On Monday, I had my radiology consult. By midday on Tuesday, the bone pain was nearly gone, causing me to take nothing more than Advil. By Wednesday, I was back to feeling myself...or at least 90% myself, which is the most I could hope for these days. It felt pretty darn good, too. I'm back to being myself, and annoying my coworkers. :)
Yesterday, I got a phone call from radiology, saying that they had my schedule ready, and I would have 33 treatments, starting Monday. I wrote down everything she said, and was thinking about how to get my full hours in at work while attending an 8:00 appointment every morning. After hanging up, it hit me: NEXT Monday??? That's not even 2 weeks after my last chemo, and the oncologist said I'd have a month between for my body to rest and get back to normal. Also, my whites are at their lowest today through Monday. *sigh*
I emailed the oncologist's nurse and got back to work while waiting for an answer, although to say I was distracted would be an understatement. I didn't get an answer by the time I left a bit after 2:00. The nurse always said that if I don't get an answer, I should call, so as soon as I got in the car, I called in. (I was on a bluetooth headset, so don't lecture me.)
The receptionist said that my usual nurse wasn't in (thus, the non-answer) but she would transfer me to the other nurse. I got her voice mail. *sigh* I left a detailed message about what I wanted. This was around 2:15 and her message said she was in until 3:30. I never got a call back. Even if she wouldn't have an answer until today, I wish she would have called to tell me that.
I woke up at 2:00 and immediately started thinking about it. If the oncologist thinks it's too soon to start, I'll have to call radiology and change the plan. If the oncologist leaves it up to me, I don't know what to do. Having another couple of weeks off would be nice, but if I start Monday, I'll be done by mid-November. That would be nice, too. I just hope it's not up to me. I want her (the oncologist) to tell me what to do, and I'm sure she will. These swirling thoughts kept me from going back to sleep, of course. Sheesh.
If I haven't heard from them by the time I leave today, I'm driving ot her office and talking to someone in person, whether they like it or not. This is my last business day before I am to start radiation treatments, and if I DON'T start Monday, they deserve a bit of notice that I'm not going to show up. I sure am fed up with cancer and all that it entails.
Tonight, though, Kevin and I are meeting some friends in Brookside for some dinner and an after-work drink. I can't believe I'm going to do something like normal people do. I'm really looking forward to it, too. By the end of the day, I'll have an answer to my radiation confusion, and I'll be hanging out with friends that I haven't seen in too long.
Showing posts with label dinner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dinner. Show all posts
Friday, September 28, 2012
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, June 17, 2012
The End of the Weekend
This is the time of year in which card companies get a lot of money from my family. My parent's anniversary is June 14. My dad's birthday is June 16. My own anniversary (Happy 17th, Kevin!) is June 17th, and Father's Day is always right in there somewhere. Wow. I think Dad wins out over everyone, netting three of those special days. LOL
I didn't post yesterday. I'd been warned about the "crash" and that it would probably be Saturday. Yup. The next time I'm hard up for something to post about, I'll share. Plus, I get to experience it 7 more times. Yippee! I still claim to be "lucky" when it comes to side effects. I'm just not ready to relive yesterday yet.
Today, I received a visit from three lovely friends who came with arms full of food. I have been SO blessed by people feeding my family. When I feel like crap, I can just grab something to quickly toss in the oven without having to feel like my kids are being slighted by my lack of enthusiasm in the food department.
After that, my dad had to visit ME on father's day. LOL I was worn out (way better than yesterday, but still sluggish) and it was mid 90s outside. As I was sending Mom a message to please let Dad know I'd stop by tomorrow, they called to ask if they could drop by! I was thrilled. I hadn't seen them since they got home from vacation four days ago.
Now, I'm melted into the recliner (big shock, I know) and thinking it's going to be an early night for me. The project that I'd wanted to work on at home didn't work out, and I'd like to get in as early as possible tomorrow and clear that up. If I'm awake super-early, I'll go on in. I'll knock that project out in a couple of hours, and then work on regular work.
My goal this week is 40 hours. If I can maintain 40 on the non-chemo weeks, I'll be pleased. I'm certain I can do it, barring any new or worsening side effects. And we're not going to have any of THOSE, now ARE we??? Nope.
I didn't post yesterday. I'd been warned about the "crash" and that it would probably be Saturday. Yup. The next time I'm hard up for something to post about, I'll share. Plus, I get to experience it 7 more times. Yippee! I still claim to be "lucky" when it comes to side effects. I'm just not ready to relive yesterday yet.
