repeating myself over and over again and that it sounds rather boring, also when at school I didn't pay attention in my typing class and only type about 1 word a minute. Okay enough of the excuses!
So, cycle 4 is now over and done with. The first treatment went ok with just the usual fatigue, some nausea and abdominal pain/ epigastric area. I was really dreading the 2nd part and every time I thought about it I felt sick, still do at times, it's like Pavlov's dog response. Anyway it was better than I expected with only the actual day of chemo being the worst, vomiting several times with horrible epigastric pain again, however the next few days were better with little N/V, and generally feeling not too bad. The white cells are staying high with the 2 different medications I take, neupogen and neulasta, the hemoglobin dropped again, but I have no doubt that it'll come back up by the time of my next cycle. I've been eating like a pig, (when I feel nauseated eating carbs seems to help, potatoes, bread, ice cream..etc) so I need to start watching as I don't want to gain too much weight. I also haven't done any exercise and am now totally sedentary at work and not walking the 2 miles at least that we do when working so that doesn't help much. I really would like to get enough energy back to go and run, exercise a little at least.
These next 4 cycles are now every 3 weeks, starting on the 11th. Drug names for those who are interested, are Adriamycin and cytoxan (lovely name ie. toxic), they've been around for years in the treatment of breast and other cancers. One of the most common side effects are nausea/vomiting (N/V ) just what I love... not. I think I can tolerate most things but I HATE N/V. They give pretty large doses of steroids to help with the side effects so hopefully it works. I'll let you know next time. Until then I am enjoying just feeling well. It's amazing how much we take feeling well and having energy for granted, how I would love to run another marathon right now!
Well Fiona is now back at school, 2 days in and she's already commenting on how she wishes it were summer again. It is going to be a difficult year with chemistry, geometry and her other subjects, so hopefully she's handle it, especially with her extra responsibilities at home when I am sick. She is also starting driving lessons at the end of the month, scary. I still think they need to change the driving age to 18 but that's an ER nurse talking. The whole idea of her in a car freaks me out, so I am not doing any of the teaching, at least for the moment anyway. She's off to her school dance tonight and looking to check out all the guys or hotties as she calls them, god am I old!
Ok bloggers that's enough for tonight. Hope you are all well, till next time.
5 comments:
Hi Karen! Thank you for continuing to write and for updating us. Its always nice to hear (oopsie! I meant read) about how you're doing. Glad to hear you're feeling pretty good right now. Thanxs for also updating us on Fiona. So if you're not teaching her how to drive, will Adam teach her, in his 'work car?' Hee hee. Take care, Karen! And please tell Fiona I said hi.
Thanks, friend!
It was so nice to see you today & looking forward to chatting more tomorrow...especially about Fiona's dance! Living vicariously, you know...
:)
Linda.
Hi Karen,
It's me MEM. Happy to see you outside of the dungeons and at home writing. I see Kat has quite a sense of humor. Yes teenagers behind the wheels of cars is a very frightening prospect BUT what can you do. They need the vehicles of independence and this is just one more along that trajectory. I am sure that it is just as scary to Fiona. A NOTE TO FIONA. The one thing that is great about all those top level school courses (Geometry, Chemistry etc) is that they keep you busy and intellectualizing! Therefore you have less time to worry, play around and fantasize about young men (i.e. Hotties). What do you ask is so good about that? It builds character! Ha! Ha! A NOTE TO KAREN. So you are in a mood to run a marathon you say. Why don't you try the upcoming Long Beach Marathon (Oct 12?) Here me out. You are well aware that LBMMC has to ( I mean ...has the pleasure of staffing the medical personnel resource on-site)why don't you partake in that activity by using one of our notorious ( I mean...convienent) gas powered carts. You can run in and out of the cart as you make deliveries and that would be techically running in the marathon. You would provide a needed service, shave off any added pounds from the eating and fulfill your longing to run again. Take the matter under consideration and get back to the committee as soon as you can. P.S. If the information on this blog is publicized or otherwise brought into question. I will disavow any knowledge of participating in this internet forum. Take Care Mem
Hi: Karen
Well life is full of surprises, but you having Fiona have been a blessing.
I can not explain how I feel with the things that you are going through.
I still am praying for you and my brother. The God I know is very merciful
I know that you as well as my brother will be fine at the end. I can not give
Any chance to doubt of my God. Marian is here from Pitt. She is going to try to contact you to see if she is able to at least see you. She have problems of her owns, but like the doctor told "do not stop living".
Love to you and Fiona : Yaya and Edna
Hi Karen,
It's me MEM. You look quite Chilly yesterday. You said you were sick but that place was unusually cold yesterday. I did not have time to talk plus I do not feel comfortable talking around people who like to stare. Sorry but that is just me. I went up to see you later but the door was closed and no one responded. The story of my life (HA! HA! well sometimes it is). Anyway, from this last posting I can see that you had another round on 9/11/08 (an infamous day). I was happy to see you eating some soup. I know you are concern about weight gain but I would say that this is the least of your concerns right now. I am still set on you coming out when you are feeling well and answering that radio some day. I keep telling you the door can be left closed and Dispo can come in and pick up the runs. We could also use the steno to call the TL desk and give the info to be input or you could put it in yourself in the radio room and let the TL or DIspo know and they could add in the badge. It would definitely break up the dull drums of being locked in an office all day. Plus we could go by and make funny faces at you all day.
Hi Fiona, you should be in the full swing of school by now. I hope all is going well. Remember what I told you about all those wonderful classes and about vices of young males. It will serve you well in the future.
Bye 4 now
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