After tomorrow morning's treatment, I'll be 1/3 of the way through radiation. I keep making little milestones like so it'll go faster. It seems to be working. I feel like this leg of my treatment is moving along more quickly. It helps that I don't feel like crap for a week out of every two. I often leave work, get half undressed, get radiated, get dressed, and get back to work, all within an hour. The most it takes is an hour and 15 minutes.
I'm still not liking my radiology oncologist very well, but I'm hoping I'll change my mind about him. I wait for 10 minutes for him to spend 30 seconds with me. I had to find out online that I shouldn't wear deodorant, and when I asked his nurse about it, she confirmed that I should not. Thanks. That would have been good to know. I can wear the organic stuff, though, so I bought some of that.
I have a little irritation on that side, but it feels more like the top of my rib cage than it does my skin. I'll ask about that on Wednesday, but I don't expect him to have much to say about it. He certainly doesn't spend the time and ask the questions like my medical oncologist does. She even asks about my mental state and how I'm doing with working during treatment, etc. Maybe she's spoiled me.
I get my port out on November 8. I thought that was the day after my last treatment, but now that I'm checking the calendar, it's the Thursday before. After I get it out, I have 4 more treatments. They'll take it out during my office visit. I find that odd. I'll be glad to have rid of it, even though it really hasn't caused me any real problems. It sometimes irritates me a bit, but from some horror stories I've heard, I've been quite fortunate.
I haven't gotten sick, even though I have no white cells fighting for me. I've been pretty strict about avoiding sick people. I noticed today that my eye was irritated, and by afternoon, it felt like I was getting a stye. By the time we got home from mom's, the bump had developed. Yup. I have a stye. I'm a bit concerned, since that's an infection, so I'll call my doctor's office tomorrow and ask them if I should just let it go (which I've always done in the past...styes take care of themselves in a few days) or if they want me to take antibiotic.
It was a good weekend, all in all. I was happy to get to hang out at Dad's, see aunt Rena, and even visit a bit with a couple of uncles that I rarely see. I've avoided Mom and Dad's place for two weeks, because Dad and aunt Rena had been sick. They got better, so we got back to our weekend routine of going out there.
I feel pretty good, and from what I've heard and read, I'll keep getting better, bit by bit. Although I'm really tired at the end of each day, and exhausted at the end of the week, it still beats the heck out of chemo. There are times I feel almost normal. My hair is slowly starting to grow, too. it's just barely there right now, and it doesn't have any color yet, but I hope it will speed up soon. I am also curious to see what color it is when the color returns. I'm a walking science experiment.
Showing posts with label mom. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mom. Show all posts
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Monday, September 3, 2012
You Just Gotta Laugh
I have fewer "good days" on this drug, and they hit this weekend. Granted, my good days now feel a lot like days when I had the flu, pre-cancer, but I can function. I got tickled about something on Saturday night and laughed so hard that the girls thought I was crying.
Sunday morning, it happened again. Both girls and I laughed so hard that I nearly hurt myself. I realized, after all had calmed down, that I hadn't laughed that hard in over a month. Later yesterday, Kevin and the girls were gone, so I went to see Mom and Dad. As is typical for visiting them, there were quite a few laughs.
The past few days have made me realize that uninhibited, hard, tear-inducing laughter is something that cancer/chemo has stolen from me, and I think I miss it more than I miss my hair. I have two more days before my next round of chemo, and I plan to laugh every chance I get.
Having only four good days out of 14 will wake a person up to what is lacking. Laughter has been seriously lacking around here. I'll have to see what I can do about that. This goof ball usually helps in that department, even when demanding my attention that is being directed at blogging.
Sunday morning, it happened again. Both girls and I laughed so hard that I nearly hurt myself. I realized, after all had calmed down, that I hadn't laughed that hard in over a month. Later yesterday, Kevin and the girls were gone, so I went to see Mom and Dad. As is typical for visiting them, there were quite a few laughs.
The past few days have made me realize that uninhibited, hard, tear-inducing laughter is something that cancer/chemo has stolen from me, and I think I miss it more than I miss my hair. I have two more days before my next round of chemo, and I plan to laugh every chance I get.
Having only four good days out of 14 will wake a person up to what is lacking. Laughter has been seriously lacking around here. I'll have to see what I can do about that. This goof ball usually helps in that department, even when demanding my attention that is being directed at blogging.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Brief Update (Complaint Warning)
When I finished the A/C portion of my chemo and started Taxol, I was under the impression that it would be easier. I got my first infusion on Thursday, and felt pretty darned good. Friday, I went to work, still feeling good and thought I had it made.
