Thursday, June 24, 2010

It's been an interesting week with both ups and downs. On Saturday evening I noticed my elbow was sore and swollen. Turns out one of the blisters that broke and was open was infected. Knowing that if I called the Doctor she would have put me in the hospital with an IV of antibiotics and I had every important project I promised someone I would do first thing Monday morning I decided to play Dr. Doreen (OK not one of smartest moves). So between soaking in peroxide and hot and cold compresses by Sunday night it looked pretty good. On Wednesday I showed the Doctor who was concerned because it was warm. She wanted me to see a surgeon about lancing it (you got to be kidding - like I don't have enough going on). Did I mention it was my left arm where all my IV's have to be (for those of you who do not know i has lymph nodes taken out 7 years ago with my first cancer and I can't have blood draws, IV's or blood pressure on the right side). Saw thr surgeon who decided to put me on 500mg of Luprin 3x a day which is suppose to be super strong for a week and re-evaluate (thank you).

The weekend was spent mostly keeping my feet up and reading. I've been having trouble with my ankles and calves swelling (which if I could play doctor I think is in part to the amount of water they want me to drink) and I'm on a mission to keep them down.

Tuesday which I expected to be a BAD day turned out not to be so bad. More energy then last week so I guess nothing is set in stone with this. Had my weekly blood test and my super duper blood taker did a fantastic job with one stick!!! A great day!!!

Wednesday was chemo day. Because the weather was bad the Hot Dog cart wasn't out (BUMMER). Ended up in the hospital at Au Bon Pain for soup and sandwich which considering nothing tastes right didn't matter. On to chemo and nurse M who sorry to say didn't exude confidence. So much that I refused having her put in my IV. I felt bad but if you have had as many misses as I have had and as many times that I am stuck a week you would too. Because of the infection in my elbow chemo started late. They did start giving me the pre-meds and YES once again my Doctor showed up AFTER they gave me the Benydryl and Dexa-somthing so I my responses weren't as stellar as usual. Then she looks at my face and was concerned that I had a rash. I tried to explain that I was positive it was due to my moisturizer and that i had stopped using it that morning and already I saw a difference. Wasn't sure she bought it but I emailed her today that after 2 days of not using it I had no more breakouts and the ones I had were already drying up. It actually wasn't a rash but little white heads which is why I suspected the moisturizer.

Today was a GREAT day full of energy. I wish every day felt like this but I'll take them as they come.

So until next week I thank you all for you prayers and support. You are all helping me get through this!

Friday, June 18, 2010

Well this week started with some swelling and a headache but after further investigation turned out to be fluid build up and nothing serious!

Wednesday was chemo day and I have to admit that Hot Dog just didn't taste the same. Everything is getting a nasty metallic taste. My mouth has a constant metal taste and I've been popping tic-tacs to keep it away. Funny - the first time I went through chemo I couldn't even brush my teeth with mint toothpaste or drink coffee. This time there is no problem with both. The things that bother me now are beer, WINE (OH NO) and chocolate (which isn't a bad thing since I don't really like it all that much).

Chemo was uneventful again. The nurse was able to get the needle in with one try. This is a big deal since most take two tries and I'm beginning to look like a junky! This week they put me in a room with a bed which was terrible. I know they thought they were doing me a favor but I just couldn't get comfy. I'm going to have to request a recliner in the future. Best part again was the pre-drugs (Benedryl and dexa-???) which put me out for a nice 3 hour nap.

Here's the strange thing which has everyone wondering - By Wednesday I could hardly walk into the hospital between fatigue and my hip hurting. AFTER the treatment I literally skipped out I felt so good. Even yesterday it was a GREAT day and I was full of energy. Got a lot done!!! For those of you who REALLY know me this shouldn't be a surprise since I've always been, well, different. But I could tell it has the Doc's, nurses, etc stumped since I have no nausea or otherwise other side effects. So my good days are Wednesday after chemo through Monday afternoon. Then I start the chemo wearing off and Tuesday is really a BAD day until after chemo Wednesday. As long as I have this info it helps me plan my weeks.

