I have one more day to finish up all my Christmas stuff. And if I can't have chemo on Wed., then I'll have some extra days to relax, or maybe do some more baking.
I don't have too many side effects right now. My feet and hands tingle a little from neuropathy, and I still tire more quickly than usual, oh, and my hair is still thinning! And I seem to have balance issues sometimes, so I'm very careful going up and down the stairs, and walking on the snow and ice. Other than that, I'm feeling pretty good right now! I hope my platelets are back up so I can have chemo. I REALLY want to get it over with! I want to get on with my life...
I was going to finish up my shopping today, but since it snowed this morning, I decided to do some baking and wrapping today and wait until tomorrow to get out and finish up my shopping. I've got a few gift cards to get, and some groceries.
Rachel came over with Brennan (my shirt still smells like baby!), and spent the afternoon here. She is one of my little elves and did some gift wrapping for me!
A wonderful friend from work stopped by and gave me some afghans her mom crocheted for the cancer center, and also gave us a gift card for Subway! Its much appreciated and will be used when I have chemo and can't cook anything. We spend too much money on eating out when I don't feel good! One craving I have when I feel my worst is a McDonald's dbl hamburger and small fry--it tastes good when I can't taste much else! Other times, I try to stay away from there.
My weight, at its lowest, was down 27 lbs. But its back up a bit since I've had so much time off from chemo! I try to watch what I eat, and how much I eat, but its hard when everything all of a sudden tastes good! And of course there's the Christmas cookies! I've been eating a lot of clementines, and drinking COLD water too.
I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season and remembering the Reason for the season. Its not about what you can get, or how much you spend, but its about a baby being born so that we might have a Savior, and enter into Heaven some day.
Peace and Blessings,
Tina
Monday, December 14, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Platelets Still Too Low
No chemo today. My platelets actually went down, instead of up! The doc wants to wait a week, so we'll try again next Wed.
So, I have to get EVERYTHING done before then. Because if I get chemo next week, I'll be in a fog until Christmas Eve, and won't have any time to get anything else done. I'm a last minute person, so it'll be a challenge for me to get everything done that far in advance. :) Ugh--I forgot about Christmas cards--have to do them too. I better start making a list and plan out my days! I wanted to get a little baking done too.
The good side, of course, is I'm feeling good and getting some strength back. I'm not sure if that makes getting the next chemo round easier or harder. I was getting used to the sick and tired feeling--it'll be hard to go back to that now that I'm feeling better. But I'm determined to enjoy these extra days!
I do worry, just a little, that I'm not fighting the cancer hard enough. Not that there is anything I can do about it. I wish there was an easy way to build the platelets back up. I think my onc. said they are working on something.
Well, not much else to say!
Love and Blessings!
Tina
So, I have to get EVERYTHING done before then. Because if I get chemo next week, I'll be in a fog until Christmas Eve, and won't have any time to get anything else done. I'm a last minute person, so it'll be a challenge for me to get everything done that far in advance. :) Ugh--I forgot about Christmas cards--have to do them too. I better start making a list and plan out my days! I wanted to get a little baking done too.
The good side, of course, is I'm feeling good and getting some strength back. I'm not sure if that makes getting the next chemo round easier or harder. I was getting used to the sick and tired feeling--it'll be hard to go back to that now that I'm feeling better. But I'm determined to enjoy these extra days!
I do worry, just a little, that I'm not fighting the cancer hard enough. Not that there is anything I can do about it. I wish there was an easy way to build the platelets back up. I think my onc. said they are working on something.
Well, not much else to say!
Love and Blessings!
Tina
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Chemo Tomorrow?
Tomorrow is supposed to be round 6 of my chemo treatments. It all depends on whether or not my platelet count came back up.
I've been enjoying these extra days before chemo. I've got most of the house decorated--although Alyssa did most of the work! We found an apartment for Alyssa and Jaren (she'll move in Jan 1st), and I made it to church on Sunday! I haven't been to church in awhile because I either don't feel good, or its just too hard to get moving in the morning. We also did some shopping on Sat.
I've been drinking lots of cold water and juice. Its been awhile since I could have water with ice in it! I still need to take small sips tho--can't gulp it down.
If I get chemo tomorrow I'll be hibernating for the next week! The first 2 days with my pump I don't feel too bad, but it'll be WAY too cold to go outside. Its snowing now with a temp of 19, and its supposed to be COLDER the next few days. Shonna came home today complaining about the snow and cold ("why do we live here?"). She is always cold. She's going to live with Alyssa in her new apartment for the first month until Jaren comes home, and she got REALLY excited when I told her the apartment would be much warmer.
I still get tired when walking too long or even standing too much. Stairs really wear me out! But other than that, things things are pretty good right now. That could all change tomorrow.... :)
Take care everyone!
Tina
I've been enjoying these extra days before chemo. I've got most of the house decorated--although Alyssa did most of the work! We found an apartment for Alyssa and Jaren (she'll move in Jan 1st), and I made it to church on Sunday! I haven't been to church in awhile because I either don't feel good, or its just too hard to get moving in the morning. We also did some shopping on Sat.
