So here's the short of it,
Much like my first treatment, I'm beginning to regain my strength and am feeling better in the second week.
And here's the long
It's 12 days since my big chemo treatment and I'm feeling better, gaining strength and stamina, and having that urge to get out and do something. I'm eager to have my blood count this Friday because I feel pretty sure I'll be released from my house arrest status. I'll go directly to see Dad when that happens!
I'm beginning to get my taste back again, even though lots of stuff still tastes different or kind of off. Looks like I'll have a few days to enjoy before that gets zapped with the next big treatment. I also slept better last night than I have in several days - I'm sure that helped me feel stronger today.
My brother Steve and his wife Pat are here today. Steve will go home tomorrow, but Pat will stay for a few days to help Mom do some things around her house. Mom is also going to help her make beet pickles. Visit Mom and Dad's blog for the beet pickle story. My Aunt Joyce is also down for the evening. Alan picked up dinner at a Chinese take out and we went down there for dinner tonight. I walked back home!
Thanks again to everyone of you who have given me your support in so many ways over the last weeks. The knowledge that you are sending good thoughts and prayers sustains me in ways that I cannot even begin to explain.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
So here's the short of it,
I have had a good day with more energy than I've had since my last treatment.
And here's the long
My symptoms are managed! Now, that doesn't mean gone, but it means that I'm managing enough that I've had a really good day. This morning, I walked around the circle three times. I'll have to admit that every time around I got slower, and that by the time I got around the third time, I wondered if I'd make it up the front steps, but I did it. I intend to do that again tomorrow!
I also felt good enough to putter around the house a little. Now, one more time do not think I did any major housework - mmmm.....how long since I've done that!! But I did feel good enough to push a broom and a dust cloth around a little.
My Dad had surgery on his pressure sore today. Look at Emily and Gene's Blog for an update on how that's all going. Mom's sister Joyce came down to spend the evening with Mom and they came by for dinner. I had a notion that I might like pizza, something I haven't had for a very long time. So I ordered in and it actually had a bit of taste. Maybe by the beginning of next week, food will start to taste good again for a few days before my next treatment.
One thing that some chemo patients have apparently retained a taste for is the the Sonic slushie. I got a strawberry one the other day - and it was way too sweet - so I put it in my retro vita-mix along with 3X the sonic ice and an equal amount of orange juice to cut the sweetness and then I froze it in small portions. Now it tastes pretty OK, and I've been enjoying that a bit at a time throughout the day today.
I'm looking forward to increased strength and stamina over the next week and a half, and I'm so looking forward to hearing that my blood counts are back up when I go in for my Herceptin on Friday.
I have had a good day with more energy than I've had since my last treatment.
And here's the long
My symptoms are managed! Now, that doesn't mean gone, but it means that I'm managing enough that I've had a really good day. This morning, I walked around the circle three times. I'll have to admit that every time around I got slower, and that by the time I got around the third time, I wondered if I'd make it up the front steps, but I did it. I intend to do that again tomorrow!
I also felt good enough to putter around the house a little. Now, one more time do not think I did any major housework - mmmm.....how long since I've done that!! But I did feel good enough to push a broom and a dust cloth around a little.
My Dad had surgery on his pressure sore today. Look at Emily and Gene's Blog for an update on how that's all going. Mom's sister Joyce came down to spend the evening with Mom and they came by for dinner. I had a notion that I might like pizza, something I haven't had for a very long time. So I ordered in and it actually had a bit of taste. Maybe by the beginning of next week, food will start to taste good again for a few days before my next treatment.
One thing that some chemo patients have apparently retained a taste for is the the Sonic slushie. I got a strawberry one the other day - and it was way too sweet - so I put it in my retro vita-mix along with 3X the sonic ice and an equal amount of orange juice to cut the sweetness and then I froze it in small portions. Now it tastes pretty OK, and I've been enjoying that a bit at a time throughout the day today.
I'm looking forward to increased strength and stamina over the next week and a half, and I'm so looking forward to hearing that my blood counts are back up when I go in for my Herceptin on Friday.
Monday, July 20, 2009
So here's the short of it,
I'm on the upward part of this cycle of treatment.
My Dad had to go back to Erlanger this evening.
And here's the long
I'm feeling about the same as I did yesterday, I definitely haven't gone backwards on any symptoms. This really makes me think I'm beginning the upward climb on this cycle. I still have to stay near the bathroom, so I don't even want to go out of the house very far even if I could.