Well, friends, nothing more to share. Just wanted to assure you that I am doing well and coping. I appreciate all your well wishes and prayers. With all of you I WILL get through this. Until next week I wish you all good health and happiness.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Finally time to post. Sorry for the long delay.

Chemo Wednesday started as usual with the famous hot dog lunch. Mark came with since I was getting full treatment and wasn't sure how I'd feel afterward. Two sticks to get the needle in but to be honest I'm getting use to it. I just want it in and secure so we can get this over with.

With the full treatment they give meds before to counteract any reactions i.e. anti-nausea and allergy meds. (Good thing Mark did come with because after the meds I was tired.) WOW - love that Benedryl and Dexa-something!!!! After they get in you don't care what happens! Of course it wasn't 20 minutes into the treatment my Doc shows up to talk - not still sure what we talked about and agreed to. Best part is that I finally slept for almost 3 hours!!! Best sleep I've had in 6 weeks.

Leaving the hospital approx 6PM we decided to go to my fave restaurant - VOLARE for dinner instead of fighting the traffic. Had a great meal and got out just as those Blackhawks started playing. Home for a shower and lay on the sofa watching the game. Even slept most of the night and didn't get up until 5AM.

The next day I felt better then I did in a long time. Had a lot of energy and no sign of nausea. I have to admit by the afternoon I was dragging and to make things worse almost 2 hours to get home due to construction. Good friend Karen came over for company and we ended up getting a quick bite and she took me grocery shopping. By the time I got home I was completely wiped so on to bed.

Today was an up and down day. Started again with energy but by noon both my shoulder and hip were killing me and I was having trouble walking. By 3:30 I had to admit it was time to call it a day. Then the LIGHT BULB went off - shoulder and hip was muscle pulls. Maybe ADVIL would work. So swallowed a few when I got home and but my feet up for an hour. DAHHHHH! I felt back to normal with hardly a pain! Never said I was a brain surgeon!

Dinner tonight with good friend (Dr)Vicki was had been my advocate at the hospital and clearing the way for me to make sure everything runs smoothly. Had a great time gossiping and catching up. Total relaxing evening.

Now on to the weekend where I hope to be able to put up and feet and veg.

Hope I didn't bore you too much. Have a great weekend and see ya next week.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Blood test this morning went off without a hitch! Thanks again to Cindy for helping to get this happen!!! Should be all ready for tomorrows chemo treatment.

Can I get a little off subject for a minute???? I'd like to talk about Toilet Paper! Is it me, or has the quality of toilet paper gone downhill? I mean first they take away our colors - but now it seems it disintegrates upon use! I have always used SCOTT (due to mom) all my life. Now as I mentioned with the steroids I spend a lot of time in the bathroom. Without being too graphic, by the end of the day I could paper a wall with whats left - and I PAT!!!! Anyone have a recommendation on a better paper???? Sorry but I needed to get that off my mind!

Thanks again for listening. Tomorrows treatment will be a little rougher so think of me!

Monday, June 7,2010

Friday was my last brain radiation treatment. I'm so happy not to have to be at the hospital at 6AM! At the end of the session my tech ceremoniously presented me with my MASK to take home as a souvenir! They can't kid me - its the hospitals way of getting rid of it without creating more garbage. Think I'll stick some flowers in it and hang it on the wall -NOT!!! Although it does make a good conversation piece.

After the session back to Nurse Maria who suddenly lost her attitude. While she was taking down some info she says "do you work here"? My reply, "No, but I have many friends who are Doctors on staff". Hmmmmmmm......... As she was finishing she spots my Doctor walking down the hall and yells out "Don't go too far, I'm almost done". Record time I was in and out!
Solidifies - It's not what you know but WHO you know!!!!

All and all feeling pretty good. Spent the weekend resting and trying to keep my feet up. Still having problems will ankle and foot swelling. Also feeling a lot of twinges in the area the cancer is so I'm not sure to worry or if it's the chemo. Steroids are taking there toll on my face and I look like a cave women with round face and bloated features. I hate looking in the mirror!!!

