I started another fever again, but so far it has been low grade. I was here by myself and called my step dad that I may need him and told him what was going on. As always, he was there and willing to go then if I wanted to but I wanted to wait until the magic 101.5. I don't want to go if it is not 100% necessary. Denise got back home and I stayed up and ate some pudding and waited it out. It went back to normal but the sweating and shaking continued.
Denise awoke me at about 1:05am. She could hear me "mouth breathing" from the Living Room. My throat felt like it was closing completely off and my tongue was sticking to it, almost like I was swallowing it. We checked the temperature, normal. With enough water it began to go back... that and coughing. Then I started doing something I usually only have happen in the day, shaking like I was freezing and my hands became numb. If I get under the cover during this I sweat. I've only had these episodes since the 4th Chemo treatment. This usually lasts about 20 minutes to an hour. The fever is usual but the little episodes aren't... just not this time of day (or night). During the day I lay still and they eventually go away.
I'm glad Denise heard and woke me up though... this weird throat closing part hasn't happened since I was in the hospital. We try to deduce what is what, no conclusions so far but she thinks it is one of the many possible side effects of one of the chemo drugs that she read somewhere. maybe they may have even mentioned it in the hospital. I debated on placing this up but w both agreed that if I am going to record this stuff, it should be one of the things that someone else might have an answer for or someone going through this should know. I don't freak out as bad if I see someone else had something I'm experiencing.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
12-24 Thursday Christmas Eve
I woke up as usual this morning early, about 7am. Done my usual one cough of puss and blood and felt pretty decent. Now that I put a new filter in the cool mist humidifier and the warm mist humidifier ran all night, not nearly as painful or dry in the throat area. I brushed my teeth. I do that several times a day and even with that it has taken it's toll on my gums, even my bridges are beginning to loosen. The tooth I broke yesterday is still hanging on and I am pretty sure it is alive because there is some pain coming from it. Now I find it funny that I am afraid of the pain after going through this so far, but God help me I am. I guess I'm just so tired of hurting. I've got the preps.
Me and Denise finished our Christmas shopping today. Not exactly in the conventional way, but we got it done right up until the last present, her cell phone went dead. It still turned out good. She knew what she wanted to get her family and I shopped online at local stores telling her what I was looking at. I'm still neutropenic, that is the word I have probably misspelled many times, lol. I'm not sure since I left the hospital how mine is right now, but I will assume since I feel better, better. I can write this now since Denise has already got it, but that is the way I got her present. It wasn't the exact watch I was looking at, but it was one of the two. Me and Annie worked like that yesterday as a team to get Denise's and Beulah's, plus the new filter for the humidifier. It, in spite of the slight difference on 1 item worked so well that me and Denise done it that way.
My hat's off to Denise. She has done everything and has done it so great. She is reading this right now and said she didn't see me in that car today, where'd the we come from, lol. Then again... it was my brainstorm to do it like this, lol.
One thing I didn't put yesterday was that I tried some of the Blue Emu oil throughout the day. It lasts longer, burns about the same on the application, yet I don't know if it heals the same. We are low on the radiation creme and I think the only place to get it is at the radiologist's office, so I thought it worth a try. I had read some pretty good comments on a throat radiation board about it and a couple of other things. When my bath is done tonight Denise will clean and dress my throat with the radiation creme. I'm a bit worried still about it being ready by Monday but it seems to be healing fast, just hope it is fast enough.
No Morphine so far today, the pain patch have kept it under control. Before the bath though I'll take a 15 mg and by the time I'm done it should have kicked in. That is less than 1/2 we used at the hospital and while the healing is responsible mostly for the drop, there is still a lot of pain associated with the treatment. I don't like the effects at 15 and definitely don't at a higher dose, I can take the 10-15 minutes of pain better. Plus with higher dose I get those blank moments or crazy thoughts and moments, even afterward not knowing what I said or was saying in the middle of a sentence. I call them brain farts, lol.
I woke up and kept my 197 lbs! No loss last night. Today I have ate 4 sugar cookies, 2 Ensures, and I'm on my 4th Coke. I also ate 1/2 Pimento sandwich and 1/2 a Chicken Salad sandwich. If I can stay awake I'll add to that so maybe I can slowly turn this stuff around. The hardest thing to do is drink the Coke, I hate then taste of soft drinks. I know that can't last though as with 17-18 more treatments left my throat will become too raw again. My preference these days is water and some tea.
