Wow, this one really kicked my ass this time! Even though mentally I am persevering, my body is screaming that it has had enough. I came home yesterday after chemo and I was so fatigued I literally couldn't get out of bed for hours. I barely had the strength to roll over. When I finally did get up, I felt like my arms and legs were weights. Then on top of all that, I later got complete neuropathy in both hands and arms (which basically feels like numbness, but with a dull achy feeling.) It was horrible, I think I slept a total of 3 hours last night. I'm doing better today thankfully. Just the usual stomach problems and flu like symptoms.
During my appointment, I tried to discuss with my doctor about the elephant in the room (radiation), but she won't discuss it with me until after my final PET scan. She did say I am a "boarder-line" case and because of this I have a feeling she will ultimately let me decide.
My doc is on vacation in 2 weeks, so it looks like I will be going for my final chemo on Monday June 28th. Apparently I am doing so well they are going to do my final chemo without a doctor exam first!
June 28th will be like Christmas morning! Because after every miserable moment that passes that day, I know it will only get better for good this time. : )
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
June 9th - Having cancer is such a pain in the @ss (or back?)
Nausea is gone until next time, YAY! But the back pain and fatigue are killing me. I am wearing out my heating pads big time. I have one on the couch downstairs and one in the bedroom. I recently had to replace the couch one, because my "Cujo" rat terrier decided to eat it. At least it's cooler this week. I don't have central air and it sucked to lay on a heating pad all day in 90 degree heat! But the worse thing is driving. Must have something to do with the way the seats are made in my car. When I'm the passenger it's fine. I can squirm around or curl up in a ball and take the pressure off it, but when you're driving that's not advisable.
The fatigue is bad too. Long gone are the days I could spend hours shopping at the mall. I barely have the energy to run to Stewart's for milk. Seriously, as much as I used to hate grocery shopping, I truly despise it now. I am becoming a hermit. I try to leave the house as little as possible. I would say that my wallet is appreciating the break from shopping, but it really isn't experiencing any relief, due to my addiction to Amazon and Ebay. And I only have to leave my heating pad for a second to open the door for UPS. Not to mention the added medical bills. I really don't know what people do without insurance.
So my back hurts and I am totally exhausted and I have to drive to the doctor's office for blood work. : ( It is such a pain the @ss. Drive 30 minutes and fight the biggest construction zone in the capital district, to be stuck with a needle and told my red blood cell count is low, which obviously, I am well aware of given the level of fatigue I am feeling. Arrrgggg!
Ooops, I gotta go, UPS is at the door. And I'm done ranting now, thanks for listening, or reading. Only two more chemos to go! And then I promise, I will never complain about anything, ever again. (Please don't hold me to that, but seriously, I will do my best.)
The fatigue is bad too. Long gone are the days I could spend hours shopping at the mall. I barely have the energy to run to Stewart's for milk. Seriously, as much as I used to hate grocery shopping, I truly despise it now. I am becoming a hermit. I try to leave the house as little as possible. I would say that my wallet is appreciating the break from shopping, but it really isn't experiencing any relief, due to my addiction to Amazon and Ebay. And I only have to leave my heating pad for a second to open the door for UPS. Not to mention the added medical bills. I really don't know what people do without insurance.
So my back hurts and I am totally exhausted and I have to drive to the doctor's office for blood work. : ( It is such a pain the @ss. Drive 30 minutes and fight the biggest construction zone in the capital district, to be stuck with a needle and told my red blood cell count is low, which obviously, I am well aware of given the level of fatigue I am feeling. Arrrgggg!
Ooops, I gotta go, UPS is at the door. And I'm done ranting now, thanks for listening, or reading. Only two more chemos to go! And then I promise, I will never complain about anything, ever again. (Please don't hold me to that, but seriously, I will do my best.)
Friday, June 4, 2010
June 1st - Chemo #10
Sorry for the delay in posting about my latest chemo. I have been really really sick this time around, so I haven't felt like talking/writing about it. Had the chemo Tuesday morning and by Tuesday night I was already feeling nauseous. Went back in to the doctor's office on Wednesday for Neulasta and more stomach meds (didn't do a lot of good). So I am just trying to ride it out, constantly reminding myself that I only have to go through this two more times.
In fact, I am so close to the end of my "Chemo days" that I am now on to worrying about the next step, radiation. The doc still hasn't said one way or another on it. But I have worries about having it and worries about not having it.
So here's the plan as I understand it. I have my two more ABVD chemo treatments, the last one being on June 29th. Then I have to wait a month before having my PET Scan, which will hopefully be clean and basically mean I am in remission. And it is at that point that a decision needs to be made about radiation.
In the mean time, I think I will read up on radiation a bit. I need to understand the risks vs benefits, so when the time comes to have that discussion with my doctor, I will know what I am talking about.
In fact, I am so close to the end of my "Chemo days" that I am now on to worrying about the next step, radiation. The doc still hasn't said one way or another on it. But I have worries about having it and worries about not having it.
So here's the plan as I understand it. I have my two more ABVD chemo treatments, the last one being on June 29th. Then I have to wait a month before having my PET Scan, which will hopefully be clean and basically mean I am in remission. And it is at that point that a decision needs to be made about radiation.
In the mean time, I think I will read up on radiation a bit. I need to understand the risks vs benefits, so when the time comes to have that discussion with my doctor, I will know what I am talking about.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