Tomorrow thanks to sister-in-law Cindy and friend Dr. Lisa Abrams I'll start my Tuesday morning blood test at 7:30 in Deerfield to save having to be at the hospital 2 hours early on Wednesday (more time to work). Wednesday starts full chemo regiment which makes me happy. Please send me positive energy on Wednesday afternoon that this duo treatment of Hercepton and Taxol is the cocktail I need to melt this cancer away!

Otherwise I feel fine, working full days and resting on weekends and evenings.

More later in the week. Love you all!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

HOT DOG! - Yes, the tradition continued yesterday with my pre-chemo hot dog. Have to get them while I can taste them.

Chemo was relatively routine. I was lucky to get Nurse Diane who is able to get my IV in with one try. Still only getting the Hercepton until next week when I'm back to full regiment. They threw me a curve ball yesterday and as an added bonus also added a bag of bone strenghtener (the chemo I'm on is very destructive to bones so one treatment a month). I had this same IV back in September and the next day I felt like I was hit by a MACK truck. So all day today I was waiting - and so far so good. Seems like my body may be giving me a break! Good friend (Dr) Vicki Villaflor dropped by to sit with me for a while as we gossiped about the weekend. We are "marking the territory like cat" and its working. Once the staff saw it I was getting covered with blankets, being brought drinks, etc. Kind of sad you need pull rank.

Tomorrow is my LAST radiation treatment!!! It will be good not having to be at the hospital 3 times a week. So next week (keep your fingers crossed) I will be there ONLY on Wednesdays. I was also able to resolve having to be at the hospital 2 hours before chemo because I need to have blood drawn (Sorry - but I still cannot believe they make people sit for two hour for their inefficiencies). BIG THANKS to my sister-in-law Cindy and friend (Dr) Lisa Abrams and the blessing of my doctor I will have my blood drawn on Tuesday mornings at Cindy/Lisa's Glenview office where they will have it analyzed and fax the results to my doctor for my Wednesday chemo treatment. This will allow me to work until 1:00 before I head to the hospital for my 3 PM appointment. More work for me and less stress for me. WIN-WIN situation in my book.

So next week starts a new journey. Thanks again for all your thoughts, prayers and messages. I keep everyone and read them often for strength,

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

I hope you all had as great as a weekend as I did. It was good to just relax and not worry about anything.

Started the morning with the 4th radiation treatment to the brain. One more on Friday so I'm excited to get this part out of the way and concentrate on the chemo treatments. They said that the radiation would fatigue me but the be truthful I think its getting up at 4AM, driving to the hospital and then to work. That's the tiring part for me!

I finally figured out how to down load the photos of what I look like getting the treatments. The mask they put on is so tight my face looks like a waffle when its taken off. Good thing I don't have claustrophobia because you can't move a hair once the put you in this contraption.

Down to 2 steroids a day which is a good thing. Hopefully I'll have a better sleep pattern and not be so hungry all the time.

Speaking of STEROIDS - let's talk! If you know anyone who is on them, were on them or going on them let me give you a 5 minute education! First of all the reason I'm on is to reduce the swelling caused my the treatments. From what I understand swelling/fluid and radiation are not a good mix when radiating your brain (SPLAT if you know what I mean). Taking these things are nasty.

Here's what happens (at least to me).

1. Hungry all the time. I usually give most of the dinner to Mark when we're at a restaurant. Now I'm looking at his plate!!!

2. Constant having to go to the bathroom. Never knew I had so much liquid in me. Besides not sleeping I'm up every hour on the hour ruining to the bathroom!!!

3. Poor sleep pattern. Too wired to sleep all night through.

AND THE WORST........

4. MEAN DOREEN comes out. Seriously, about 10 minutes after taking one (when I was on 4x day) I feel my whole personalty change to the dark side. Everything bothers you from the women talking too loud at the next table to Mark eating those french fries so fast. You know its not right but all you want to do is lash out and tell someone off. Thankfully I have a strong personality so I was able to control the urges, but I can see how some people go off the deep edge and actually hurt someone else. I know they wouldn't be prescribed if not necessary but please keep a close watch on the person to make sure they do not hurt themselves or anyone else!

Tomorrow is another chemo treatment. My last of just Hercepton - they add Taxol next week.

Thanks again to all of you for all the energy you have been sending me. I love you all!