#6 - and 3/4's done!

We're luckily between snows for today's 8:45am appointment. All went as usual except one of their machines was down so every patient's blood had to go to the hospital for analysis, so there was about an hour delay. I lost another 2lbs., and was told to bump up how many boosts I have a day, and really try to add calories (oh, darn). The drug to make me hungry was never brought up.

We've gotten to know many people in the infusion room who show up every Tuesday as we do, the conversation goes from lively when we first see each other, to more serious talking in depth of our personal struggles. Today I realized of the 5 of us, I'm the only one with a bright outlook. It's rough to look in their eyes knowing what they'll be facing soon. So I mainly listen, and comiserate over our side-effects.

Hooked back up to the shoulder-pack we left about 3pm into the windy weather, wearing gloves due to the tingling neuropathy in my hands. I later had to call a nurse back about something and she asked how it was when I left, and other than my hands I was fine, why? She said a few of the patience breathed in the cold air as they left and had to come back in because they got throat spasms and could hardly breath. That didn't happen to me, but she warned to always have a scarf to breathe into.

Then off to the acupunture appt. with a good treatment, advice, and mention of alternative ways to gain weight. Tonight, as I lay in bed, the tingling seems to have subsided in this position, but earlier I could hardly change clothes, open a pill bottle or rub hand cream on. Weird stuff. But on a lighter note, I opened a Sharon-gift - this time "Hera - Queen of the Gods" whose bird is the peacock so the gift was a beautiful peacock feather, which will find a place hanging on a wall. Anything lower and it will become a cat toy I'm sure. Good health to all, good night. (I know it's only 7:19!)

Between #5 & #6

The past couple days have been pretty rough, as usual right after a treatment, but today (Sunday) is much better. We've been outside enjoying the sunshine and 70° weather. I put on a pair of shorts, and while I'm pretty happy with having lost 30 lbs., it's a little shocking when I can put them on without unbuttoning, then sinching them up tight with a belt. I see a shopping trip in my future. Another shocking thing is how much hair comes out each day while I'm doing my hair. Luckily I had a lot to begin with and it's not too noticeable to others; and of course I'm thrilled I was able to keep it at all. As I mentioned before, my chemo cocktail for colo-rectal cancer is different from other cancers where you lose it all.

This coming week is my good week, and I've got the last of my newsletters to get to the printer, then all the bookkeeping and mailing involved - so I should have energy enough for all that. Andi heads back to college today after Spring Break; and Tori has just started hers. We all baked cookies together today. Life is good.

#5 done!

I am beyond halfway - yeah! Today's 5th treatment was a "treat" because Andrea got to come with since she's on Spring Break. I'm sure it was an eye-opener seeing them poke, prod and hook things up to me. We sure were entertained though with the good company and new friends we've met in the infusion room - Rick & Scott and Pat and her good friend Chris. I was still doing work on my laptop but the conversation was lively so I just had to interject occasionally. My blood count was good, a little low, but nothing too concerning. It just means I'll get another shot of Nulasta in my stomach on Thursday during the un-hooking. My dose was reduced yet again this time, and they still had me on the drip for 3 hours to make sure it didn't go in too fast.

I got hooked up to the 2-day pack, and my fingers tingle but felt fine enough to do a Sam's Club run with my two big helpers. Then an acupuncture treatment when I got back to Castle Rock. Then an amazing corned beef and cabbage dinner delivered from our wonderful friend Marsha, who'd also provided decadent dessert. And finally, my gift for Treatment Day from Sharon, this time "Gaia, Greek Goddess of Earth" and a beautiful delecate glass 4" square tray with an image of trees somehow embedded in it that you can see front and back. Thank you!

I know in a day or two this may get me down, so meantime I'm enjoying good talks with my daughters, watching them laugh and wrestle (until someone gets hurt)..., and need to continue getting more of the newsletters done while I can.

Thanks again to everyone for their cards, emails, offers of assistance, and facebook comments. It means so much!

Down a few pegs.

Right on schedule, it has knocked me down a few pegs. Yesterday and today has been spent mostly resting in bed, except for an acupuncture appointment meant to help me gain some energy for tonight, which I have plans with a couple friends. Let's hope it kicks in soon.

Unplugged after #4

I'm feeling a little drained today, but not near what I felt last round. The Dr. had lessened the dose just a bit, and it really helped. I dropped off to sleep for about a hour before my pack beeped about noon and it was time to go to the hospital to get unplugged. It went smooth. They said I looked MUCH better than last time. Although my blood pressure was unusually lower than normal, I seemed hydrated and didn’t need the saline infusion, but did get the Nulasta shot in my tummy to ensure my white blood cells counts stayed up. So, I'm back in bed, hoping for a couple more zzzz's this afternoon.

#4 and half way!!

Dr. Basche was not in today so we met with Dr. Rifkin, he has a great "bedside manner", we really liked him. He says my levels are all good, and that Basche is doing everything he would be doing for my case. My treatments started later than usual, 1pm, so we left about 4pm just in time to get to my acupuncture by 4:30. Other than the tingling starting in my hands again, I'm not feeling too bad! Back at home I got to open another Sharon-gift, which this time was "Athena - Goddess of Wisdom", along with the story of her (which I'll read when I'm down in bed) came a Wisdom Ornament of a girl reading and says "A lifelong love of learning." Well this whole journey has been a learning experience, and we'll be taking what we learned and applying our whole life long. Thanks Sharon. And thanks to all who have replied to Doug, and commented on my blog. My friends and family rock!