After work, I had to stop for my Neulasta shot (it brings up my white count and is always 24 hours after chemo) and noticed, by the time I got there, that I was VERY tired. Oh well. I felt enough better that I may have overdone things a bit, and the weekend was here for me to recover.
Saturday, I was shocked at how badly my bone hurt. Traditionally, Neulasta causes bone pain, but it's been very predictable for me. I get the shot on day 2, and have pretty rough bone pain for 1 or 1 1/2 days around day 6. This was much worse, and much sooner, so I did some research and realized that Taxol causes bone and joint pain, too. Great.
Sunday was even worse, and by the afternoon, a fever had joined the party. WooFreakinHoo. Kevin called the on-call doctor (why do I never get sick during office hours?) and she told him to give me Tylenol and see if that brings it down. It was too early for me to be nutropenic (super-low whites, which hospitalized me last time) from the chemo, so she was willing to give it time to work itself out.
The Tylenol slowly brought down the fever, which had reached 101.8 at it's highest. With the fever down, we avoided a trip to the ER and I was told to go get blood drawn this morning. I woke feeling like I'd been drug behind a horse through the desert like in an old western, but showered and managed to get to the car. It was one of the few times ever that I was sorry to drive a standard transmission. My legs were screaming.
My blood counts were OK, but they drew a couple more vials to do some cultures on. I was then told to go home and rest. I did, which I will regret greatly on payday, but the four hour nap sided with the fact that I needed it.
The chemocare page on Taxol says that the pain duration should be "a few days." I am truly hoping that means I'll be able to tell a marked difference in the morning. I have pain pills, but I'd rather not take them at work unless I have to. I'd also like to be able to walk without wincing (and sometimes crying.) Mom made dinner for my family tonight, or it would have been ramen for sure.
Here's to a better tomorrow.
After work, I had to stop for my Neulasta shot (it brings up my white count and is always 24 hours after chemo) and noticed, by the time I got there, that I was VERY tired. Oh well. I felt enough better that I may have overdone things a bit, and the weekend was here for me to recover.
Saturday, I was shocked at how badly my bone hurt. Traditionally, Neulasta causes bone pain, but it's been very predictable for me. I get the shot on day 2, and have pretty rough bone pain for 1 or 1 1/2 days around day 6. This was much worse, and much sooner, so I did some research and realized that Taxol causes bone and joint pain, too. Great.
Sunday was even worse, and by the afternoon, a fever had joined the party. WooFreakinHoo. Kevin called the on-call doctor (why do I never get sick during office hours?) and she told him to give me Tylenol and see if that brings it down. It was too early for me to be nutropenic (super-low whites, which hospitalized me last time) from the chemo, so she was willing to give it time to work itself out.
The Tylenol slowly brought down the fever, which had reached 101.8 at it's highest. With the fever down, we avoided a trip to the ER and I was told to go get blood drawn this morning. I woke feeling like I'd been drug behind a horse through the desert like in an old western, but showered and managed to get to the car. It was one of the few times ever that I was sorry to drive a standard transmission. My legs were screaming.
My blood counts were OK, but they drew a couple more vials to do some cultures on. I was then told to go home and rest. I did, which I will regret greatly on payday, but the four hour nap sided with the fact that I needed it.
The chemocare page on Taxol says that the pain duration should be "a few days." I am truly hoping that means I'll be able to tell a marked difference in the morning. I have pain pills, but I'd rather not take them at work unless I have to. I'd also like to be able to walk without wincing (and sometimes crying.) Mom made dinner for my family tonight, or it would have been ramen for sure.
Here's to a better tomorrow.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Family, Kami, and the Bi-Weekly Crash
I surprised Kevin and the girls Friday night by nabbing Kami for the weekend. We haven't had her in over a month! I'm scared to keep her when I'm home alone because of the medications that I take (in case she tries to wake me up or something,) and we have had several weekends of company. This weekend found my family at home and no scheduled company, so I jumped at the chance.
Being day 3 of a chemo cycle, I was having trouble functioning Friday night when I stopped by mom's, but my brother is in town and I wanted to see what was going on over there. Slowly, the rest of my clan showed up to be surprised by Kameron running to them. At that point, I headed home to my trusty recliner.
Kevin and I went to the grocery store yesterday, leaving Kami with the girls. I made it through the store OK, although still running out of breath easily. I think that is all due to steroids, and I shouldn't have to take those any more, now that my chemo regimen had changed. After getting groceries all put away, we headed to Mom's for the afternoon.