Last few day a weird thing that is getting more frequent is taking place. I get those fast, out of nowhere tired spells. I couldn't fight them off for a long time but as chemo went farther away I could, and still can. Now a strange muscle jerk occurs usually in my arms, hands, feet, or neck. The longer I fight the fatigue the worse they get and I kinda like dose off for a second, maybe zone out is a better term. I've decided to lay still and not fight them too much. It isn't painful... just weird. I could have probably gotten more eaten today if I could stay awake. If the fatigue hits with a chill, when I lay down I go back out like a light and unless I do one of those muscle jerks, I'm asleep. One of my cousins came to visit and one of my friends and both times I was out of it. Such a pretty day too, not that I could do anything, it's just nice to look out. I've spoken with both BB and Andy and they understood. Thanks guys.
I'll probably blog tomorrow since I can't be around everybody. It sounds kind of sad in a way because it is one of the few times we get together. Then again... it could have been worse. Maybe next year. All thosen who are reading this. I wish you a Merry Christmas.
Me and Denise finished our Christmas shopping today. Not exactly in the conventional way, but we got it done right up until the last present, her cell phone went dead. It still turned out good. She knew what she wanted to get her family and I shopped online at local stores telling her what I was looking at. I'm still neutropenic, that is the word I have probably misspelled many times, lol. I'm not sure since I left the hospital how mine is right now, but I will assume since I feel better, better. I can write this now since Denise has already got it, but that is the way I got her present. It wasn't the exact watch I was looking at, but it was one of the two. Me and Annie worked like that yesterday as a team to get Denise's and Beulah's, plus the new filter for the humidifier. It, in spite of the slight difference on 1 item worked so well that me and Denise done it that way.
My hat's off to Denise. She has done everything and has done it so great. She is reading this right now and said she didn't see me in that car today, where'd the we come from, lol. Then again... it was my brainstorm to do it like this, lol.
One thing I didn't put yesterday was that I tried some of the Blue Emu oil throughout the day. It lasts longer, burns about the same on the application, yet I don't know if it heals the same. We are low on the radiation creme and I think the only place to get it is at the radiologist's office, so I thought it worth a try. I had read some pretty good comments on a throat radiation board about it and a couple of other things. When my bath is done tonight Denise will clean and dress my throat with the radiation creme. I'm a bit worried still about it being ready by Monday but it seems to be healing fast, just hope it is fast enough.
No Morphine so far today, the pain patch have kept it under control. Before the bath though I'll take a 15 mg and by the time I'm done it should have kicked in. That is less than 1/2 we used at the hospital and while the healing is responsible mostly for the drop, there is still a lot of pain associated with the treatment. I don't like the effects at 15 and definitely don't at a higher dose, I can take the 10-15 minutes of pain better. Plus with higher dose I get those blank moments or crazy thoughts and moments, even afterward not knowing what I said or was saying in the middle of a sentence. I call them brain farts, lol.
I woke up and kept my 197 lbs! No loss last night. Today I have ate 4 sugar cookies, 2 Ensures, and I'm on my 4th Coke. I also ate 1/2 Pimento sandwich and 1/2 a Chicken Salad sandwich. If I can stay awake I'll add to that so maybe I can slowly turn this stuff around. The hardest thing to do is drink the Coke, I hate then taste of soft drinks. I know that can't last though as with 17-18 more treatments left my throat will become too raw again. My preference these days is water and some tea.
Last few day a weird thing that is getting more frequent is taking place. I get those fast, out of nowhere tired spells. I couldn't fight them off for a long time but as chemo went farther away I could, and still can. Now a strange muscle jerk occurs usually in my arms, hands, feet, or neck. The longer I fight the fatigue the worse they get and I kinda like dose off for a second, maybe zone out is a better term. I've decided to lay still and not fight them too much. It isn't painful... just weird. I could have probably gotten more eaten today if I could stay awake. If the fatigue hits with a chill, when I lay down I go back out like a light and unless I do one of those muscle jerks, I'm asleep. One of my cousins came to visit and one of my friends and both times I was out of it. Such a pretty day too, not that I could do anything, it's just nice to look out. I've spoken with both BB and Andy and they understood. Thanks guys.
