Chemo Round 2 Of 8

Maybe I should say round 6 of 12? Because these 8 rounds are a continuation of the 4 I had in the spring--for a total of 12 rounds. But the side effects are more like a round 2 than a round 6. If that makes any sense :) .

My blood counts were a little low, but still within the range that my doc allows for chemo. We discussed doing the Neupogen shot to increase the white blood cells (specifically neutrophils), but since I can't take ibuprofen for the pain (because of my blood thinners), we decided to hold off until next round. By then I'll be done with the blood thinner shots (Lovenox), and will be able to take the ibuprofen before the shot.

I can stop taking the antibiotic for the c-diff, but the doc said he was going to double check with the infectious disease doc to see if I should stay on it longer at a lower dose. He said he was going to do that last time, so I hope he remembers this time! Because of the c-diff, I haven't been able to touch my grandson, so I'm hoping by the time he comes home in a month or so I'll be all clear to hold him!

I did get the flu shot today. It was for the seasonal flu, as they don't have the H1N1 shots yet. I asked the doc if the flu could kill me, and while he didn't say no, he did say that those with the blood cancers (like lymphoma) are more at risk because of their suppressed immune systems. While my counts get low, I still have a working immune system to help fight the flu. But it is weaker than a normal, healthy person. I asked him if they (the ones with blood cancers) are the ones I see wearing the masks, and he said yes, and I don't need a mask.

So, while I was sitting there getting my chemo, Shonna sends me a text that says "I called in sick to work--don't come near me or you will die". ( That's typical Shonna drama:) ) Turns out she has a really bad sore throat and headache. These are the same symptoms my oncology nurse, Cheryl, tells me her son had about 3 weeks ago and her doc thinks it was H1N1 and gave her son Tamiflu. Great. Shonna is staying away from me and in her room as much as possible, but we do share a bathroom. I think I'm going to put out a separate hand towel just for me. I'm going to try to get Shonna in to the doc tomorrow. If I tell them I have cancer, maybe they'll be willing to fit her in! Shonna said several kids in one of her college classes all got sick around the same time. She's been using hand sanitizer and washing alot, but really, this flu virus is airborne and hand washing might not help all that much (although its still recommended).

So far my side effects have been stronger than last round. I've been getting the hand, lip and calf cramping, and my throat is more affected by the cool air. I brought my new scarf with me, and I'm glad I did because I really needed it. I still have it around my shoulders so I can breathe into it every now and then to warm up my throat. I still get that weird pain in my jaw from my salivary (sp?) glands everytime I eat something. The first few bites really hurt, then it stops. I don't remember what the doc said about it, but its normal for this treatment.

Typing is getting difficult, and I have a headache, so time to stop.

Love to all!
Tina

Still Here....

I guess I was wrong when I said I wouldn't be in the hospital long! Hopefully I can go home tomorrow. I have a lot of pain and cramping after eating and the doc wants me to be able to eat without a lot of pain before I go home. Its a VERY slow process. I think the C-diff infection is under control, but it just takes a long time for the inflamed bowels to heal and go back to "normal". There were white blood cells in the bladder, but the culture didn't grow anything, so its not really an infection. The white blood cells are probably a reaction to radiation on the lining of the bladder.
Don't know what we are going to do about radiation. I still would like to finish the last 3, but don't know if that'll happen. I've decide to pray about it and leave it in God's hands--I don't want to be worrying about it.
It gets pretty boring here! But since I like to sleep a lot, its really not too bad. Dee came down Saturday to keep me company so Rich could stay home for awhile and get some things done. We yakked for about 5 hours! It was great! This C-Diff infection is contagious, so she was taking a risk, but she kept her gown and gloves on like a good girl!
This infection is contagious mostly only to those that have a compromised immune system, or have recently taken antibiotics (because that kills the "good" bacteria that keeps the bad stuff in check).
Thanks for checking in! And thanks for your prayers!!
Love to all,
Tina

Going to the Hospital

Last night I decided to take my temp before bed, because I was supposed to be keeping an eye on it. It was 100.4, so I called the after hours nurse line--she talked to Dr. J, my oncologist, and he wanted me to go to the ER to be tested for some different infections and such. We got down there about 10:30, and by that time my temp was up to 101.3. They did some x-rays, lots of blood tests, stool and urine sample, and a CT scan. Turns out I have a bladder infection again. The ct scan showed that my lower bowel is inflamed, but not as bad as last time. They sent me home with 2 antibiotics. We got home about 6:30 am.

So this afternoon, I called the cancer center to talk to a nurse to see if I could take some oxycontin I had left over, and she started asking me questions about my pain and fever (100.2 earlier today). She talks to the doc and calls me back to tell me he wants to admit me to the hospital. He doesn't like the way the bowels looked on the scan, and I have another infection called C-Diff (?) in the bowels and he wants to keep a close eye on me. The nurse also said I have a "major" bladder infection, whatever that means.

When I am in a lot of pain, I actually prefer to be at the hospital. I get good pain meds, and I don't have to do ANYTHING. My food is brought to me, I have an adjustable bed, the nurses come at the push of a button--its nice! Everytime I move it hurts, so just laying in bed is all I really want to do.

I don't think I'll be there long--just enough to get some antibiotics, and reassure the doc that my bowels aren't going to explode! (or whatever he thinks is going to happen)

So, as always, prayers are appreciated!
Take care everyone!
Love,
Tina