My appetite was starting to come back, but fruit is all that sounded good, so I ate a ton of fruit. LOL Kevin, my brother Jim, and the others all spent HOURS shooting skeet and targets in the back, while I hung at the house with Kami, Mom, and the other non-shooters. It was nice to spend a whole afternoon over there, although I feel like such a slug when I barely move from the chair.
By last night, I ate part of a cardboard pizza (am I the only one who calls them that?) and it seems that my appetite is back. This morning's cereal tasted amazing. Today is crash day, but hopefully my last crash day. If it's true that I no longer need the steroids, then it should be my last. I'm hoping that Kami wakes up soon so we can play before I melt into a pile of goo in this chair for the rest of the day.
My brother and his family will head home this morning. I didn't get to see a ton of them, but it was nice to see them as much as I did. It's been a long time. I hate that cancer chemo robbed me of being able to take part in the festivities more, but I'm thankful that it exists. I hope they get home safely and come back sooner next time. I'll be ready to hang with the gang by then!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Saturday
It may be too soon to claim victory, but I believe this round is easier. I got eight hours of sleep on Thursday night (Kevin had to WAKE me for work!) and another 7 last night. I didn't have a headache all day yesterday. Not a single pain pill or Tylenol was necessary. I'm still not enjoying the steroids and I'm still out of breath, but I think the cut-dose is something my body can become accustomed to. Woo Hoo!
Today, we're going to the city market. I doubt I'll make it as long as the rest of the group, but they have benches in various places and tables and chairs in the shade, so I can take a break when I need to. We don't really need much in the way of produce, with Mom around, but it's fun to go, anyway. We'll hit it early before it gets hot, too. The planned group is myself, Kevin, Brooke and my girls. Who knows if the girls will get out of bed in time. :)
I'm going to hope that the trend for this cycle continues. I felt pretty darned good yesterday, even if I *did* fall asleep in the recliner at 8:30. LOL That's karma for all the times I've laughed at Kevin for nodding off. Yup. Karma.
Today, we're going to the city market. I doubt I'll make it as long as the rest of the group, but they have benches in various places and tables and chairs in the shade, so I can take a break when I need to. We don't really need much in the way of produce, with Mom around, but it's fun to go, anyway. We'll hit it early before it gets hot, too. The planned group is myself, Kevin, Brooke and my girls. Who knows if the girls will get out of bed in time. :)
I'm going to hope that the trend for this cycle continues. I felt pretty darned good yesterday, even if I *did* fall asleep in the recliner at 8:30. LOL That's karma for all the times I've laughed at Kevin for nodding off. Yup. Karma.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Work, Dinner, and the Fair
I'm going to get a full week in this week. That's good, since I don't know what next week will bring. I spent four hours last night finishing up some testing that I was doing at home. It's nice to be able to relax and get comfortable and still be able to work.
So I finished last night, and spent 45 minutes this morning composing an email with the results. Not five minutes later, I got an email that a different round of testing was ready to start. LOL Well, that was some interesting timing. It did free me up to come home midday and work from home some more. I was a little bit sore and a lot tired.
Mom made my night, though, by bringing dinner over. So amazing to just eat some wonderful stuff without the prep. Coworkers have been really pitching in, too. Now that I'm back at work, it's saved them the long drive out here, and they've been bringing stuff there and I'm bringing it home.
Our little town fair started tonight, so the girls are up there right now. They're spoiled rotten, so their grandpa paid for all-you-can-ride wrist bands. Kevin will pick Kami up tomorrow and we'll take her up there on Saturday. Maybe tomorrow night AND Saturday. Since it's only 2 blocks up the road, it's convenient for us.
We've decided to have a low-key weekend, just chilling out. In the past, we've had a party on fair weekend, but there was no way I could entertain people this year. I'm a bit emotionally unstable, and I don't know how I'll feel physically from day to day, either. I just didn't want to chance having company.
It's my last weekend of "normal" for quite some time. Chemo starts Tuesday. Blech.
So I finished last night, and spent 45 minutes this morning composing an email with the results. Not five minutes later, I got an email that a different round of testing was ready to start. LOL Well, that was some interesting timing. It did free me up to come home midday and work from home some more. I was a little bit sore and a lot tired.
Mom made my night, though, by bringing dinner over. So amazing to just eat some wonderful stuff without the prep. Coworkers have been really pitching in, too. Now that I'm back at work, it's saved them the long drive out here, and they've been bringing stuff there and I'm bringing it home.