I'll probably blog tomorrow since I can't be around everybody. It sounds kind of sad in a way because it is one of the few times we get together. Then again... it could have been worse. Maybe next year. All thosen who are reading this. I wish you a Merry Christmas.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
12-23- Wednesday
The humidified stopped up sometime last night and when I awoke this morning, my neck was stiff from the dryness and extremely painful. The first thing I done was head and take 25 mg Morphine. It seemed like forever that it took the stuff to kick in.
My body looks kind of reptilian from all the scabs formed where my body is healing from the effects of the Taxotere. Little pain that i can tell from it, some of it still burns a bit and some of it itches. At least it's healing. The swelling in my fingers has almost went away, instead of being red, more pinkish now.
I was eating a Hardees Crispy Chicken and broke a tooth that had decay under the crown. It hasn't broken off completely yet primarily because I haven't eaten anything. I tried an Omelet Denise fixed and while it was soft, the crown still rocks. I'm not sure if it had a root canal or not, I'm guessing not though since I can feel a small portion of discomfort. After I weighed, I'm now down to 197 lbs, so not eating is not an option. I called my dentist office and they are closed until Jan 4th. I talked with mom and she is going to call her dentist tomorrow and see if he is open. The inevitable breaking off made me ask my cousin and brother how they felt when theirs broke off and what they did. While Bill felt no pain when his teeth broke off, Mark was in extreme pain. Mark said that he covered his in sugarless gum until he could get to the dentist to keep air from getting to the exposed nerve. that lead me to search a bit and read and keeping the nerve from air, extreme hot, or extreme cold will cease of at least lessen the pain. Denise went to the store and bought some temporary dental filling for me and that will be my form of sugarless gum. I did notice that my gums are shot. Even the bridges seem loose.
I tried and can once again drink Coke, still haven't tried Dr Pepper. I just can't forget the horrible taste. I'll bet that is a statement nobody thought they would ever hear me say, lol. I think I'll just go back to Tea. Ensure has a good flavor but the sodium or something in it still burns my throat, plus it thickens my mucus secretions.
Bowel movement have once again returned, maybe even a bit loose. I don't know what kind of pain medicine is in this patch I wear but even with the Morphine as needed doesn't seem to cause me constipation. Nothing like the Lortab or Endocet did.
Today was a stressful day. Long unrelated sort in itself. I will say this though. If you are reading this blog and have a loved one going through this or an employee, be as stress-less as possible. Many things that once were important just aren't, especially about work. Not being able to do anything to help or hearing what may seem like important pertaining to office happenings and not being able to do anything about it don't help. Somehow taking a chance to run in and do a task that can be done or should be or could be done by someone else and risking infection, no matter how much money is involved, is just... well, let's leave it at that.
I weighed in tonight at 197. I'd say that if I go much lower it will be feeding tube time. Denise says my muscles in my arms and legs are gone and my face looks shrunken in. What I have lost is some fat but mostly muscle. If I can I would like to get back to 200 lbs and hold there until this is over. I am weak outside and I'd say much more stress and I'll be weak inside. Days like today make me doubt what I will make it through it.
On the bright side... another good, long, hot, soaking bath. Plus I was able to get two people presents and a camper shell for my truck bought. Thanks to Annie and Bill for their help.
My body looks kind of reptilian from all the scabs formed where my body is healing from the effects of the Taxotere. Little pain that i can tell from it, some of it still burns a bit and some of it itches. At least it's healing. The swelling in my fingers has almost went away, instead of being red, more pinkish now.
I was eating a Hardees Crispy Chicken and broke a tooth that had decay under the crown. It hasn't broken off completely yet primarily because I haven't eaten anything. I tried an Omelet Denise fixed and while it was soft, the crown still rocks. I'm not sure if it had a root canal or not, I'm guessing not though since I can feel a small portion of discomfort. After I weighed, I'm now down to 197 lbs, so not eating is not an option. I called my dentist office and they are closed until Jan 4th. I talked with mom and she is going to call her dentist tomorrow and see if he is open. The inevitable breaking off made me ask my cousin and brother how they felt when theirs broke off and what they did. While Bill felt no pain when his teeth broke off, Mark was in extreme pain. Mark said that he covered his in sugarless gum until he could get to the dentist to keep air from getting to the exposed nerve. that lead me to search a bit and read and keeping the nerve from air, extreme hot, or extreme cold will cease of at least lessen the pain. Denise went to the store and bought some temporary dental filling for me and that will be my form of sugarless gum. I did notice that my gums are shot. Even the bridges seem loose.
