Chemotherapy wedding plans

[libbyisi]

I'm scheduled to start chemotherapy (paclitaxel & carboplatin) in a month for Stage I Clear cell carcinoma.  About 2 weeks ago I underwent laparotomy having my left ovary and tube removed along with a softball-sized endometrium. In this endometrium was the clear cell, raising curiosity from my docs since I am only 24 and since clear cell is apparently rarely found in endometrium.

My question:
My fiance and I are deeply involved into planning our wedding scheduled for May 26, 2007.  Around that time I will be receiving my 5th dose of chemo.  I understand that each person has a unique experience with chemotherapy and its side-effects, but would anyone have any advice for me as to whether I should postpone the wedding (therefore losing deposits we paid, sending out notices etc) or should I go ahead with the date planned?


I'm a new member, this is my first posting, and I must say I have found inspiration and comfort in reading previous postings.  Thank You.

Best, Libby

[baguba]

For what it is worth, I think you've made the right decision.  You are lucky to have the support and love of your fiance and family.  I wish you God's blessings as you take on this ordeal, and we all look forward to hearing about your progress in your treatments AND in your wedding planning.  God Bless!  Judie :)

[libbyisi]

Thank you all for responding so quickly - while I was secretly hoping everyone would write back and tell me that I would feel fine and that I should go ahead with the wedding, I know the reality of it is quite different...I just needed to hear it from people who know firsthand.  Our wedding is going to be held at a country club in northeastern PA, which I hate to give up, but fortunately my fiance and our families are completely supportive.  
After reading your responses I will most likely move the wedding to a later date - it just gives me time to plan a bigger and better wedding :)

Thank you all!  What a great help -

Best, Libby

[Tandy]

Hi Libby - Wedding plans can be complicated and frustrating to say the least, however, if you can get your head round allowing the venue to deal with all the bits and bobs they are expert at and not taking on too  much strain before the wedding even if you feel not quite so good you will will enjoy your wonderful day.   Although you obviously want your quests to have a good time make sure you have a great time even at their expense.   I was married late (51 years young) and my friends could not believe how little we had to do - I was not an expert at arranging a wedding so we left everything up to the experts, even to the tuen the band played for our first dance, and I will say we had a wonderful day and our family now think it was one of the best family wedding we have had and there are a lot of us.   I feel if you wait for the right time you could wait a long time - as you know bookings are not easy to get at some times of the year and May is such a lovely time.   Where are you?
By the way I am one of the people who have sailed though many chemos but know how awful if can be if you are badly affected as well, I'v had seven lots to date and heading for radiotherapy next before starting chemo again.
Enjoy your wedding whatever you decide and God Bless
Helen Jane

[Barney22]

Hello there libby - everyone is different in how they respond to chemo and you do have youth on your side in terms of strength and capacity to bounce back.  However, having said that, tybear is right in saying the taxol/carbo combination is very tough for the majority of women, especially the taxol component.  If they keep you on the combination through the 6 cycles (sometimes patients are taken off the taxol before the end and just have carboplatin throughout), you may well find yourself very very tired and unable to function as normal.  You will also lose your hair including eyebrows and eyelashes I'm afraid - I guess you have been told that?  Your hair etc will start growing again quite soon after you come off the taxol - but it takes a bit of time to get a reasonable length - but it soon looks quite cool!  According to my kids!  None of that may matter to you and I'd admire you for that.  I have met only one person who sailed through the whole thing without any real side effects apart from the hair loss - her doctor thought she was unique but you could of course be the second one!  Good luck with your decision.

[Tybear]

Hi Libby and welcome... there are lots of women who have gone before you here and can offer loads of advice. 24 is very young... I was 26 and am going through chemo for the second time now. I'm going to be honest ... by my 5th treatment, I felt like ****. Are you sure you want to continue the stress of planning a wedding while your going through all this? I understand about the deposits and such, but I would hate for you to plan this day, and then feel so sick, that you can't enjoy it as you are supposed to. What does your fiancee and family think about all of it? Taxol/carbo is seriously one of the toughest chemo regimes out there...it takes a lot out of you. I know the stresses of planning a wedding and I just worry that you'd be dragging your body down at a time when it's imperitaive to keep healthy. That's just my 2 cents though...Good Luck in whatever you decide.
Becky