Our little town fair started tonight, so the girls are up there right now. They're spoiled rotten, so their grandpa paid for all-you-can-ride wrist bands. Kevin will pick Kami up tomorrow and we'll take her up there on Saturday. Maybe tomorrow night AND Saturday. Since it's only 2 blocks up the road, it's convenient for us.
We've decided to have a low-key weekend, just chilling out. In the past, we've had a party on fair weekend, but there was no way I could entertain people this year. I'm a bit emotionally unstable, and I don't know how I'll feel physically from day to day, either. I just didn't want to chance having company.
It's my last weekend of "normal" for quite some time. Chemo starts Tuesday. Blech.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Losing a Drain
Yesterday was my appointment with the surgeon that did the mastectomy. I actually told him that I've been calling him the "demo doctor." He thought it was pretty funny. I don't have to see him again for 6 months. People poured into the room while I was there, too. He was joined by his nurse practitioner, another nurse, a lady who remembered me from my biopsy and wanted to come say "hi" etc etc. It was crowded in there, but I'm important like that.
My plastic surgeon's nurse had told me that, if I came upon someone who would/could remove drain one any time after Monday, I could ask. Otherwise, I could go have her do it. She's all the way over in Leawood, KS, so I asked yesterday. They pulled it! It was the one not causing any issues, but it's still kinda nice to only have to deal with one.
I slept in my bed last night, and it was very comfortable, but I paid for it this morning. I guess I am destined to sleep in the recliner for a while longer. Oh well. I'm having a teary kind of day, so I ran to Lexington with Mom and Dad to see how much money I could blow at Dollar General. $47, if you wondered. Kevin's Monster drinks are cheaper there, so a lot of that was for those.
It was an early-out for the girls, so Natalie is here to keep me company now, and Monica will be home from softball practice when it's time for Natalie to go to track practice, so I should have someone with me the rest of the afternoon. Uncle Phil and Aunt Faye are stopping by this afternoon, too, so I will have company all afternoon for sure!
My plastic surgeon's nurse had told me that, if I came upon someone who would/could remove drain one any time after Monday, I could ask. Otherwise, I could go have her do it. She's all the way over in Leawood, KS, so I asked yesterday. They pulled it! It was the one not causing any issues, but it's still kinda nice to only have to deal with one.
I slept in my bed last night, and it was very comfortable, but I paid for it this morning. I guess I am destined to sleep in the recliner for a while longer. Oh well. I'm having a teary kind of day, so I ran to Lexington with Mom and Dad to see how much money I could blow at Dollar General. $47, if you wondered. Kevin's Monster drinks are cheaper there, so a lot of that was for those.
It was an early-out for the girls, so Natalie is here to keep me company now, and Monica will be home from softball practice when it's time for Natalie to go to track practice, so I should have someone with me the rest of the afternoon. Uncle Phil and Aunt Faye are stopping by this afternoon, too, so I will have company all afternoon for sure!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Today's the Day
I'm showered and ready to go two hours before we need to leave, but I didn't sleep very well anyway, so I figured it best to quit fighting it and just get up.
The girls are going to school, since it'll be after 4 before I'm out of recovery, anyway. After school, they'll go to Mom and Dad's and the four of them will head up to see me. The girls are freaked out, but we all are. Maybe school will be a distraction for them, if nothing else.
We are to be there to check in at 8:30. I don't want Kevin to have to make a ton of updates, so the plan is for him to tell my Mom, my workmate Michelle, anyone in his family that he feels like calling, and update Facebook. The Facebook think will cover it pretty well. Most everyone is on there. If he writes it on my wall, anyone who hasn't blocked him should be able to see it.
I sure wish I could put on deodorant.
The girls are going to school, since it'll be after 4 before I'm out of recovery, anyway. After school, they'll go to Mom and Dad's and the four of them will head up to see me. The girls are freaked out, but we all are. Maybe school will be a distraction for them, if nothing else.
We are to be there to check in at 8:30. I don't want Kevin to have to make a ton of updates, so the plan is for him to tell my Mom, my workmate Michelle, anyone in his family that he feels like calling, and update Facebook. The Facebook think will cover it pretty well. Most everyone is on there. If he writes it on my wall, anyone who hasn't blocked him should be able to see it.
I sure wish I could put on deodorant.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Another Day, Another Test
Today is the day that I go in for my echo cardiogram. It won't take nearly as long as the PET scan, I think. They're also supposed to draw some pre-op blood while I'm there, so I don't have to drive to the other hospital. I just don't fully understand where they are going to do that, so I'll be asking questions a lot. Nothing new there.