I tried and can once again drink Coke, still haven't tried Dr Pepper. I just can't forget the horrible taste. I'll bet that is a statement nobody thought they would ever hear me say, lol. I think I'll just go back to Tea. Ensure has a good flavor but the sodium or something in it still burns my throat, plus it thickens my mucus secretions.
Bowel movement have once again returned, maybe even a bit loose. I don't know what kind of pain medicine is in this patch I wear but even with the Morphine as needed doesn't seem to cause me constipation. Nothing like the Lortab or Endocet did.
Today was a stressful day. Long unrelated sort in itself. I will say this though. If you are reading this blog and have a loved one going through this or an employee, be as stress-less as possible. Many things that once were important just aren't, especially about work. Not being able to do anything to help or hearing what may seem like important pertaining to office happenings and not being able to do anything about it don't help. Somehow taking a chance to run in and do a task that can be done or should be or could be done by someone else and risking infection, no matter how much money is involved, is just... well, let's leave it at that.
I weighed in tonight at 197. I'd say that if I go much lower it will be feeding tube time. Denise says my muscles in my arms and legs are gone and my face looks shrunken in. What I have lost is some fat but mostly muscle. If I can I would like to get back to 200 lbs and hold there until this is over. I am weak outside and I'd say much more stress and I'll be weak inside. Days like today make me doubt what I will make it through it.
On the bright side... another good, long, hot, soaking bath. Plus I was able to get two people presents and a camper shell for my truck bought. Thanks to Annie and Bill for their help.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Tuesday Follow-up
It's been a pretty decent day. ok... it has been great! I did learn another lesson though. For the first time in a while I filled the whirlpool tub up (left it turned off) and soaked. I soaked my neck as well. It felt sooooo goood. During the course of the day though I had decided that I was cutting back to the bare minimum on the Morphine, so it was pretty much out of my system. Now it is already past time (hour wise) to change the 3 day pain patch... forgot that too. When I got out and dried off I blotched my neck and put my PJs on. Went strolling through the house to see when Denise could clean and dress my neck, still feeling good but a breach of pain was slowly beginning to form as my neck got drier. So I use the liquid Morphine as the pain sped up. She is getting the stuff out and all the sudden it was like my neck blew into flames.
Even the sterile water/hydrogen peroxide soaked Gauze sponges burnt but brought a little relief.The didn't stop the pain but at least kept it from climbing, if indeed it could have climbed higher. The Radiation Lotion hurts when you put it on. For me, worse case scenario or best, the prepping is indeed painful but only precludes the real pain about to start when the lotion is applied. It can be one of the most painful things you will ever experience, and I've seen my share of pain. Heart attack, Gall Bladder stones, Shoulder surgery, Pancreastitus (can't spell that word). This rates right up there with the best.
Tonight I wonder. We start back Monday, how will I be able to go lotion free? Best I remember, you have to do this without lotion or it amplifies the effect. I am praying that it heals quicker and quicker each day. Denise wanted until after New Years but when Dr Green and I sat down the date on the 28th, we're expecting miracles, and so far God has bestowed plenty of them on us, so I have faith that another one is coming.
The Morphine has set in, the moisturizer effect of the lotion has taken effect, the new patch placed on, pain is barely there. My body is kinda rough feeling s the damage scabs over from the chemo. My arms and legs are quickly healing and apparently my back. I'm not sure if it will leave scars but I don't think I even had a modeling deal, lol. Well it's almost bedtime and despite a couple of bumps, it has been a great day. Bumps are ok, they teach us to enjoy the smooth pavement when it gets here.
Even the sterile water/hydrogen peroxide soaked Gauze sponges burnt but brought a little relief.The didn't stop the pain but at least kept it from climbing, if indeed it could have climbed higher. The Radiation Lotion hurts when you put it on. For me, worse case scenario or best, the prepping is indeed painful but only precludes the real pain about to start when the lotion is applied. It can be one of the most painful things you will ever experience, and I've seen my share of pain. Heart attack, Gall Bladder stones, Shoulder surgery, Pancreastitus (can't spell that word). This rates right up there with the best.