So on my no-no list for the week after my blood counts are down or when I reach the nadir are these things: no going into public places where I may be exposed to contagious diseases; no visits from people who are sick, have just been sick, or have been exposed to a contagious disease; no eating any raw foods; no getting my hands dirty (no pulling weeds, or digging in the garden); and of course that means no visiting my Dad at the hospital. So the first week after my treatment, I'm too sick to even think about doing those things anyway, and the second week I'm on prohibition from doing them. Then in the third week, if everything goes as before, my blood counts should be back up; I should be feeling pretty good, and I'll be off all those prohibitions.
My Dad had to return to Erlanger this evening because of the pressure sore on his back. It has grown and become a concern. The surgeon who has privileges at Kindred is on vacation, and his doctor felt like he needed to have a procedure called debridement. This will happen in the next day or two at Erlanger by someone from the University Surgical Group (same group as my surgeon and Alan's surgeon). We'll keep details posted on Mom and Dad's blog.
In the meantime, I'm looking forward to a little better day tomorrow.
I'm on the upward part of this cycle of treatment.
My Dad had to go back to Erlanger this evening.
And here's the long
I'm feeling about the same as I did yesterday, I definitely haven't gone backwards on any symptoms. This really makes me think I'm beginning the upward climb on this cycle. I still have to stay near the bathroom, so I don't even want to go out of the house very far even if I could.
So on my no-no list for the week after my blood counts are down or when I reach the nadir are these things: no going into public places where I may be exposed to contagious diseases; no visits from people who are sick, have just been sick, or have been exposed to a contagious disease; no eating any raw foods; no getting my hands dirty (no pulling weeds, or digging in the garden); and of course that means no visiting my Dad at the hospital. So the first week after my treatment, I'm too sick to even think about doing those things anyway, and the second week I'm on prohibition from doing them. Then in the third week, if everything goes as before, my blood counts should be back up; I should be feeling pretty good, and I'll be off all those prohibitions.
My Dad had to return to Erlanger this evening because of the pressure sore on his back. It has grown and become a concern. The surgeon who has privileges at Kindred is on vacation, and his doctor felt like he needed to have a procedure called debridement. This will happen in the next day or two at Erlanger by someone from the University Surgical Group (same group as my surgeon and Alan's surgeon). We'll keep details posted on Mom and Dad's blog.
In the meantime, I'm looking forward to a little better day tomorrow.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Feeling Better and Hair
So here's the short of it,
I'm feeling better, and here's another hair story.
And here's the long
In general, I'm on the upward curve again. Today has been a better day than yesterday, which was a better day than the day before, and so on. I still don't have lot's of energy or stamina, and haven't accomplished much today. Of course, another of the lessons I think I'm supposed to be learning is that I don't have to accomplish something every day. There are lots of days that just being is all that I can manage.
For the last several days, my buzz cut hair has been falling out in amazing amounts. It was better than the longer stuff, but uncomfortable when it fell down my blouse or onto my neck. I've got two of the "cancer bald" spots right where my horns normally are! The rest of it I shaved off in the shower this morning. It was really interesting - when I shaved, lots of the hair came out as though the razor pulled it out by the roots. Anyway, we'll see what happens next in the hair saga.
Tomorrow, is my normal report back to work day, but my blood counts are too low to be going out. So, I'll tackle that problem tomorrow. I don't have enough stamina to work a full day right now anyway, but I know everything will fall into place.
I'm feeling better, and here's another hair story.
And here's the long
In general, I'm on the upward curve again. Today has been a better day than yesterday, which was a better day than the day before, and so on. I still don't have lot's of energy or stamina, and haven't accomplished much today. Of course, another of the lessons I think I'm supposed to be learning is that I don't have to accomplish something every day. There are lots of days that just being is all that I can manage.
For the last several days, my buzz cut hair has been falling out in amazing amounts. It was better than the longer stuff, but uncomfortable when it fell down my blouse or onto my neck. I've got two of the "cancer bald" spots right where my horns normally are! The rest of it I shaved off in the shower this morning. It was really interesting - when I shaved, lots of the hair came out as though the razor pulled it out by the roots. Anyway, we'll see what happens next in the hair saga.
Tomorrow, is my normal report back to work day, but my blood counts are too low to be going out. So, I'll tackle that problem tomorrow. I don't have enough stamina to work a full day right now anyway, but I know everything will fall into place.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Turning the corner from this treatment
So here's the short of it,
I've turned the corner and have felt pretty good today.
And here's the long
Well, I could tell as I began to wake this morning, that I was going to have a better day. And that has been the case. I have still wanted to be very near the bathroom, but I've had enough energy to putter around in the kitchen, and walk outside to see Alan a couple of times. (He was working on cleaning out the garage.) And as my oncology nurse says, I'm managing my symptoms.