I've been drinking lots of cold water and juice. Its been awhile since I could have water with ice in it! I still need to take small sips tho--can't gulp it down.
If I get chemo tomorrow I'll be hibernating for the next week! The first 2 days with my pump I don't feel too bad, but it'll be WAY too cold to go outside. Its snowing now with a temp of 19, and its supposed to be COLDER the next few days. Shonna came home today complaining about the snow and cold ("why do we live here?"). She is always cold. She's going to live with Alyssa in her new apartment for the first month until Jaren comes home, and she got REALLY excited when I told her the apartment would be much warmer.
I still get tired when walking too long or even standing too much. Stairs really wear me out! But other than that, things things are pretty good right now. That could all change tomorrow.... :)
Take care everyone!
Tina
Friday, December 4, 2009
No Chemo Today--and That's a Good Thing!
Just as I suspected, I wasn't able to get chemo today due to low platelets. They were 51 on Monday and are now 66, so they are coming up. My oncologist, Dr. J., said they usually come back up pretty fast, so we scheduled chemo for next Wed. Usually I would be a little bummed about delaying chemo, but as I told the doc, I think my body needs a break, and he agreed. He also said we could stay on the 2 week schedule and do a reduced amount of chemo, or spread out the treatments more and do the full dose, and the 2nd option is what he felt would work better for me. He assured me we are not hurting anything by waiting. So after my next treatment (#6), I get to wait 3 weeks to do my 7th treatment, which means I will have a MUCH better Christmas--yay!! It will be on Dec. 30th. Then my LAST ONE will be mid Jan. I'm so happy I could just do a little dance! :)
My white blood cells are WAY up, which I knew they would be because I could feel it working. My fever is gone, and I'm still taking the antibiotics, but don't need the percoset anymore. Although I will save them for next time I do the Neupogen shots!
So, as always, God has worked things out for me again! Everytime I needed to feel good for a holiday or special event, God has worked out my chemo schedule for me. Its been just amazing. No coincidences here folks! Its all God!!
Hope everyone has a WONDERFUL weekend!
Love,
Tina
My white blood cells are WAY up, which I knew they would be because I could feel it working. My fever is gone, and I'm still taking the antibiotics, but don't need the percoset anymore. Although I will save them for next time I do the Neupogen shots!
So, as always, God has worked things out for me again! Everytime I needed to feel good for a holiday or special event, God has worked out my chemo schedule for me. Its been just amazing. No coincidences here folks! Its all God!!
Hope everyone has a WONDERFUL weekend!
Love,
Tina
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Round 5,last day of my 2 week cycle
Had a busy day, with no afternoon down time, so I am very tired right now. I'll go to bed soon, but don't want to go too early or I might not sleep all night.
Alyssa and I looked at a few apartments in one building, then had lunch with Rich. Later in the afternoon Rich's dad and sister came over and Rachel brought Brennan over so they could hold him for the first time.
My chemo appt. got changed to an earlier time (ugh!), so we have to join the morning rush hour and be at the hospital at 8:30. I'll get labs drawn and see my oncologist, and he'll decide whether or not I can have chemo. I'm very curious to see what my blood counts are.
As far as side effects on this last day--just the usual cold sensitivity, although I did manage to drink my melted Wild Berry smoothie! Tiredness and weakness are ever present these days, and esp. this week with my low blood counts.
So, we'll see what tomorrow brings!
Take care everyone!
Love,
Tina
Alyssa and I looked at a few apartments in one building, then had lunch with Rich. Later in the afternoon Rich's dad and sister came over and Rachel brought Brennan over so they could hold him for the first time.
My chemo appt. got changed to an earlier time (ugh!), so we have to join the morning rush hour and be at the hospital at 8:30. I'll get labs drawn and see my oncologist, and he'll decide whether or not I can have chemo. I'm very curious to see what my blood counts are.
As far as side effects on this last day--just the usual cold sensitivity, although I did manage to drink my melted Wild Berry smoothie! Tiredness and weakness are ever present these days, and esp. this week with my low blood counts.
So, we'll see what tomorrow brings!
Take care everyone!
Love,
Tina
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Round 5, Day 13-Wed.
I'm doing ok today. Taking my antibiotics and pain meds. These Neupogen shots are working REALLY well this time, and that means I have alot of bone pain. Especially my spine. The pain meds help, but when they wear off it hurts alot. That's how I know its time to take more. :)
I'm a little stuffed up--hope it doesn't turn into anything. Its been so dry at night that I wake up with a sore throat and bloody nose. I'm going to put a pan of water on the floor heat register and see if that helps.
I'm still worried about my platelets and am trying not to hurt myself! I can hardly wait until Friday to see what they are and what the doc says.
Usually by this point in my cycle I can eat cold cereal for breakfast, but altho I've had it the last 2 mornings, it doesn't taste good, and its still too cold. I'll go back to oatmeal tomorrow! I should try malto meal again--I think I used to like it. Anyways, the cold sensitivity doesn't let up much at all anymore. I can drink slightly cool things. I still want to try a smoothie tomorrow! If I let it melt, and take small sips, I can usually drink it.