Tonight I wonder. We start back Monday, how will I be able to go lotion free? Best I remember, you have to do this without lotion or it amplifies the effect. I am praying that it heals quicker and quicker each day. Denise wanted until after New Years but when Dr Green and I sat down the date on the 28th, we're expecting miracles, and so far God has bestowed plenty of them on us, so I have faith that another one is coming.
The Morphine has set in, the moisturizer effect of the lotion has taken effect, the new patch placed on, pain is barely there. My body is kinda rough feeling s the damage scabs over from the chemo. My arms and legs are quickly healing and apparently my back. I'm not sure if it will leave scars but I don't think I even had a modeling deal, lol. Well it's almost bedtime and despite a couple of bumps, it has been a great day. Bumps are ok, they teach us to enjoy the smooth pavement when it gets here.
Tuesday 22nd
I slept pretty decent last night awaking only about 3 times briefly. I finally stayed awake about 6:30 and watched Denise as she went up the driveway to work. I had Annie get breakfast at Hardees. I paid, she went and got it, I think a good arrangement.
I know I've still a ways to go but we've made it this far, maybe it will get easier. I looked over my pills this morning and after a discussion with Denise last night, I've decided to leave off my blood pressure medicines. There were a couple of times at the hospital where I was drifting in and out, Denise and Charlie thought I was fighting sleep and I wasn't for sure what was happening. I'll be sitting or laying, maybe even standing, and all the sudden this blank feeling came over me and I was so tired I couldn't hold my eyes open yet when I close them to sleep, I became awake. It was like the switch to shut down was turned off then on again. Anyway, there were a few times where I got lucky and the nurse would come in to take my blood pressure and one of these episodes occurred. one time my blood pressure was 77 over 57 (or something like that). Once the top number was 87. There were a couple of other times I believe, but I don't remember the numbers. The nurse preforming the check would say that something didn't read right and recheck. As long as the episode wasn't in place, I read a perfect reading, or at last close to perfect. I think this Morphine must be, for whatever reason, causing these on/off switches.
Now if they are a long episode or a series of them strung together, I have no idea what I write and usually say. Like last night Denise asked me who cleaned and dressed my wounds the night she didn't stay. I told her I did by myself. She asked how and as I was explaining it to her I started one. Now I am laying there with my eyes closed like I usually do from the intense pain as she reapplies the radiation lotion and it goes from the normal darkness to looking as if I opened my eyes and was watching 3 guys on a white beach with a beautiful beach house in the background. White shears gentle blowing from the ocean breeze on the porch. One guy is watching the other two, standing between them and slightly back from them. The other two guys are making beautiful circles in the sand, making sure they are formed perfectly. My conversation fluently rolled straight into reflections what I thought they were doing. "We got all the white stuff off when we did it but the hardest thing was knowing where to start the circles because we weren't sure where they were." Denise said, " What in the Hell are you talking about?" Poof, back to reality I went and I said, "nothing". She kept asking what I was talking about and I finally resolved at telling the truth.
I was going to write about some of the side effects I've noticed. Morphine seems to have several. I've been up and down all morning. Not sure if they are related, but they seem to have developed at the same time. Like a twitch or a muscle jerk. I'll be sitting holding something, like the mouse for instance. Suddenly it's like I black out, usually one of my arms or hands jerk, something it may be other body parts. Then I am right back awake and alert. That may happen once of many times throughout the day. It is for that reason I have decided to quit driving until this is over. It only takes a second of blackout and a jerk to lose control of you've wrecked. It is a very real possibility. I'm hoping and praying that the pain level will go down enough to where the patch is the only thing I need.
Keeping a train of thought is extremely hard to do. My lips stay numb. It may be from the severe chemo reaction. Who knows. the last 2 fingers of my left hand are numb. Shortness of breath. Whatever this is I just pray that it isn't permanent.
I've ate a little both meals today but overall not really what would be considered enough. The food still tastes funny or bad, nothing really appealing. I looked and I am as of tomorrow 2 weeks out from the last Chemo so that should change little by little. That's part of the attractiveness of chemo, lol. I weighed myself last night and I am at the level I desired and prepared for, 200 lbs. I'll get worried if it gets below 195. With 17-18 more radiation treatments to go, it ain't lookin' so good. Plus i've got it a tad bit warm in my room, I'm sweating and so has everybody else who has come in here.
