waiting for you to join the post-chemo club! You're gonna look back at this time and think *I DID THAT!!!* Sending you hugs for the bad days <3

amandalg
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My surgeon asked me to describe chemo to him. I remember saying, "It is like falling down a long hole and having to claw your way back up each time. You get to the top and then its time for another round." Blessings to you. Crying gets rid of spent cancer cells. That is my view!!

lynnoaks
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My final chemo today, will be ringing that bell. Stay strong and you be done !

minnesotagal
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I've recently finished my 6 chemo treatments and something you said was so important. If you feel something weird let them know. During my 1st treatment with Taxol I had a serious allergic reaction. 10 minutes in I got a pain shoot right up my spine so bad it took my breath away. They stopped the drip and gave me more allergy meds and started again. Another few minutes in I was on the phone to my husband (he wasn't allowed into the hospital due to Covid rules) and I all of the sudden couldn't breath. They stopped treatment again and put me on oxygen and upped the anti-allergy meds again and continued the treatment. Later that night the hives started. I went to the ER but nobody knew what was causing the hives. You could actually see the hives forming all over my body and then the swelling. They sent me home with more anti-allergy meds. Less than 12 hours later I was rush by ambulance to the hospital in heart failure, swollen all over and covered in hives. I was in the hospital for 5 days until I (with way too much time on my hands to research found the problem). Apparently, there is something in Taxol that some people can be allergic to that is rare. The one thing that can save my life I'm allergic to. Anyway, they changed my chemo and I finished out my treatments. I'm now on chemo pills and am in remission. Best of luck for your treatments.

debbiekeltz-wolk
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I'm 16 months into remission from metastatic colon cancer. It was hard watching this. I went through 17 chemo cycles total and it's really really hard to forget. The crash after chemo is rough but so are the sleepless nights of thinking. The ups and downs are so hard on top of the physical challenges. Hang in there and talk to your doctor about the depression.

cristincarter
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Jessica, I haven't had cancer or gone through chemotherapy, but I can certainly identify with your feelings (I was severely injured). I experienced many of the same feelings you describe. Know that others have gone through similar emotions and understand where you're coming from. You're right--be kind to yourself (I wish I was kinder to myself when I was going through all that) and rely on Brian, your puppies, your parents, your friends, and this community to help support you, especially when your emotions are so low and you're so emotionally vulnerable. You are loved and we are all here for you.

janhankins
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Jessica, you are doing such a selfless service sharing your experience with others. Keep up the good fight. It will get better. You and Brian are in my prayers.

sturkfeld
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Dearest Jessica. There are many C survivors in my family. It is the toughest fight, but the reward is more life. Keep fighting and praying dear. You will conquer this.

pawshands
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Dearest Jessica:, You are such an inspiration on so many levels. Putting all this out there in such an articulate and honest manner cannot be easy, but I trust you are and will be helping so many others who are/will be facing this journey. Thanks for all you and Brian do AND also a special Shout Out to your amazing husband Brian, a super mensch (as we say in my faith community) and videographer/producer extraordinaire.

kathleensouthern
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Dear Jessica,
Been through three years of treatments before a successful treatment three years ago. I’ve experienced everything you’re going through. My heart reaches out to you and to your heart. Thank you for sharing your journey and helping so many others. Many prayers to you! ❤ Keep up your spirit and don’t let any doubt creep in! You can see do this!

janc
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I'm a nurse and I've had many surgical patients with nausea and (believe it or not) sniffing alcohol pads is very helpful for them. It's easy enough for you to try. You have a wonderful attitude and I'm certain your clean diet will help tremendously! Best wishes!!

KW-dppy
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You will feel differently after chemo is all over. After listening to you, I went back to my journal (which I started keeping midway through my chemo journey. As I read I realized I hardly remember exactly how bad it was. Each chemo treatment caused me more fatigue and more aches and pains as I went along. Yes chemo is a roller coaster. It is boring while you are getting infusions, so I would sleep (thanks to the benedryl), and then I would read a book. I love to read, so that helped. But it had to be light reading--I couldn't handle anything heavy that would help one think. I am praying for you and know that you are tough and that you'll make it through. There will be an end. I've been in remission for ten years. My cancer was Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

gloriagross
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I want to say how much I respect and admire you for sharing your cancer and chemo experience with us. It is raw and honest. Sending rainbows of positivity.

sweingold
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Ah, prayers for you, Dear One. I am one month post chemo, 2 weeks post surgery, and everything you're feeling is spot-on and understandable. I felt lots of that too. The long nights of lying in bed waiting until sleep or the day comes are hard--I wondered about the same kinds of things during those times. I also found it very difficult to describe to others. It's a solitary experience in many ways even if you're surrounded by lots of people who love you. Hang in there, Friend. You are over halfway through. God bless. 💕

sacredheart
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On the same regimen of drugs every 3 weeks for endometrial cancer. Had round 4 on 9/21. I think you’re right when you say to be kind to yourself. Chemo brain has been upsetting. I’m still working at my job the days I feel able. I’m feeling all the feels too. Hang in there Jessica, you have many battle buddies rooting for you.

valeriecarr