Well, I should be reporting about my first day at chemo this week, but there has been a change in plans. I had my labs drawn this morning and went to visit with Dr. Te before treatment. The CT results were good. Most of the nodes have diminished in size. A few are still a little enlarged. He was pleased with that. But my labs from this morning showed counts that made him want to put off treatment for a week at least. The idea of a chemo cycle is to send the drugs in to kill the cancer cells. But along the way, they kill and damage white and red cells. That is why there are 25 days between treatments. To give time for the red and white count to bounce back up.I guess they didn't bounce back enough this time. My white count is only 1.7. He says if you do a treatment when it is too low, it does more damage to the marrow that it doesnt recover from. So for that reason, I guess I'm glad to wait. Just a little disappointing to be mentally prepared for it, then have to wait. Plus I've planned the spring and summer activities around the schedule I thought I would be on. Oh well, I guess flexibility should be expected.

There is a shot they can give to bring up the white count. I had one when I was in the hospital last month. I called the office to see if I should get one of those again. I'm waiting to hear back from them.

I am a pretty structured person who lives by lists and schedules. Not too much has been by the book for this adventure so far. So I need to be patient and just take things as they come.

April 21, 2010

It has been a precarious week. As of Wednesday night, I thought for sure I would be in the hospital with a fever on Thursday. I was feeling the same way I did the last time it happened. Aches and pains and fever. My temp was 101.0 (which is .5 higher than when I should call the doctor) when I took it at bedtime, but I just decided to go to bed and deal with it in the morning. It was down to 100.1 and has been coming down since. So for all of you that have always put me in your prayers, thank you. I know this was a great blessing.

I'm still not rid of the aches, but the fever has stayed down. This morning I had my CT scan. I just cant tell you how bad I hate the contrast they make you drink. One full cup every 20 minutes for 2 hours. I could just about throw up thinking about it. I'm sure the results of this test will be great compared to the last. I will find out from Dr. Te on Monday what they say.

I just can't believe how worn out I am! Just walking into and out of the hospital and I'm winded and shaky. Thank goodness Roger has been so good to me. I rarely do much more than dishes and laundry at home. I am so tired. And some days, like today, I get discouraged. I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and I will regain my strength and get some normalcy back. But I am tired of not feeling good. And a new round of chemo starts Monday, and I feel like I never quite bounced back from the last. I guess I am getting some venting done!! But I am truly grateful and humbled by those who continue to pray, and put my name on the prayer roll at the temple. I know without a doubt it does help me.

April 19, 2011

I have done pretty well the last few weeks. But starting yesterday I started getting some familiar aches and pains. I feel kind of flu-ish but haven't had a fever so I'm not worrying it. Just taking it easy. I have a CT scan on Thursday morning. Then 'm scheduled for chemo next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I have been really run down. Little things are not like they used to be. I can't wait for the day to return when I can be full of energy and be productive.

April 09, 2011

It has been a good week. I have felt good, no nausea. Pretty tired though. Weird thing over the past 10 days or so I have been itching. All over. It can be a side effect of the chemo. Chemo is hard on the skin. Sometimes it has driven me crazy, but mostly it is just annoying. However, it is an easy thing to live with compared to the nausea and other stuff.

April 3, 2011

I tend to either disappear for a few days when I either don't feel good, or do feel good . This time I haven't felt so good. Like clockwork after day 3 of chemotherapy is over I started with the very tired, heavy armed feeling again. By Thursday the nausea set in. Friday and Saturday were nausea days too. I really was diligent in staying on both Zofran and Compazine, but it didn't seem to do much. Nausea stinks.

I had read somewhere that it is common for a woman to gain 7 pounds during chemotherapy. I wondered how this could be possible since you're throwing up and have d no appetite. During all 3 days of chemotherapy they pump you full of steroids and while you still feel good, you want to eat everything in sight. Then you get sick and it's tough for a few days keep anything down and nothing sounds good at all. Then after you feel better again you eat everything you had dreamed of eating before. It's quite a roller coaster. I've had funny cravings along the way. I love ice cold fruit cocktail cups, strawberry milk, and chocolate milk. Do I sound like a 2 year old?


Anyway, I am feeling better again, glad to get out of that nasty nausea hole. I get my labs drawn tomorrow and hopefully all my counts will be good and no worries.

March 29, 2011

Day 2 of Cycle 2 done. Yesterday I went in for the whole shebang. They went through the notes on my last Rituxan experience, and this time pre-medicated me for everything that had been bad the first time. And it worked! I got through it fine, no embarrassing myself or anything like that. Today went well too. I have taken all the coaching tips and just decided to stay on the nausea medications for 10 days constantly and hopefully not have problems with it. Dr. Te said he is liking how I am responding to the treatment and wants me to go in for a CT scan on April 21st to see how the nodes are. I can tell you that they have shrunk, I can feel the size of them. But so far, so good. I continually am amazed at sweet family and friends and their care and concern. I love you all. Thanks for what you do for me.

Saturday March 26, 2011

It seems as though I have done a lot of complaining here, so I thought I'd better also write the good. After the hospital stay and the powerful antibiotics, Thursday I felt better than I have for a long time. Pain free, nausea free. It has felt WONDERFUL the last few days. I appreciate every time that I realize I don't have a headache, and feeling my face and it being not sweaty and the right temperature, and no pain! Maybe that's one of the many lessons I am supposed to learn through this trial. Be grateful for the little things, that are so easily taken for granted. I am learning! And appreciating. I plan to enjoy tomorrow with Kreigh and Kris and Atreyu and Roger, and make the most of it.

Then chemo starts again on Monday. I'm a little nervous because I will be getting all three drugs on Monday and will be hoping that the Rituxan doesn't have the same effect it did last time. They tell me it should go much better because my body has now been introduced to it. So I'm crossing my fingers.

I realize I haven't passed on the good news too, that it looks like I will be keeping my hair. They told me I would know in 3 weeks if I would lose it, and so far nothing. So Yay!

Have a great Sunday.