So here's the short of it,
This morning I was giving serious thought to making a pallet in the bathroom!
And here's the long
This morning about 4:30 I thought it might be a good idea to just make a pallet in the bathroom and stay right there! I didn't - and by about 6:00 this morning, after more medicine, and lots of hope, I was back in my bed with my fingers wrapped around my "beach rosary" drifting off to a bit more sleep. Once waking, I've tried to stay "low and slow" for most of the day.
I have been tired today, but better than yesterday. It's funny, but when I walk it feels like I'm in a pool, walking through the water. I guess that's just the fatigue? I anticipate that I'm on the upward swing now. I did try working some today on a project that uses a spread sheet, and discovered that looking at the computer screen made me nauseous. (I do the blog by just not looking at what I'm typing.) I also can't read very much without getting nausea - so since I don't have much energy, I've been channel surfing between the Food Network and HGTV. I get so hungry - but I know that none of those dishes would taste anything like my imagination.
I am so grateful for all those of you who are keeping me close in your thoughts and prayers. I believe that I'm blessed beyond all imagination with the kind of support that I've been experiencing.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Still Managing!
So here's the short of it,
Another day close to home managing side effects.
And here's the long
I haven't been sleeping all day like I did yesterday, but I have stayed really close to the house (make that bathroom) as I work on managing my diarrhea! I am so much better than after the first big chemo treatment and I am so grateful for that. I know exactly what to take and how soon to take it. I'm learning to rely on the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) and a recipe for fluff that my oncology nurse gave me. She actually called another patient for the recipe last Friday while I was having my treatment! My nausea has pretty much abated. There is just a hint of it around - just enough to make me feel yucky, but nothing like before. I'm also dealing with lots of gas - the burping variety. It's so charming! I do have something to take for that as well, but it doesn't entirely keep it subdued.
I've not eaten much for two days - I'm trying to make sure that I get plenty to drink - they'll check my electrolytes Friday along with all the other blood work they do - but I feel like I'm doing OK in that regard. I am managing popsicles along with the BRAT stuff, as well as other liquids.
I have tried to do some work off and on today, but it makes me a bit woozy to look at the computer screen - here's hoping tomorrow will be a better day for getting one more little piece done.
Another day close to home managing side effects.
And here's the long
I haven't been sleeping all day like I did yesterday, but I have stayed really close to the house (make that bathroom) as I work on managing my diarrhea! I am so much better than after the first big chemo treatment and I am so grateful for that. I know exactly what to take and how soon to take it. I'm learning to rely on the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) and a recipe for fluff that my oncology nurse gave me. She actually called another patient for the recipe last Friday while I was having my treatment! My nausea has pretty much abated. There is just a hint of it around - just enough to make me feel yucky, but nothing like before. I'm also dealing with lots of gas - the burping variety. It's so charming! I do have something to take for that as well, but it doesn't entirely keep it subdued.
I've not eaten much for two days - I'm trying to make sure that I get plenty to drink - they'll check my electrolytes Friday along with all the other blood work they do - but I feel like I'm doing OK in that regard. I am managing popsicles along with the BRAT stuff, as well as other liquids.
I have tried to do some work off and on today, but it makes me a bit woozy to look at the computer screen - here's hoping tomorrow will be a better day for getting one more little piece done.
So here's the short of it,
Well, I was down for the count!
And here's the long
Yesterday morning, I started to feel nauseous so I took the nausea medicine, and I slept all day until about 5 o'clock or so. I was up for several hours and then back to bed for the night - and I slept all night.
So except for dreaming strange dreams about school start up and sleeping there's not much going on here. I'm not going to do much of an entry today because working on the computer isn't seeming to help my condition very much.
Well, I was down for the count!
And here's the long
Yesterday morning, I started to feel nauseous so I took the nausea medicine, and I slept all day until about 5 o'clock or so. I was up for several hours and then back to bed for the night - and I slept all night.
So except for dreaming strange dreams about school start up and sleeping there's not much going on here. I'm not going to do much of an entry today because working on the computer isn't seeming to help my condition very much.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Managing Better
So here's the short of it,
I'm managing better this time! -- so far.
And here's the long
My most dreaded side effect (so far) is back! Yes, the diarrhea. I thought I was keeping it at bay with the first medicine, but this morning, it hit. I immediately began the secondary medicine routine that I learned the last time, and so far, so good. Now, that doesn't mean I'm in normal condition, but so far compared to last time, much better!