My taster is still out of whack! This morning after I woke up I thought to myself - wow, french toast would sure taste good for breakfast. Now, I should have thought brunch considering the hour. But I had enough energy to beat up an egg and dip a piece of bread. Anyway, I made it and it tasted so much like nothing! I was really disappointed. How could I have forgotten last time. There is a good lesson for me in this all. I've always been a person who loves food and turns to food in good times and bad. What better way to celebrate, or to share your worries with a friend than over a great meal. So one of the lessons I can take from this is that in this time when I need nurturing more than ever - food isn't going to do that for me. Mom made dinner at her house tonight and I drove down there and the two of us had a nice visit before she went down to Kindred for the night. The visit was wonderful and just as nurturing as the food might have been in another time.
I felt so much better that after dinner I went out for a walk around our circle. Our across the circle neighbors, the Hall's, were just coming into the circle from their own walk and I had the opportunity to actually visit with someone outside the family for a bit. What a nice way to end the evening. I took an extra turn around the circle with Jeannie walking with me and could really tell how my stamina has decreased this past week.
It's kind of hard to keep reminding myself, since I started feeling better that I'm not supposed to go out or really be around folks very much. "House Arrest", is what I've jokingly called it. I think that might turn out to be not so much a joke before this is all over!
I've turned the corner and have felt pretty good today.
And here's the long
Well, I could tell as I began to wake this morning, that I was going to have a better day. And that has been the case. I have still wanted to be very near the bathroom, but I've had enough energy to putter around in the kitchen, and walk outside to see Alan a couple of times. (He was working on cleaning out the garage.) And as my oncology nurse says, I'm managing my symptoms.
My taster is still out of whack! This morning after I woke up I thought to myself - wow, french toast would sure taste good for breakfast. Now, I should have thought brunch considering the hour. But I had enough energy to beat up an egg and dip a piece of bread. Anyway, I made it and it tasted so much like nothing! I was really disappointed. How could I have forgotten last time. There is a good lesson for me in this all. I've always been a person who loves food and turns to food in good times and bad. What better way to celebrate, or to share your worries with a friend than over a great meal. So one of the lessons I can take from this is that in this time when I need nurturing more than ever - food isn't going to do that for me. Mom made dinner at her house tonight and I drove down there and the two of us had a nice visit before she went down to Kindred for the night. The visit was wonderful and just as nurturing as the food might have been in another time.
I felt so much better that after dinner I went out for a walk around our circle. Our across the circle neighbors, the Hall's, were just coming into the circle from their own walk and I had the opportunity to actually visit with someone outside the family for a bit. What a nice way to end the evening. I took an extra turn around the circle with Jeannie walking with me and could really tell how my stamina has decreased this past week.
It's kind of hard to keep reminding myself, since I started feeling better that I'm not supposed to go out or really be around folks very much. "House Arrest", is what I've jokingly called it. I think that might turn out to be not so much a joke before this is all over!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Maybe a Better Tomorrow
So here's the short of it,
Not such a good day after all.
And here's the long
Well, yesterday, I was just sure that I was experiencing all the signs of a better day coming. Boy, was I wrong! From about 6 this morning until nearly 11, I was either in the bathroom, the bed, or taking medicine. The bug man was coming today, and I wanted to be out of bed and dressed when he got here so I got a shower and started to get dressed - then that nausea that's been "just at the edge of my consciousness" hit me hard. I had tried to drink a strawberry glucerna (a diabetic instant breakfast option) and got down about 1/2 before I got in the shower. Well, it didn't stay down long at all.
The rest of the afternoon I was dressed but on the sofa in the den - really near the back bathroom. I took nausea medicine and sucked on ice. At one point I thought I'd drink some propel, but that was not a good idea.
Alan took me to my Herceptin treatment this afternoon and Mom met us there. My wonderful oncology nurse said "next time that happens, just call us and come in early, we'll get you taken care of". She gave me some nausea medicine through my port - they call it "pushing" - when they inject through the port instead of dripping. By the time I was finished with the drip, I was feeling well enough to eat a couple of saltines.
This evening I felt well enough to have a boiled egg, and I'm optimistic that tomorrow will be better. My blood counts are way down again, so I have to be really careful about exposing myself to any possible bad stuff. I'm also scheduled to go back to work on Monday. I'll have to figure that one out on Monday morning when I see how I feel and where I might be able to work in an isolated place.
