I made the mistake of taking my last steroid too late, which pushed my crash to a work day which overlapped with my bone pain day. I even whined about it here. However, this third cycle has been the easiest one yet.
I have had a headache only two out of the 11 days that have passed on cycle three. This is on the heels of 4 weeks of daily headaches, so it's a BIG deal. I have been getting eight hours of sleep without the aid of medication. I was able to work nine hours, two days straight, to make up for the crash day shortage.
Yup. I may have complained about Monday, but I'm very pleased with chemo cycle three. I have one more dose of A/C, which happens on Wednesday. I hope to sail through it as easily as this one. After that, I start another chemo drug. I've heard that Taxol is easier than the A/C combo for most people. Isn't THAT good news???
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Feeling Better and a New Granddaughter
Yesterday and today have been better, and I even worked enough hours to make up what I shorted myself on Monday. Not bad for only Wednesday. I'm doing fine at work, and wiped out when I get home, so not much gets done by me.
More important news is that Jon and Kristin had baby Zoey Ann yesterday! This is Jon's first, and he is so proud. Of course, so are we. How did I wind up with so many grandbabies at 43? Wanna see the proud papa?
Wanna see what he's so proud of?
Yup. I think she'll do. I think she'll do JUST fine.
More important news is that Jon and Kristin had baby Zoey Ann yesterday! This is Jon's first, and he is so proud. Of course, so are we. How did I wind up with so many grandbabies at 43? Wanna see the proud papa?
Wanna see what he's so proud of?
Yup. I think she'll do. I think she'll do JUST fine.
Monday, July 16, 2012
Grumble Grumble Whine
I was happy to have most of yesterday crash-free. It was Brooke's last day here, and we enjoyed it, even if we did relax most of the day. By 7:30 or so, though, I felt it coming. By 8, I was nodding off in the chair and Kevin nudged me to go to bed. The crash should have hit late Sunday morning, but I think my Saturday nap pushed my last steroid dose late enough to delay it.
I would have thought that a good thing, since it allowed me most of Sunday to enjoy my company. The bad part was that it caused the crash to continue into a work day, as well as to allow it to overlap my severe bone pain day. Yup. Today sucked.
I made it six hours before heading home. I had a pain pill and a nap for lunch, and haven't done much since. I am thankful that the bone pain is typically limited to 24-36 hours, so before tomorrow is over, I should be feeling better. I also believe that the crash symptoms should be mostly gone by morning. If the steroid-induced emotional crap goes away with it, it will be a good Tuesday indeed.
I would have thought that a good thing, since it allowed me most of Sunday to enjoy my company. The bad part was that it caused the crash to continue into a work day, as well as to allow it to overlap my severe bone pain day. Yup. Today sucked.
I made it six hours before heading home. I had a pain pill and a nap for lunch, and haven't done much since. I am thankful that the bone pain is typically limited to 24-36 hours, so before tomorrow is over, I should be feeling better. I also believe that the crash symptoms should be mostly gone by morning. If the steroid-induced emotional crap goes away with it, it will be a good Tuesday indeed.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Being More Careful
Yesterday was fun. The girls even got up without struggles, and we left early for City Market. I didn't have to ditch my group for a bench, even though these stupid steroids take my breath a lot. I just moved slowly along and we had a good time.
When we got home, I realized that I'd need a nap or I'd never make it through the afternoon, so I went to bed at 1:30 with my alarm set for 3. It went off, I felt dizzy, so I turned it off. Backup alarm went off at 4:00, but still, I couldn't get out of bed. I looked over by the bed, saw my full water glass, and started counting ounces. I didn't get to count very high.
I'd had a lot of coffee while everyone got ready, and then I'd had a Diet Coke. I filled my glass before we hit the road, and that's all the water I had all day. We walked around in the sun and heat for a couple of hours, and I wasn't drinking anything. I was good and dehydrated.
It took a couple of hours and a LOT of water and Gatorade to straighten me out. My head finally stopped spinning and I was told I looked better after 2-3 hours. After getting that straightened out, I was hungry and actually ate dinner. That's saying something for day four. If I'd stayed hydrated, I'd probably had an amazing day! LOL
Today should be crash day, but as easy as the rest of this cycle has been, I plan to not let it happen. I'm already pumping down water, and anything we do will be inside the a/c today. Brooke will head back home tomorrow, and I don't want to waste any of our time crashed out in my chair. I'm already sad about her leaving. I want to make the most of today.
I just have to be more careful. I let the fact that I was doing so well lead to a false sense of security. I now know to enjoy the fact that this third cycle is being so good to me, and keep up with the things I know my body needs. Like water. Time for a refill!
When we got home, I realized that I'd need a nap or I'd never make it through the afternoon, so I went to bed at 1:30 with my alarm set for 3. It went off, I felt dizzy, so I turned it off. Backup alarm went off at 4:00, but still, I couldn't get out of bed. I looked over by the bed, saw my full water glass, and started counting ounces. I didn't get to count very high.
I'd had a lot of coffee while everyone got ready, and then I'd had a Diet Coke. I filled my glass before we hit the road, and that's all the water I had all day. We walked around in the sun and heat for a couple of hours, and I wasn't drinking anything. I was good and dehydrated.
