Monday, February 6, 2023

Today’s chemo went well. Only two attempts to find a vein – she opted to put the IV in my finger. Hopefully by next time one of the more central veins will have healed enough to be used again.

The sessions this time around are going to be at least four hours. I get three meds to help with side effects and the possibility of an allergic reaction before I get to the chemo drug. And that chemo drug can’t be pushed anything short of three hours. It’s a long time in the chair but I cuddled under my ‘Hug’ blanket and listened to music on my iPod. I may have even dozed off a time or two – another of the pre-meds makes you drowsy.

I’m happy to say that I don’t have to take the steroid pill over the next few days. However one of the IV dugs was the steroid and that explains why I’m feeling so good now. I hate coming off the steroid but I like that I have some good days as a result of it.

I managed to do a bit of work on my cross stitch project this afternoon while Pat taught his guitar lessons.

Sunday, February 5, 2023

Although I’m not yet feeling “normal” I am working hard to get there. Still no appetite no matter what Pat tempts me with. When I feel like I should eat something I’m having an Ensure or a few nuts and maybe some fruit. I do eat an occasional meal. Pat made me egg and toast one morning for breakfast and that filled me for the rest of the day; today I had a bowl of oatmeal.

I know I need more exercise and we are trying to get out for walks even when the weather isn’t nice. It was rainy all morning but the sun has come out so we may get out later this afternoon. I just can’t face walking on the treadmill for some reason; if the weather doesn’t cooperate I’m going to have to get over that.

I’m not sleeping well, except for the night when I had a low-grade fever and took a couple of Tylenol. Last night, after a long walk and no naps, I didn’t sleep any better so I think that, fever or not, I’m going to take Tylenol before bed tonight as I’m already nervous about tomorrow.

Tomorrow I start my next round of chemo. A new drug with concerns about allergic reactions. Before I get the actual drug I’ll be getting several anti-allergy meds and then they watch me to see if I have any reactions. I’m not looking forward to the ordeal but once it is done it is one step closer to the end. I will have to continue with the white blood cell injections but I don’t know what additional meds I might have to have.

Onwards and upwards.

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

I had an appointment with my family doctor yesterday morning. All is fine and he had a note in his file saying they weren’t going to do my 4th chemo round but were going to move on to the second series. 

Then, late yesterday afternoon, we had a call from my doctor at the Vancouver Cancer Clinic. I’m not sure if it was my recent hospital stay but my case had been a topic for a conference. After either reviewing (or redoing) the pathology report they have decided I don’t have the more aggressive HER2 cancer.

What this means going forward is that I will get only one drug for the next four rounds of chemo rather than 3 different drugs. It also means that I won’t be needing the expensive drug we were going to pay for on our own.

I will still require the three weeks of radiation in Vancouver but following radiation I won’t require the next round of 13 chemo treatments. After radiation I think I’m done.

Thanks to everyone who has kept me in their thoughts and prayers. This is good news!

Sunday, January 29, 2023

After my prolonged stay in hospital it is great to be home. I’m on a lot of medications and it keeps me busy just keeping up with the schedule. Pat put everything into the calendar which makes it so much easier for me. Particularly because over the next couple of days some of them stop or some will change the dosage.

I’m pleased that I really have no pain, but I’m a long way from feeling “myself”. I tire really easily and I have very low energy. I’m trying to build up my strength – in spite of the cool days we’ve managed to get out for short walks.

I almost have to force myself to eat. I have no appetite no matter what yummy meals Pat prepares. After half a dozen bites I’m done. I know I need to eat to get my strength back so I keep trying.

I’m also dealing with some “mind” issues – some anxiety and a very easy slip into depression. I try to keep myself busy but even though I have things I could do I have little to no interest in doing them. 

I want the woman back who could hardly wait to start her day at six in the morning and who could tackle and solve almost any issue. These days I’m barely able to drag myself out of bed for my 8 AM meds.

This is not meant to be a “woe is me” post. I’m just finding it hard to deal with this new reality.