June 30: Today I met with Dr. Garg about my experiences with the side effects from treatment 3 and to discuss the last 4 treatments.
No doubt, I was knocked down hard after treatment 3, not only from the chemo but the port surgery. My port is in and the site is still very red and I have a rash which has not resolved from last week. I just fininshed a 1 week round of antibiotics and was prescribed another 2 weeks of antiobiotics. It is not clear to Dr. Garg if this is a side effect from the chemo or an irritation from something foreign going into the body, the port. The good news is that they will be able to use the port tomorrow. The phlebitis is still present in my arm.
Tomorrow is my last cycle of the Red Devil and Cytoxin. The next 4 cycles will be Taxol and will be given every 2 weeks. If I figured this out correctly, August 26 will be my last treatment. That's what I'm talking about! I will have my port removed the first week of September followed by Radiation. I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, no pun intended.
Happy 4th everyone and be safe!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Trying To Stay Strong
It has been a rough few weeks...
Very low blood pressure, heart racing, and burning up inside all comes down to not feeling well at all. My next chemo treatment is Friday, July 1. This is the last of the first chemo cycle. My second chemo cycle will be defined June 30.
Just want to get it all behind me!
Very low blood pressure, heart racing, and burning up inside all comes down to not feeling well at all. My next chemo treatment is Friday, July 1. This is the last of the first chemo cycle. My second chemo cycle will be defined June 30.
Just want to get it all behind me!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Run Down
June 6: This week started ok, but it quickly declined. The outside high temperatures and the side effects from the steroids, makes me feel as though I am burning up inside. All the energy I had has been pulled out of me. My Oncologolist advised that I should remain indoors and stay hydrated. This became a challenge yesterday, when our AC shut off and the house quickly turned to a sauna. I called for service and an angel was looking out for me. The repairman stopped by and fixed the problem. Thank God! By the time he left the downstairs was 83 and the upstairs was at least 10 degrees warmer.
After my followup with the Ongologist, we discussed the port. My veins are taking a beating and I've developed phelbitis in my arm. My arm has also become irritated by the Red Devil medicine and I need to watch for further changes in my skin and report it immediately. I was refereed to a Vascular Surgeon and met with him Friday morning.
My surgery for the port is June 16 in the morning and my Infusion will be June 17.
It has been very frustrating for me to do the "simple things" this week. I only hope that I gain some energy before I have my next treatment. It's not a good feeling... I am used to doing so much more and I don't like that I am knocked down.
After my followup with the Ongologist, we discussed the port. My veins are taking a beating and I've developed phelbitis in my arm. My arm has also become irritated by the Red Devil medicine and I need to watch for further changes in my skin and report it immediately. I was refereed to a Vascular Surgeon and met with him Friday morning.
My surgery for the port is June 16 in the morning and my Infusion will be June 17.
It has been very frustrating for me to do the "simple things" this week. I only hope that I gain some energy before I have my next treatment. It's not a good feeling... I am used to doing so much more and I don't like that I am knocked down.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Treatment 2
June 3: It was a long day and thankful it is now behind me. I started at the lab where they drew 7 tubes of blood. After leaving, I was not feeling too well. I ate a small breakfast and was working hard on my hydration to boost the veins for the infusion, but it was not enough. After the physical, Pat and I had a some time to slip out for a salad before my chemo. My physical and blood results all came back favorable. All steps in the right direction. It was a little easier going in for this infusion after having one behind me...but still, not right.
The Infusion Nurse had problems with her first attempt with the IV, and my vein collapsed. It took her several minutes for her to locate another good vein. Once the IV was in, it was ok. However, as the medications were going in, I experienced stinging in my arm for the duration of the infusion. With 6 more treatments to go, it is time to have the discussion with Dr. Garg about a port. I don't think I can do this 6 more times knowing these drugs are very hard on the veins and they can only use my right arm. My follow up with him is June 9.
My infusion took longer than my first one, 3 3/4 hours, as expected. My side effects are the same as the first, but not as bad. I think this is the result of slowing it down. Right now, the hardest side effect is fighting the fatigue.
June 5: I returned to the hospital in the morning for my Neulasta shot. I am already experiencing bone pain in my chest, a normal side effect. Tolerable.