Today, I received a visit from three lovely friends who came with arms full of food. I have been SO blessed by people feeding my family. When I feel like crap, I can just grab something to quickly toss in the oven without having to feel like my kids are being slighted by my lack of enthusiasm in the food department.
After that, my dad had to visit ME on father's day. LOL I was worn out (way better than yesterday, but still sluggish) and it was mid 90s outside. As I was sending Mom a message to please let Dad know I'd stop by tomorrow, they called to ask if they could drop by! I was thrilled. I hadn't seen them since they got home from vacation four days ago.
Now, I'm melted into the recliner (big shock, I know) and thinking it's going to be an early night for me. The project that I'd wanted to work on at home didn't work out, and I'd like to get in as early as possible tomorrow and clear that up. If I'm awake super-early, I'll go on in. I'll knock that project out in a couple of hours, and then work on regular work.
My goal this week is 40 hours. If I can maintain 40 on the non-chemo weeks, I'll be pleased. I'm certain I can do it, barring any new or worsening side effects. And we're not going to have any of THOSE, now ARE we??? Nope.
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.
Monday, May 7, 2012
I Suppose I Should Just Sit Here
I think I overdid things on Saturday, so I spent Sunday recuperating. I was exhausted, sore, and even had a pretty big chip on my shoulder by the end of the day (I know! Shocking!) I was slowly but steadily recovering, and the setback just ticked me right off.
I got up this morning after sleeping a bit longer than usual, and still wasn't great. What the heck? Fine, I'll take another easy day. Mom even offered to take me with them to McD's for breakfast (not that I eat breakfast, especially theirs, but she knows I look for chances to get out of the house.) I turned her down.
I tried to take my daily nap, but after 4 interruptions, I gave up on that pipe dream. Maybe tomorrow I'll pull my head out and silence my phone and put a DND sign on the door, huh? I got up and fixed one of the meals provided by my wonderful coworkers (which was easy and amazingly delicious) and then asked Kevin to take me to the store. I was relatively sure I felt well enough to go.
Wrong. I did well 3/4 of the way through the trip, and then started fading fast. I almost felt feverish. I'm on antibiotic, so I'm sure I'm not, but I was just "off." Got settled in for the night and decided that I shall not move for at least 2 days. I'll read, I'll surf, I'll sleep, and I'll twiddle my thumbs, but I'm going to quit jeopardizing my recovery, which is what I was inadvertently doing.
Oh, and I had also planned to be back to work by now, at least part time. Yeah right.Satan drain Jaxson is still putting out over 100cc per day. It's still gotta get under 30. I can't drive, I can't work, I can even make it to the damn store with a chauffeur without issues.
If you need me, check this recliner. I'll be here. Likely pouting.
I got up this morning after sleeping a bit longer than usual, and still wasn't great. What the heck? Fine, I'll take another easy day. Mom even offered to take me with them to McD's for breakfast (not that I eat breakfast, especially theirs, but she knows I look for chances to get out of the house.) I turned her down.
I tried to take my daily nap, but after 4 interruptions, I gave up on that pipe dream. Maybe tomorrow I'll pull my head out and silence my phone and put a DND sign on the door, huh? I got up and fixed one of the meals provided by my wonderful coworkers (which was easy and amazingly delicious) and then asked Kevin to take me to the store. I was relatively sure I felt well enough to go.
Wrong. I did well 3/4 of the way through the trip, and then started fading fast. I almost felt feverish. I'm on antibiotic, so I'm sure I'm not, but I was just "off." Got settled in for the night and decided that I shall not move for at least 2 days. I'll read, I'll surf, I'll sleep, and I'll twiddle my thumbs, but I'm going to quit jeopardizing my recovery, which is what I was inadvertently doing.
Oh, and I had also planned to be back to work by now, at least part time. Yeah right.
If you need me, check this recliner. I'll be here. Likely pouting.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Taco Bell
It's been insane at work, for both myself AND Kevin. I managed to get off a bit early since he was working late, so I hit the Taco Bell drive thru for dinner. Sheesh. It was over 10 minutes between ordering and getting my food, but I got it, and headed home.
It was only a sack full of tacos and burritos, but it was SO good. What is it about Taco Bell? Everything there is the same, with different outer shells. It all tastes the same. However, it was WONDERFUL!
What am I, 12?
It was only a sack full of tacos and burritos, but it was SO good. What is it about Taco Bell? Everything there is the same, with different outer shells. It all tastes the same. However, it was WONDERFUL!
What am I, 12?
Sunday, February 5, 2012
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