I did nap a good bit of the afternoon today - I'm hoping I will sleep tonight. I sure don't want to get my days and nights mixed up. I'm optimistically thinking that I'll have a better time of it in the next few days than I did after my first treatment.
The thoughts and prayers of family and friends and friends who are like family are bolstering my spirits and helping me to weather this!
I'm managing better this time! -- so far.
And here's the long
My most dreaded side effect (so far) is back! Yes, the diarrhea. I thought I was keeping it at bay with the first medicine, but this morning, it hit. I immediately began the secondary medicine routine that I learned the last time, and so far, so good. Now, that doesn't mean I'm in normal condition, but so far compared to last time, much better!
I did nap a good bit of the afternoon today - I'm hoping I will sleep tonight. I sure don't want to get my days and nights mixed up. I'm optimistically thinking that I'll have a better time of it in the next few days than I did after my first treatment.
The thoughts and prayers of family and friends and friends who are like family are bolstering my spirits and helping me to weather this!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
So here's the short of it,
The anti-nausea medicine made me sleepy today.
And here's the long.
I felt a bit queasy this morning even after taking my big anti-nausea medicine, so I followed orders and took another one of the meds for anti-nausea. It made me sleepy for most of the day. I wasn't in that awful dark sleep as before, but nevertheless, I slept on the sofa most all day today.
Mom called and woke me on her way home from the hospital this evening to let me know she was stopping by to check on me. It roused me from my sleeping and I've been somewhat awake for the last hour or so. Even though I hardly remember my conversation with Mom, but I'm glad she woke me! I'll have to get her to repeat most of what she told me later.
So far the only other side effects besides the queasiness are burning feet and my taste beginning to fade. I'm hoping that each time gets easier! Please know that I feel your prayers, love, and support through all of this.
The anti-nausea medicine made me sleepy today.
And here's the long.
I felt a bit queasy this morning even after taking my big anti-nausea medicine, so I followed orders and took another one of the meds for anti-nausea. It made me sleepy for most of the day. I wasn't in that awful dark sleep as before, but nevertheless, I slept on the sofa most all day today.
Mom called and woke me on her way home from the hospital this evening to let me know she was stopping by to check on me. It roused me from my sleeping and I've been somewhat awake for the last hour or so. Even though I hardly remember my conversation with Mom, but I'm glad she woke me! I'll have to get her to repeat most of what she told me later.
So far the only other side effects besides the queasiness are burning feet and my taste beginning to fade. I'm hoping that each time gets easier! Please know that I feel your prayers, love, and support through all of this.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Another One Down!
So here's the short of it,
I've finished 1/3 of my "big" chemo treatments!
And here's the long
Today was my 2nd of 6 of the "big" chemo treatments. That means I've finished a third of those treatments. I will have them completed by my birthday and I think that will be a great thing to celebrate.
It went a bit faster today. I got there at 11:00 and was all done by just a little after 3:00. Today, Alan and Liga went with me - Liga stayed until a little after 2:00 when she had to leave for work. The treatment made me sleepy again, so at one point Liga (who got up earlier than her regular getting up time) stretched out with me in the chair and we took a nap together. That was a very sweet time for me. Another time you can imagine me in a recliner with my feet up on an ottoman, and Liga and Alan in chairs facing me with their feet up on the ottoman too. That was another very cozy, nice feeling.
So far tonight I'm not having lots of side effects. I can feel that fatigue coming on that doesn't have anything to do with the way I've always gotten tired before! I'm having some hot flashes and chills - I've dubbed my big black sweater my chemotherapy sweater and it's just the thing. I wear it in the treatment center, and I'm wearing it around the house when I have a chill. I am just a tad headachey, and the bottom of my feet are on fire again! But I promise, nothing is so bad. I feel really lucky that I still feel so great tonight.
Alan's nephew, David and his wife Deborah, and their two sons Noah and Evan are in town, and I felt well enough to go have dinner and a visit with them this evening. It was so nice! I got a good spirtual uplift. Evan who is now four went through chemotherapy treatment for lymphoma, so it gave me great courage to face the days ahead to see him racing around and playing.
So tonight I'm very thankful to Alan and Liga for being with me today during my treatment. And I'm thankful for getting to see so much family over the last few days. I'm very thankful that I had a week when it was really OK for me to go see Dad without worrying about my immunity.