We spoke with a friend that is a P.A. about the blood pressure medicine and me skipping it and Deb says she thinks that it is a good idea. That was something I had thought about while I was on vacation after seeing the numbers while my vitals were being checked. I am having to drink more water without the IV fluids. I didn't realize just how helpful these things are. I would definitely recommend to anybody who does chemo to go back to the doctor or nurses at their chemo hut and ask for seconds if they feel like they need it. Dr Panella, Ruth, and all the ladies at the chemo hut kept telling me just to ask. I went back after throwing up and got more IV medicine to combat that, later just to rehydrate. I'm not sure if all Oncologists offer this, but Panella and the others at UT Cancer Center do. One has to remember that they are here to help and while I never trust usually, I trust them and the fact that they have my best interest at heart.
More later on. So far, so good.
I know I've still a ways to go but we've made it this far, maybe it will get easier. I looked over my pills this morning and after a discussion with Denise last night, I've decided to leave off my blood pressure medicines. There were a couple of times at the hospital where I was drifting in and out, Denise and Charlie thought I was fighting sleep and I wasn't for sure what was happening. I'll be sitting or laying, maybe even standing, and all the sudden this blank feeling came over me and I was so tired I couldn't hold my eyes open yet when I close them to sleep, I became awake. It was like the switch to shut down was turned off then on again. Anyway, there were a few times where I got lucky and the nurse would come in to take my blood pressure and one of these episodes occurred. one time my blood pressure was 77 over 57 (or something like that). Once the top number was 87. There were a couple of other times I believe, but I don't remember the numbers. The nurse preforming the check would say that something didn't read right and recheck. As long as the episode wasn't in place, I read a perfect reading, or at last close to perfect. I think this Morphine must be, for whatever reason, causing these on/off switches.
Now if they are a long episode or a series of them strung together, I have no idea what I write and usually say. Like last night Denise asked me who cleaned and dressed my wounds the night she didn't stay. I told her I did by myself. She asked how and as I was explaining it to her I started one. Now I am laying there with my eyes closed like I usually do from the intense pain as she reapplies the radiation lotion and it goes from the normal darkness to looking as if I opened my eyes and was watching 3 guys on a white beach with a beautiful beach house in the background. White shears gentle blowing from the ocean breeze on the porch. One guy is watching the other two, standing between them and slightly back from them. The other two guys are making beautiful circles in the sand, making sure they are formed perfectly. My conversation fluently rolled straight into reflections what I thought they were doing. "We got all the white stuff off when we did it but the hardest thing was knowing where to start the circles because we weren't sure where they were." Denise said, " What in the Hell are you talking about?" Poof, back to reality I went and I said, "nothing". She kept asking what I was talking about and I finally resolved at telling the truth.
I was going to write about some of the side effects I've noticed. Morphine seems to have several. I've been up and down all morning. Not sure if they are related, but they seem to have developed at the same time. Like a twitch or a muscle jerk. I'll be sitting holding something, like the mouse for instance. Suddenly it's like I black out, usually one of my arms or hands jerk, something it may be other body parts. Then I am right back awake and alert. That may happen once of many times throughout the day. It is for that reason I have decided to quit driving until this is over. It only takes a second of blackout and a jerk to lose control of you've wrecked. It is a very real possibility. I'm hoping and praying that the pain level will go down enough to where the patch is the only thing I need.
Keeping a train of thought is extremely hard to do. My lips stay numb. It may be from the severe chemo reaction. Who knows. the last 2 fingers of my left hand are numb. Shortness of breath. Whatever this is I just pray that it isn't permanent.
I've ate a little both meals today but overall not really what would be considered enough. The food still tastes funny or bad, nothing really appealing. I looked and I am as of tomorrow 2 weeks out from the last Chemo so that should change little by little. That's part of the attractiveness of chemo, lol. I weighed myself last night and I am at the level I desired and prepared for, 200 lbs. I'll get worried if it gets below 195. With 17-18 more radiation treatments to go, it ain't lookin' so good. Plus i've got it a tad bit warm in my room, I'm sweating and so has everybody else who has come in here.
