Chemo#3

While I was once afraid to start chemo, I have now finished 3 treatments. I guess you could call me an old pro. However, it does not get any easier as the treatements progress. I came home feeling very nauseated. So after taking 2 different medications for it that did not work, I had to resort to the ATIVAN which made me very drowsy. But at least I was able to nap. Janet came over and brought a meal from Vicky. We had a nice talk and the girls loved the rainbow slinkys she brought them. Thank you both Janet and Vicky.

I am really tired right now so I will post more tomorrow. I also need to update you on my Thursday appointment.

The Good Days

I am enjoying and thankful for my good days while they last. My hair continues to disappear but again, I am thankful that I still have some. It is thining but most can't notice. Work was good this week too. I am up late because grades were due by 10pm and I just finished with about 5 minutes to spare. :-)

Rosa brought us dinner tonight - thank you! I am not looking forward to Friday but I am looking forward to the 3-day weekend. Mina's birthday is on Monday (she turns 5) so we will hopefully be able to get out and do something with her if I am feeling well enough.

I have an appointment tomorrow with my oncologist so I will update you all with all the info that he gives me. Goodnight!!!!

Another GREAT day & a LIST of things that can help us!

Again, no aches-pains-weird feelings to report. This is a good thing. Just continued hair loss. A ton more in the shower this morning. Oh well, I am gonna fight for what remains until it becomes apparent that I have lost the hair battle.

If you want to help here are some things that would help us out a lot during my chemo days and the week that follows. Those are the days that have been the hardest for me during my last 2 chemos.
•help with the dishes which can pile up from one day to the next
•dinners. On days that I am weak and in pain it would be very helpful to have dinner taken care of. Our oven does not work so things that we usually eat are: pizza (pepperoni or cheese), mexican food, pasta dishes, chicken dishes, garden salad, Chinese dishes such as beef & broc, low mein noodles, house chicken, soups, and I am sure there are other things that are escaping my mind right now.

Yesterday Kerry brought me a warmable heat sack. You put it in the micro and place it where there is discomfort. Thank you! Hopefully I won’t need it too much next week but if I do I am sure that it will help.

I feel GREAT today (knock on wood) :-)

I feel normal which is such a GREAT feeling. I thought this day would never get here. I had a great nights sleep and it was a great day that followed. I had plently of energy, no aches or pains, no issues, and I am so greatful for that. I have the last of my Neupogen shots today and hopefully this one won't give me pain.

This morning Maryam came over and helped me get the girls ready for school. She did Bella's hair, helped me pack their lunches, and did all of the dishes (and there were a BUNCH of them). THANK YOU, MARYAM!!! You being here was a big help. Thank you for insisting on coming over because we really loved having you.

My hair still continues to fall. A ton (almost that much literally) came out this morning in the shower and after as I combed my hair. Luckily you can't tell. At least I don't think you can. I am lucky that it is not coming out in chunks which is what happens to some people. Mine is not coming out in chunks, but shedding at a rate that seems like 500% more than normal. If it continues this way I am not sure how much I will have left by next week.

Tomorrow I will post a list of things that would be helpful for us during my rough chemo weeks. I have chemo on Friday, until then I will take every feeling normal moment and pretend all of last week was a bad nightmare.

Bone Pain?

Yesterday Ramon gave me my 4th shot of Neupogen (1 more remaining) and I was awaken at around 11pm with this weird sensation in my pelvic bone (lower back). I wouldn't call it pain but I think it was associated with the shot. Well, maybe dull pain. I was very uncomfortable and unable to find a comfortable position to fall back asleep in. They say that if you are going to feel the effects of the shot it usually starts in your flat bones and the pelvis is the biggest of the flat bones. I just knew that's what it was. I took 2 Tylenol PM's and strapped the warning pad to my lower back and slept like a baby the rest of the night. Thank goodness! I don't think I could've handled another bad sleep night.

Otherwise there was not much to post about for yesterday. Chemo#3 is in 5 days. I hope to have a GOOD 5 days before I begin to feel all my symptoms again. Having a good week is so important, mentally and physically, so that you can build up the stamina to go through the process all over again.

Cheers! :-)