Tomorrow Alyssa and I are going to look at another apartment, and then have lunch with Rich. I've been home taking it easy the last few days, so I'm ready to get out a little. I just have to be careful not to bump into anything :) And I use a lot of hand sanitizer and wipes! In the afternoon Rachel is going to bring Brennan over so my mom and Rich's dad can meet him and hold him.
Its been frustrating this week, because this is my small window of time to get things done. If I have chemo on Friday I won't be getting anything done next week. And then there's the stress of having such low blood counts. This chemo crap nearly kills you in order to save you!
When I see the doc on Friday I'm going to make sure we make some sort of plan for December. I need to know when I'll have chemo. He was going to let me skip the week before Christmas, so I want to look at the calendar with him and figure it all out--tentatively of course. Boy I can't wait until this is all over!!
I always plan to make short little posts, but apparently that's not possible for me :P
Thanks for hanging in there and making it to the end!
Love to all!!
Tina
I'm a little stuffed up--hope it doesn't turn into anything. Its been so dry at night that I wake up with a sore throat and bloody nose. I'm going to put a pan of water on the floor heat register and see if that helps.
I'm still worried about my platelets and am trying not to hurt myself! I can hardly wait until Friday to see what they are and what the doc says.
Usually by this point in my cycle I can eat cold cereal for breakfast, but altho I've had it the last 2 mornings, it doesn't taste good, and its still too cold. I'll go back to oatmeal tomorrow! I should try malto meal again--I think I used to like it. Anyways, the cold sensitivity doesn't let up much at all anymore. I can drink slightly cool things. I still want to try a smoothie tomorrow! If I let it melt, and take small sips, I can usually drink it.
Tomorrow Alyssa and I are going to look at another apartment, and then have lunch with Rich. I've been home taking it easy the last few days, so I'm ready to get out a little. I just have to be careful not to bump into anything :) And I use a lot of hand sanitizer and wipes! In the afternoon Rachel is going to bring Brennan over so my mom and Rich's dad can meet him and hold him.
Its been frustrating this week, because this is my small window of time to get things done. If I have chemo on Friday I won't be getting anything done next week. And then there's the stress of having such low blood counts. This chemo crap nearly kills you in order to save you!
When I see the doc on Friday I'm going to make sure we make some sort of plan for December. I need to know when I'll have chemo. He was going to let me skip the week before Christmas, so I want to look at the calendar with him and figure it all out--tentatively of course. Boy I can't wait until this is all over!!
I always plan to make short little posts, but apparently that's not possible for me :P
Thanks for hanging in there and making it to the end!
Love to all!!
Tina
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Round 5, Day 12--Tuesday
Wow. I just saw my blood test results from yesterday and am a little freaked out. My neutrophils (the white blood cells I take the shots for) are down to .1. Last time I had chemo they were .7, and remember I said the nurse was surprised the doc was letting me get chemo? She even went and asked him to make sure because they don't usually do it when it gets that low. Wonder what happens when you run out of neutrophils? The good news is I can feel the back pain from the shot I got yesterday, so I know its working to build them back up. I have 2 more shots to do.
The other # that worries me is my platelets. 150 is the bottom of the range and I'm down to 51. Last time I was 103. I have a few random bruises on my body--bleeding is a worry with platelets that low. They are what stops the bleeding.
My hemoglobin also went down to 9.6. Its been in the 10 range. Supposed to be 12-16, but mine hasn't been normal since before my surgery in Feb.
I don't remember how low the doc said he lets the platelets get to before he won't allow chemo. There is nothing they do to build them up, just time off of chemo.
So, there is a chance I won't be able to do chemo this Friday. Usually that is sort of a bummer, but with numbers like this I will be relieved if he postpones it!
I still have a bit of a fever, and am taking percoset both for "bottom" pain and my bone pain. Had a bad headache overnight that the percoset didn't touch, but it went away this morning when I got up.
Any advice or similar stories from other's that have been through this??
I guess I'll stay inside and wrap myself in bubble wrap so I don't get hurt :)
Hope everyone is having a great day!
Love,
Tina
The other # that worries me is my platelets. 150 is the bottom of the range and I'm down to 51. Last time I was 103. I have a few random bruises on my body--bleeding is a worry with platelets that low. They are what stops the bleeding.
My hemoglobin also went down to 9.6. Its been in the 10 range. Supposed to be 12-16, but mine hasn't been normal since before my surgery in Feb.
I don't remember how low the doc said he lets the platelets get to before he won't allow chemo. There is nothing they do to build them up, just time off of chemo.
So, there is a chance I won't be able to do chemo this Friday. Usually that is sort of a bummer, but with numbers like this I will be relieved if he postpones it!
I still have a bit of a fever, and am taking percoset both for "bottom" pain and my bone pain. Had a bad headache overnight that the percoset didn't touch, but it went away this morning when I got up.
Any advice or similar stories from other's that have been through this??
I guess I'll stay inside and wrap myself in bubble wrap so I don't get hurt :)
Hope everyone is having a great day!
Love,
Tina
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