We spoke with a friend that is a P.A. about the blood pressure medicine and me skipping it and Deb says she thinks that it is a good idea. That was something I had thought about while I was on vacation after seeing the numbers while my vitals were being checked. I am having to drink more water without the IV fluids. I didn't realize just how helpful these things are. I would definitely recommend to anybody who does chemo to go back to the doctor or nurses at their chemo hut and ask for seconds if they feel like they need it. Dr Panella, Ruth, and all the ladies at the chemo hut kept telling me just to ask. I went back after throwing up and got more IV medicine to combat that, later just to rehydrate. I'm not sure if all Oncologists offer this, but Panella and the others at UT Cancer Center do. One has to remember that they are here to help and while I never trust usually, I trust them and the fact that they have my best interest at heart.
More later on. So far, so good.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Monday 21st - Evening
Well the clock ticked by and finally Panella came in. I tell you this is a busy man. Ever so often a nurse would knock and then as she saw the look on Charlie and my faces go from a big grin to a disappointing look, they began to get tickled. It pretty much became a joke to all of us. They knew we were excited thinking it was either Panella or Green and when we saw it wasn't, we'd drop the excitement. There was a good crew of nurses there again today. Ghost (think that's the name) movie with Patrick Swazyee and Demi Moore kept us a little more occupied. I was able to get another antibiotic we hadn't expect to get in and more fluids. Plus we ended up having some fun with oh no, just you again or surprise, it's just me. They really got a good crew there on the 12th floor. I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and hopefully not to see you again... unless we're shopping, lol. Seriously, thank you and Merry Christmas.
The lady who took me to Dr Green's did so in an unfamiliar approach. She wasn't sure which place I as going to and asked that I look at the rooms we passed by for familiarity. Suddenly we were in the midst of a hallway of the ladies I see at Radiology. I told her I know the ladies... this is home here. She left me and they put me in room C. In came Dr Green, looked me over and commented on the progress made, and the progress still lacked. Told me Merry Christmas and to be back Monday. Back to my room I went. They came in, gave me my medicines I requested when I got back, and pulled the INP from my arm.
I'm HOME!!! I love it. Charlie stayed with me and took the things to the truck and we came home. I was thinking morning and in reality we didn't pull into the driveway until 4:25pm, but I'm home none-the-less and I'm typing this on my home computer. We swung by the Honey Baked Place so he could get his order, then home we headed. Charlie dropped me off at the house and carried my stuff in and then took my prescriptions over to Minnis Drug to be filled, Denise will pick them up.
The lady who took me to Dr Green's did so in an unfamiliar approach. She wasn't sure which place I as going to and asked that I look at the rooms we passed by for familiarity. Suddenly we were in the midst of a hallway of the ladies I see at Radiology. I told her I know the ladies... this is home here. She left me and they put me in room C. In came Dr Green, looked me over and commented on the progress made, and the progress still lacked. Told me Merry Christmas and to be back Monday. Back to my room I went. They came in, gave me my medicines I requested when I got back, and pulled the INP from my arm.
I'm HOME!!! I love it. Charlie stayed with me and took the things to the truck and we came home. I was thinking morning and in reality we didn't pull into the driveway until 4:25pm, but I'm home none-the-less and I'm typing this on my home computer. We swung by the Honey Baked Place so he could get his order, then home we headed. Charlie dropped me off at the house and carried my stuff in and then took my prescriptions over to Minnis Drug to be filled, Denise will pick them up.
Monday 21st
I got up a little after 4am., I think Charlie was already up, lol, if not... he is now. My throat is all together, but that is normal. My blood pressure was perfect, temperature perfect, o/s perfect. The RN just left a bit ago and said my Neutafil (spelling) is 1.1 and the white blood cells is (Drum Roll Please) ........3.1. YEA!!!! That pretty much ensures that I get to go home.
A good sleep last night. Not a lot of sleep but what I got was quality sleep.I just can't wait too sleep in my own bed and eat my own munchies foods.That might be considered when working on people. We've had a changing of the shifts and the nurses seem nice. I had a lady from quality control visit. She was very nice but I couldn't help but wonder if she thought someone still having to stay here would actually complain knowing they aren't going anywhere.
Well, this is the third time I'm attempting this addition to todays' possible last post from the UT area.
A good sleep last night. Not a lot of sleep but what I got was quality sleep.I just can't wait too sleep in my own bed and eat my own munchies foods.That might be considered when working on people. We've had a changing of the shifts and the nurses seem nice. I had a lady from quality control visit. She was very nice but I couldn't help but wonder if she thought someone still having to stay here would actually complain knowing they aren't going anywhere.
Well, this is the third time I'm attempting this addition to todays' possible last post from the UT area.
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