Tuesday, December 13, 2022

I won’t lie, I had a tough 24 hours yesterday. It was that horrible headache that just wouldn’t go away. The medical people keep pushing Tylenol but I’ve known for a long time that Tylenol doesn’t work for me. I was nauseous this morning but I think that was more from the headache than the treatments. As soon as I was able this morning, I called the Oncology ward and got approval to take the Aleve. Within hours of taking the Aleve I was feeling better – headache still there but under control.

I’m experiencing one of the common side effects of the infusion injections I’m taking; nothing I can’t handle. I have a spasm of pain through my stomach every now and again. They only last the length of a breath; a deep breath in and out controls the pain.

The Oncology doctor from Vancouver called this afternoon just to check in. The results of both the bone and CT scan are in and they show no cause for concern. 

After being indoors and in bed for so long I thought I’d like some fresh air. For a good long time late this morning I sat out on the back deck, wrapped up in sweaters and a quilt and enjoyed the fresh air. There wasn’t a lot of sunshine but it wasn’t wet.

We may head out to mini-golf this evening; the Fire Department have a walk-through light display. I’m not going to be able to see the concert I look forward to each year so this will be our Christmas “thing”.

Monday, January 12,2022

I’m checking in with a brief update. The days after my first treatment were better than that first afternoon although I had to deal with a bad headache and I wasn’t allowed to take my usual headache meds. The headache has subsided but not actually gone away.

My sleep is a bit off. I’ve been waking up around three or four, getting up for a couple of hours and then back to bed for a couple more hours of sleep. I don’t like laying there awake so feel I may as well be up doing something. Not that much of anything is being done mind you.

I had my first injection yesterday and felt badly after but today I sat still for a half hour after and that was better. It is awkward injecting myself but Pat supervises and makes sure I’m doing it right.

I was able to confirm today that the January appointment with the radiologist can be done by telephone. That is a relief as the ferries are being cancelled almost daily due to staffing issues. There will be times when I have to go down but all of the open appointments with the radiologist were treatment weeks.

So far I’m okay. I’d like to go to sleep at night and feel great in the morning but that will be awhile coming. Thanks for all the good wishes.

Happy Birthday Dylan

December 10, 2022

On my last trip to Saskatoon we made a stop at Krazy Bins and I found a diamond dots kit of a couple of parrots. I bought it with the idea that, when done, it would be a reminder of Diane who loved parrots. It has sat in the drawer of my stitching table since I got home.

For my birthday this year Kathryn gave me this lovely kit that is from the dahlia’s on our deck. I’d never done a diamond dots but I had given a few of them as gifts myself.

It was somewhat additive, not unlike rug hooking, but totally mindless – perfect for me at the moment. I loved doing it and I love the finished product.

Friday, December 9, 2022

So far – good

Home from the first treatment. It wasn’t at all bad. IV went in the back of my hand; it’s a bit sore now but she said it was the best spot for it and I was OK with that as she had no trouble inserting it. There was about a half-hour wait with my anti-nausea drugs (3 of them) and a steroid pill that will help the anti-nausea drugs work better. They gave me another drug and its side effect is that I probably won’t sleep tonight; some people apparently scrub floors during the night but that won’t happen here. One of the chemo drugs was injected into the line manually – that took about half an hour. The IV drugs through the bag took about an hour but next time they will likely push it through in half an hour. 

I packed a bag this morning with my anti-nausea drugs, magazine, iPad, music, “family” blanket and Emma’s pillow. Next time I’ll lighten the load and just take the music, pillow, and blanket. The chair is comfortable, and it was even better once I figured out how to recline it. My feet were cold so I’ll take warmer socks next time.

I have some nausea but she said in general if you didn’t have much morning sickness during pregnancy (I didn’t) you often don’t experience it with the chemo. Feeling “off” this afternoon but I can’t decide if it is a chemo reaction or just my usual “up from a nap”. I slept for a couple of hours this afternoon but I’ve taken another anti-nausea pill.

There are several daily routines I need to keep up with. Blood pressure and temperature checks, anti-nausea pills for two more days and the white blood cell injections start on Sunday. The clinic checked on the echocardiogram and it is scheduled for January 3. Double blood work between now and my next treatment. Treatments will be every two weeks on Friday morning.

It’s all good – so far.