This week: Physical Therapy appointments, Blood Work, and Dr. Garg. If possible, I would like to schedule the appointment with the Doctor who will perform the Port Surgery and get this scheduled before my next Chemo Treatment, June 17.
I continue to appreciate all the emails, texts, cards, and calls. Thank you all!
XOXO
The Infusion Nurse had problems with her first attempt with the IV, and my vein collapsed. It took her several minutes for her to locate another good vein. Once the IV was in, it was ok. However, as the medications were going in, I experienced stinging in my arm for the duration of the infusion. With 6 more treatments to go, it is time to have the discussion with Dr. Garg about a port. I don't think I can do this 6 more times knowing these drugs are very hard on the veins and they can only use my right arm. My follow up with him is June 9.
My infusion took longer than my first one, 3 3/4 hours, as expected. My side effects are the same as the first, but not as bad. I think this is the result of slowing it down. Right now, the hardest side effect is fighting the fatigue.
June 5: I returned to the hospital in the morning for my Neulasta shot. I am already experiencing bone pain in my chest, a normal side effect. Tolerable.
This week: Physical Therapy appointments, Blood Work, and Dr. Garg. If possible, I would like to schedule the appointment with the Doctor who will perform the Port Surgery and get this scheduled before my next Chemo Treatment, June 17.
I continue to appreciate all the emails, texts, cards, and calls. Thank you all!
XOXO
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Getting Ready For Treatment 2
May 31: I was scheduled to have my bone scan last week, but that did not happen. When I arrived at AA Diagnostics, they were ready to inject the radioactive dye when they determined there was no time slot available for the bone study. Needless go say, this was rescheduled for today. The results came back favorable which will allow me to participate in the Study Drug.
June 1: I had another physical therapy which was quite uncomfortable. There is still deep cording which needs to be broken and stretched. I have definitely made progress and my range of motion is much better. Hopefully, once all the cords are released my visits to physical therapy will decrease.
I received a call from the Study Drug Nurse and before the drug is administered, I need to have a mammogram, physical, and more bloodwork before Friday. I am baffled why they want to proceed with the mammogram. My last surgery was only 5 weeks ago. Besides, the mammogram did not pick up my cancer, it was the ultrasound. I was told ultrasounds and MRIs are too expensive. OMG...I am getting very irritated by the ignorance!
June 2: I had blood drawn which is necessary before Chemo - they need the baseline before treatment 2. Then, the mammogram. The technician had me positioned, compressed the machine on me and said, "oh wait a minute, I forgot to reset the computer from the last image.". My response..."hurry up". Ouch!
June 3: It will be a busy day at the hospital. I have to have the study drug bloodwork drawn in the morning, followed by my physical, then the study drug injection. My last stop will be at the Infusion Center for Chemo Treatment 2. It will be a long day 10am - 5pm. I have to follow up for the Neulasta shot on June 5.
It was a very busy and overwhelming week...not as I planned.
By the way, I decided to take control of what I can control. I shaved my head, one less stress. Bald is beautiful, so I have been told.
Have a great weekend everyone!! :0)
June 1: I had another physical therapy which was quite uncomfortable. There is still deep cording which needs to be broken and stretched. I have definitely made progress and my range of motion is much better. Hopefully, once all the cords are released my visits to physical therapy will decrease.
I received a call from the Study Drug Nurse and before the drug is administered, I need to have a mammogram, physical, and more bloodwork before Friday. I am baffled why they want to proceed with the mammogram. My last surgery was only 5 weeks ago. Besides, the mammogram did not pick up my cancer, it was the ultrasound. I was told ultrasounds and MRIs are too expensive. OMG...I am getting very irritated by the ignorance!
June 2: I had blood drawn which is necessary before Chemo - they need the baseline before treatment 2. Then, the mammogram. The technician had me positioned, compressed the machine on me and said, "oh wait a minute, I forgot to reset the computer from the last image.". My response..."hurry up". Ouch!
June 3: It will be a busy day at the hospital. I have to have the study drug bloodwork drawn in the morning, followed by my physical, then the study drug injection. My last stop will be at the Infusion Center for Chemo Treatment 2. It will be a long day 10am - 5pm. I have to follow up for the Neulasta shot on June 5.
It was a very busy and overwhelming week...not as I planned.
By the way, I decided to take control of what I can control. I shaved my head, one less stress. Bald is beautiful, so I have been told.
Have a great weekend everyone!! :0)
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