Thanksgiving 2008

Yesterday I cleaned both bathrooms, vacuumed all the floors, washed the pet bedding and other laundry….sweated a lot and am probably functioning at about 50% of my normal but I did it and today Karen came over for Thanksgiving dinner and two movies before leaving around 10pm.  At least felt good enough to enjoy the holiday meal and visit.

Day 9C

Actually had some stamina today….did the cage, the fish, pet bowls, and some other more minor chores. Stomach a bit better today. Only major problem today is both (esp left) nostrils are dry and somewhat bloody inside.

Day 8C ****

This time weakness, lightheadedness, and stomach/intestinal problems prevail even up to and including today. I may yet end up with a vaginal yeast infection but I am doing my darnest to prevent thrush…another potential problem this time.

I have the stars behind the number to indicate a warning for myself for chemo 4.

Day 5C ****

Had just a bit more energy today and, according to blood test at the Vince today, I am not anemic. I also am not that low yet on the WBC but they gave me a shot of neuprogen anyway. Not sure what caused it but, about 2 hours after the shot felt genuine nausea and was forced to take one of those prochlorperazine pills.  And had to take another Immodium. Its now 10pm and feel okay but only eating jello and drinking water. I HAVE TO ASK IN ADVANCE OF THE LAST CHEMO WHAT I CAN TAKE OR DO TO MINIMIZE THESE SIDE EFFECTS AND HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO GET MY STRENGTH BACK UP AS I IMAGINE AFTER CHEMO 4 I WILL REALLY FEEL LIKE SHIT.

Day 4C ****

I had to take an Immodium and the gut felt sore for most of the night. Also still feel lightheaded, tired, and weak.  Might be anemic.

Also the glucose readings are still high and the insides of my nostrils feel very very dry.

Karen was here tonight from 4pm till 10:30pm. We plan to be together again on Thanksgiving. Sure hope I feel better as I only ate a little bit at supper tonight.

Day 3C ****

Cleaned up the major bathroom, mopped the floors, and put the winter bedding on the bed today. And each task felt like it took all my strength and soul. Karen is probably coming tomorrow.

Woke up with a completely dry nose (both nostrils) & since getting up today at 3pm the sennia s has been working like a charm.  Skye took care of Roddy for me today (bless her heart) and I did the fish and the pet dishes.

Thisevening after supper I have stomach discomfort, lower back and knee pain again but not sure why (taxotere or still the neupragen). Also headache again and its still early evening (not even 8pm).  Hope I feel better tomorrow for when Karen comes.

Day 2C ****

Today I’ve had: high blood sugar (236) and lightheadness, the taste of garlic in my mouth after a supper of homemade stew (no garlic used), constipation (will take sennica s tonight), and pain in my lower back and hips.  Now also have a headache (left temple) and very dry mouth. Oh yeah, and flushing again too.

Last night had such trouble breathing that it took me a long time to get to sleep in spite of taking Xanax, the sleeping pill, and a benedryl.  I hope that never happens again. 

Third Chemo Today

Had pain in long bone of right leg during the taxotere infusion and tonight my nose is snotty and runny. Could I have a low white blood count already????  Zaps of bone pain here and there but nothing major thisevening.

Due to the fact that all the fixes for low white count work so very well on me I am to call on Monday afternoon instead of automatically going in.

In the meantime the Hospital ER called while we were gone…turns out the bacteria that caused Skye’s bladder infection is resistant to sulfa drugs and she is on cipro twice a day for 7 days as of thisevening. I really hope this clears up for her soon as this is really painful for her and she doesnt need the excess pain. She was absolutely miserable throughout the entire chemotherapy session.

FYI – My head hair is over 3/4 gone now.

Early Saturday – Lots of burping and gas but no nausea yet.  Might very well be constipated tomorrow.

Skye’s Bladder Infection & My Bone Pain

Early thismorning (2:30 AM) Skye began complaining of frequent and painful urination and there was a sizeable amount of blood in her urine so off we went to Memorial ER where she gave a urine sample and was diagnosed with Cystitis. Given sulfa antibiotic and something for bladder pain and should come back or go see doc if not better on Monday.

While there I took advantage of the O2 Sat meter. On left ring finger I was 88 and nearly had a fit. Later tried right index finger and sat was 96 standing still.  So breathed a sigh of relief there. Still have bone pain and took another half pain pill when we got home.. Also took one of my sulfa antibiotics again just to be safe.  Worried about the high white blood count and bone pain.  Am afraid to start the neupragen right away Monday….will talk to nurse about that on Friday.  Might call over there later today if I still have fears of uninary infection to see if chemo okay with sulfa drug.

Hopefully skye will be better by the weekend. 

Pre Third Chemo Oncologist Appt

As of my oncologist visit today here is an outline of the plan for my treatment.  This could change of course but:
 
My 3rd chemo will be this Friday
My 4th and probably last chemo will be on Dec 5th
Even after taking the weaker Neupragen my white count is 39.19 or nearly  5 times higher than normal so I will get fewer shots after chemo #3 and possibly even fewer shots after chemo #4.  We have agreed that the onset of my bone pain means the medicine is working TOO well.
10 days after 4th chemo I will go to either milwaukee or green bay hospital for an MRI of both breasts to see if chemo worked and if there are any indications of any problem in the right breast as well.
My surgery will probably be done sometime in January (I will politely refuse to have surgery around the holidays)
4 to 6 weeks after mastectomy I will likely begin radiation treatments (this is done every weekday for about 5 or 6 weeks – each treatment lasts only 2 to 4 minutes)
I will probably be placed on an oral medication after radiation which I will be on for 3 to 5 yrs.

He once again said he felt nothing under my left armpit and this time said he felt nothing in the left breast.I am NOT looking forward to the surgery.
 
Best as I can tell this “visit to hell” should be over (if i am lucky) in time for Easter…..sigh!