It took a couple of hours and a LOT of water and Gatorade to straighten me out. My head finally stopped spinning and I was told I looked better after 2-3 hours. After getting that straightened out, I was hungry and actually ate dinner. That's saying something for day four. If I'd stayed hydrated, I'd probably had an amazing day! LOL
Today should be crash day, but as easy as the rest of this cycle has been, I plan to not let it happen. I'm already pumping down water, and anything we do will be inside the a/c today. Brooke will head back home tomorrow, and I don't want to waste any of our time crashed out in my chair. I'm already sad about her leaving. I want to make the most of today.
I just have to be more careful. I let the fact that I was doing so well lead to a false sense of security. I now know to enjoy the fact that this third cycle is being so good to me, and keep up with the things I know my body needs. Like water. Time for a refill!
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, July 12, 2012
A/C Cycle Three Begins - and Brooke!
My buddy Brooke flew in from Texas to surprise me on Monday night. What a surprise it was, too! I love it when she's here. I don't feel like I have to entertain her, so I can go to bed when I need to and sit comatose in the recliner if I need to. She jumps up and helps in the kitchen, whether it's preparing food, cleaning up, or anything else that needs done. She's family, only not as lazy as the rest of us. :)
She accompanied me to my infusion appointment yesterday. We had my favorite nurse and she laughed with (at) us several times. Having Brooke there made the time fly by. After it was over, we made a quick stop at HyVee, and Brooke spotted an Einstein Bagels, nearly giving me whiplash as she pulled in to the parking lot. She loves them, and can't get them near her home.
After that, we came home, and it's good that we did. I had hit my wall. Thank goodness, my appetite wasn't completely gone yet, and I enjoyed a piece of pizza. I had some rewards points built up with Papa Johns, and they have $10 large pizzas on Monday-Wednesday, so I got a great deal. I'm such a tight-wad.
I was so exhausted that I went to bed at 7:30 and was asleep within 15 minutes. When I woke up, there was light outside my window. I looked at my phone and it was 8:40. How depressing! I forced myself to stay in bed and dozed off and on until midnight, when I gave up. I probably got a total of 2 1/2 hours. Stupid steroids.
Oh well. Every two weeks, as soon as I start to feel good, I go again. Thank goodness I only have one more dose of A/C, and then I switch to Taxol, which is supposed to be easier and pack fewer side effects. I SO hope that proves true. I still say I'm blessed with light side effects, but if I could eliminate the headache and insomnia, I'd be a happy camper!
I better sign off. I only have 4 hours before I have to get ready for work! LOL
She accompanied me to my infusion appointment yesterday. We had my favorite nurse and she laughed with (at) us several times. Having Brooke there made the time fly by. After it was over, we made a quick stop at HyVee, and Brooke spotted an Einstein Bagels, nearly giving me whiplash as she pulled in to the parking lot. She loves them, and can't get them near her home.
After that, we came home, and it's good that we did. I had hit my wall. Thank goodness, my appetite wasn't completely gone yet, and I enjoyed a piece of pizza. I had some rewards points built up with Papa Johns, and they have $10 large pizzas on Monday-Wednesday, so I got a great deal. I'm such a tight-wad.
I was so exhausted that I went to bed at 7:30 and was asleep within 15 minutes. When I woke up, there was light outside my window. I looked at my phone and it was 8:40. How depressing! I forced myself to stay in bed and dozed off and on until midnight, when I gave up. I probably got a total of 2 1/2 hours. Stupid steroids.
Oh well. Every two weeks, as soon as I start to feel good, I go again. Thank goodness I only have one more dose of A/C, and then I switch to Taxol, which is supposed to be easier and pack fewer side effects. I SO hope that proves true. I still say I'm blessed with light side effects, but if I could eliminate the headache and insomnia, I'd be a happy camper!
I better sign off. I only have 4 hours before I have to get ready for work! LOL
Monday, July 9, 2012
Chugging Along
I don't have much to report, which is probably a good thing. No nosebleeds, no unplanned trips to the doctor, no sickness or other nonsense. Just chugging along.
Yesterday, we went to mom's for a catfish fry. It was fabulous. I had decided that I was going to spend a day without a headache, so I popped pain pills like they were Chiclets. That's not really true, but I took one early morning, noon, and evening. I spent the whole day (after taking the first one) headache-free. That was nice.
The other thing that the pain pills caused was a two hour nap. I figured that would keep me from sleeping last night, but it didn't. I slept 7 hours with no problem. BONUS!
Today, the girls are at Vans Warped Tour with their brother Jonathan. They are having SO much fun, and I'm thrilled that it's a full ten degrees cooler than last week. I have a feeling they'll get home too late for me to see them, so I'll have to hear the stories tomorrow evening.
See? Nothing much to report, but I'm OK with that. Yup. It suits me JUST fine.
Yesterday, we went to mom's for a catfish fry. It was fabulous. I had decided that I was going to spend a day without a headache, so I popped pain pills like they were Chiclets. That's not really true, but I took one early morning, noon, and evening. I spent the whole day (after taking the first one) headache-free. That was nice.
The other thing that the pain pills caused was a two hour nap. I figured that would keep me from sleeping last night, but it didn't. I slept 7 hours with no problem. BONUS!
Today, the girls are at Vans Warped Tour with their brother Jonathan. They are having SO much fun, and I'm thrilled that it's a full ten degrees cooler than last week. I have a feeling they'll get home too late for me to see them, so I'll have to hear the stories tomorrow evening.
See? Nothing much to report, but I'm OK with that. Yup. It suits me JUST fine.
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