My Mom and Dad's great little companion, Mollie Blue, died this morning. She could no longer walk and was not eating. Her congestive heart failure had filled most of her lungs. Mom went to the vet's office where Mollie spent the night, and held her while she was euthanized. She brought her home and buried her in a grave that Patrick, my nephew, had made ready. I know this was such a difficult decision for Mom, but I think she was very clear headed about how impossible it would be to care for Mollie, while spending the time she needs to take care of Dad's needs. I am quite sad about it as well. Sometimes it seems as if the whole landscape of my life is changing like a time lapse video.
Not such a good day after all.
And here's the long
Well, yesterday, I was just sure that I was experiencing all the signs of a better day coming. Boy, was I wrong! From about 6 this morning until nearly 11, I was either in the bathroom, the bed, or taking medicine. The bug man was coming today, and I wanted to be out of bed and dressed when he got here so I got a shower and started to get dressed - then that nausea that's been "just at the edge of my consciousness" hit me hard. I had tried to drink a strawberry glucerna (a diabetic instant breakfast option) and got down about 1/2 before I got in the shower. Well, it didn't stay down long at all.
The rest of the afternoon I was dressed but on the sofa in the den - really near the back bathroom. I took nausea medicine and sucked on ice. At one point I thought I'd drink some propel, but that was not a good idea.
Alan took me to my Herceptin treatment this afternoon and Mom met us there. My wonderful oncology nurse said "next time that happens, just call us and come in early, we'll get you taken care of". She gave me some nausea medicine through my port - they call it "pushing" - when they inject through the port instead of dripping. By the time I was finished with the drip, I was feeling well enough to eat a couple of saltines.
This evening I felt well enough to have a boiled egg, and I'm optimistic that tomorrow will be better. My blood counts are way down again, so I have to be really careful about exposing myself to any possible bad stuff. I'm also scheduled to go back to work on Monday. I'll have to figure that one out on Monday morning when I see how I feel and where I might be able to work in an isolated place.
My Mom and Dad's great little companion, Mollie Blue, died this morning. She could no longer walk and was not eating. Her congestive heart failure had filled most of her lungs. Mom went to the vet's office where Mollie spent the night, and held her while she was euthanized. She brought her home and buried her in a grave that Patrick, my nephew, had made ready. I know this was such a difficult decision for Mom, but I think she was very clear headed about how impossible it would be to care for Mollie, while spending the time she needs to take care of Dad's needs. I am quite sad about it as well. Sometimes it seems as if the whole landscape of my life is changing like a time lapse video.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wanting to feel better
So here's the short of it,
I'm eager to feel better!
And here's the long
Today - maybe could be described as on the cusp of something better. I've been really lazy. It's still hard to look at words or try to do any work except in my head. I still found that I really don't want to be too far from the house, and I have a yucky queasiness that's just at the edge of my consciousness. But on the whole I'm much improved! I can't wait for those days that I remember feeling lots better!
I'm hungry, and starting to want things to eat - but I know better! I know they will absolutely NOT taste like the food I am craving, and I'll be sorry. So I'm not eating any of the things I want - it's a really weird feeling.
I have a Herceptin treatment tomorrow afternoon. I should tolerate it quite well. So far I've noticed mainly a very drippy nose and fatigue as the side effects. It doesn't require me to screw up my courage quite as much either! I'll get a reading on my blood counts when I go in for my treatment. I'm going to ask about whether or not there's anything I can take that will make it safer for me to be out and about when my counts are down.
My Mom and Dad's sweet little dog Mollie's health is rapidly fading. She is at the vet's office overnight for some evaluation. She is such a great little dog and has been such a wonderful pet for them. I'm very sad.
Today I am particularly grateful for Donna's chicken soup/stew recipe...
I'm eager to feel better!
And here's the long
Today - maybe could be described as on the cusp of something better. I've been really lazy. It's still hard to look at words or try to do any work except in my head. I still found that I really don't want to be too far from the house, and I have a yucky queasiness that's just at the edge of my consciousness. But on the whole I'm much improved! I can't wait for those days that I remember feeling lots better!
I'm hungry, and starting to want things to eat - but I know better! I know they will absolutely NOT taste like the food I am craving, and I'll be sorry. So I'm not eating any of the things I want - it's a really weird feeling.
I have a Herceptin treatment tomorrow afternoon. I should tolerate it quite well. So far I've noticed mainly a very drippy nose and fatigue as the side effects. It doesn't require me to screw up my courage quite as much either! I'll get a reading on my blood counts when I go in for my treatment. I'm going to ask about whether or not there's anything I can take that will make it safer for me to be out and about when my counts are down.
My Mom and Dad's sweet little dog Mollie's health is rapidly fading. She is at the vet's office overnight for some evaluation. She is such a great little dog and has been such a wonderful pet for them. I'm very sad.
Today I am particularly grateful for Donna's chicken soup/stew recipe...
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