Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Shot Instead of Chemo

Just as I suspected, my "neutrophils" are low (type of white blood cell), and I had to get a shot of Neupogen instead of chemo today. That's the shot that caused me so much pain last time. This time I took ibuprofen and Tylenol BEFORE I got the shot, and so far I'm doing ok. The shot was a lower dose, and I'll do another one tomorrow. I'll have to give it to myself here at home. Then Friday I'll go back and get my levels checked and, if everything is ok, I'll get my 4th round of chemo then.
I still have a fever lingering, but its under control with the meds. My allergies are bothering me too, but mostly I just feel tired. Took a nap when we got home today. We were at the clinic for 3 hours or so, because there was some problems with insurance and letting me have a shot at home. Our insurance is very good overall, but when it comes to "specialty" drugs (meaning expensive!) they are very particular how they handle things. But the way things turn out, I think they end up wasting more money than they save! They are going to Fedex the shot to my house instead of letting me pick it up at the pharmacy--how is that saving money?
After I get round 4 of chemo, I found out today that I have to wait 3-4 weeks before starting radiation. The Oxaliplatin drug needs to be out of my system first. I have an appt. with the radiation therapist on June 17th. Radiation will start sometime after that appt. The good news is that will give me a bit of a break from side effects, the bad news is that pushes my whole treatment out a little farther. That's not really "bad", just another adjustment--one of many it seems! The soonest I could be done with everything is probably around mid- Nov. Just in time for my grandbaby to be born!
I also found out --or just realized--that while I will be getting the 5FU drug during radiation, its the Oxaliplatin that causes the cold sensitivity and hair thinning--so I'll be getting a break from both those side effects--yay! Hopefully the radiation side effects won't be too bad.
I'm going to close with some lines from one of my favorite songs I heard on the radio today:
I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me
(Walk by Faith, by Jeremy Camp)
Love and Blessings!
Tina

1 comment:

  1. Well, you're still here, and you will make it through. Think of it this way - you've already been through the most life-altering unexpected change you could go through - what's another 4-6 weeks? MORE TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY! :-)

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