I've finished 1/3 of my "big" chemo treatments!
And here's the long
Today was my 2nd of 6 of the "big" chemo treatments. That means I've finished a third of those treatments. I will have them completed by my birthday and I think that will be a great thing to celebrate.
It went a bit faster today. I got there at 11:00 and was all done by just a little after 3:00. Today, Alan and Liga went with me - Liga stayed until a little after 2:00 when she had to leave for work. The treatment made me sleepy again, so at one point Liga (who got up earlier than her regular getting up time) stretched out with me in the chair and we took a nap together. That was a very sweet time for me. Another time you can imagine me in a recliner with my feet up on an ottoman, and Liga and Alan in chairs facing me with their feet up on the ottoman too. That was another very cozy, nice feeling.
So far tonight I'm not having lots of side effects. I can feel that fatigue coming on that doesn't have anything to do with the way I've always gotten tired before! I'm having some hot flashes and chills - I've dubbed my big black sweater my chemotherapy sweater and it's just the thing. I wear it in the treatment center, and I'm wearing it around the house when I have a chill. I am just a tad headachey, and the bottom of my feet are on fire again! But I promise, nothing is so bad. I feel really lucky that I still feel so great tonight.
Alan's nephew, David and his wife Deborah, and their two sons Noah and Evan are in town, and I felt well enough to go have dinner and a visit with them this evening. It was so nice! I got a good spirtual uplift. Evan who is now four went through chemotherapy treatment for lymphoma, so it gave me great courage to face the days ahead to see him racing around and playing.
So tonight I'm very thankful to Alan and Liga for being with me today during my treatment. And I'm thankful for getting to see so much family over the last few days. I'm very thankful that I had a week when it was really OK for me to go see Dad without worrying about my immunity.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
So here's the short of it,
My next big treatment is tomorrow.
And here's the long
Well tomorrow I have another "big chemo treatment" - the triple dose of Taxotere, Carboplatin, and Herceptin. I've had a great week, culminating in a very busy and good day today. I've been out of the house almost all day long, and am just arriving home at a little before ten. I have that sweet weariness that comes from being engaged and busy in the world (instead of that awful tiredness that comes from inactivity and sickness).
I had a good visit with Dad today. He's such an inspiration to me - he has such a good spirit; he's patient; and he is working so diligently at the tasks that are presented for him to work on. I am trying to have that attitude about the things that will be on my plate! I'll stay away from him after tomorrow as my blood counts will start going down and I won't really know when they will reach the point that I shouldn't be in a hospital. That's very frustrating for me.
I have to say that I'm somewhat anxious about the treatment tomorrow... actually it's not the treatment. Last time, I did just fine on the day of the treatment and the next day...I'm just trying to steel myself for the next days coming. As my sister-in-law reminded me, I've got some more tools in my arsenal, and I know what to expect and how to tackle it at the first sign, so I think I can manage better with this round. I've also heard several people say that the rounds get easier as time goes by. That's sure hopeful.
Prayers of all varieties are solicited and accepted.
My next big treatment is tomorrow.
And here's the long
Well tomorrow I have another "big chemo treatment" - the triple dose of Taxotere, Carboplatin, and Herceptin. I've had a great week, culminating in a very busy and good day today. I've been out of the house almost all day long, and am just arriving home at a little before ten. I have that sweet weariness that comes from being engaged and busy in the world (instead of that awful tiredness that comes from inactivity and sickness).
I had a good visit with Dad today. He's such an inspiration to me - he has such a good spirit; he's patient; and he is working so diligently at the tasks that are presented for him to work on. I am trying to have that attitude about the things that will be on my plate! I'll stay away from him after tomorrow as my blood counts will start going down and I won't really know when they will reach the point that I shouldn't be in a hospital. That's very frustrating for me.
I have to say that I'm somewhat anxious about the treatment tomorrow... actually it's not the treatment. Last time, I did just fine on the day of the treatment and the next day...I'm just trying to steel myself for the next days coming. As my sister-in-law reminded me, I've got some more tools in my arsenal, and I know what to expect and how to tackle it at the first sign, so I think I can manage better with this round. I've also heard several people say that the rounds get easier as time goes by. That's sure hopeful.
Prayers of all varieties are solicited and accepted.
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