Mom is going with me today. That is going to help a lot. I think yesterday would have been easier with the distraction of someone to talk to. It's also happy hour at Sonic ALL DAY! I see a lot of diet cherry Coke in my future.
Tomorrow is the big day. I wonder if I could get the anesthesia people to just go ahead and knock me out tonight? It would save the trouble of me wringing my hands in the morning.
Mom is going with me today. That is going to help a lot. I think yesterday would have been easier with the distraction of someone to talk to. It's also happy hour at Sonic ALL DAY! I see a lot of diet cherry Coke in my future.
Tomorrow is the big day. I wonder if I could get the anesthesia people to just go ahead and knock me out tonight? It would save the trouble of me wringing my hands in the morning.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Getting Organized and Easter Eggs
I went to bed at 7 last night. I know, I know. But I was TIRED! Of course, this means I woke up at 12:30, so today is going to be screwed up. Oh well. Maybe I'll nap later. I took advantage of the quiet hours to myself, though, to tidy up some cancer files.
I've really been taking advantage of Google's calendar functionality, as well as the spreadsheet feature. I'm keeping track of appointments (with reminders that go straight to my phone,) mileage, co-pays, etc. It's going to be an expensive year, and I plan to recoup some at tax time if possible. I have to be careful, though, because some is paid with my flex account through work, which is pre-tax money, so that is not deductible. It just takes a lot of organization.
My mom mentioned that she missed coloring Easter eggs, so I made a couple of calls and we dropped by her house yesterday afternoon. I even sent a message to several of our mutual Facebook friends to ask them to bomb her page with pictures of Easter eggs. LOL Today, I'll go get the eggs from her house and make deviled eggs for our dinner.
I've really been taking advantage of Google's calendar functionality, as well as the spreadsheet feature. I'm keeping track of appointments (with reminders that go straight to my phone,) mileage, co-pays, etc. It's going to be an expensive year, and I plan to recoup some at tax time if possible. I have to be careful, though, because some is paid with my flex account through work, which is pre-tax money, so that is not deductible. It just takes a lot of organization.
My mom mentioned that she missed coloring Easter eggs, so I made a couple of calls and we dropped by her house yesterday afternoon. I even sent a message to several of our mutual Facebook friends to ask them to bomb her page with pictures of Easter eggs. LOL Today, I'll go get the eggs from her house and make deviled eggs for our dinner.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Time for a Freak Out?
Nah. Not really. I'm having my moments, but I'm getting by just fine. I did decide that next Friday is my last day at work, pre-op. I am taking the Monday and Tuesday before surgery to take care of some things, and make sure that I avoid the she-has-surgery-tomorrow-pity-face.
It's one foot in front of the other for a week and a half. I wish I could fast forward. No...I wish I could rewind. No...I wish I could pause. No...I wish I could....never mind.
A bestie sent this to me today, and it made me smile, because it's true. Part of the time.
It's one foot in front of the other for a week and a half. I wish I could fast forward. No...I wish I could rewind. No...I wish I could pause. No...I wish I could....never mind.
A bestie sent this to me today, and it made me smile, because it's true. Part of the time.
Sorry for the F Bomb, Mom. Maybe you shouldn't link to this one. I am supposed to read an 8 page document about possible side-effects/difficulties. I couldn't make it through. I made Kevin finish my homework. He has to do what I say. I have cancer.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Attention: Kevin Conway!
There is this guy. His name is Kevin. He worked at H&H for 147 years. He stops by from time to time to see this person or that person. Now that I'm at the front counter, I see him when he comes in. He's an awesome Teddy Bear of a guy, and I like it when he stops by.
He came by today, and we made some small talk while he waited for the person that he came to see. He said that he loves my mom's blog, and he reads it all the time. Then, he mentioned that he also reads my blog, but my mom's is better.
Yes, Kevin. That's for you.
It's weird how he found Mom's blog. He saw her comment on Pioneer Woman's blog, way back when, and checked her out. While on mom's blog, he saw a picture of me and made the connection! Weird.
At 4 today, I took my computer and a bunch of other stuff out to my car which was parked on the street, so I wouldn't have to carry everything out at 5. I heard a car running (Kim, from work) and knew she was soon to leave. I put everything in my car and locked it up, as I heard her car pull away and pass behind me.
Knowing I was safe, I shut the door, turned around and started across the street...right in front of Kevin's car. He could have run over me, but instead, he rolled his window down and told me that with 4 days off, he'd better see 4 blog posts.
OK, Kevin. Here's the first one!
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