Wednesday, July 17 - The past week has been a bit of a challenge for me. Last Wednesday after chemo I was feeling fine. That evening I had broken out in a cold sweat and had stomach cramps. I had some bowel issues and went to bed. Thursday and Friday I felt pretty good other than being fatigued and a little numbness in my right toes and left fingers. Saturday and Sunday I had bowel issues, nausea and was just plain tired. I didn't do much and felt more like myself by Tuesday. I was a little frustrated at feeling so bad for almost a whole week as this is supposed to be easier than the AC I was on before.
On Wednesday, Connie picked me up for chemo and we headed in. She brought me a cute hat that I wore and had lots of compliments in the chemo room. Charlene, my nurse was back after being out for 2 months. She accessed my port and and took my blood to check my WBC. The result was a 1.3 with the range being 4 - 9. Pretty low. They took a look at my ANC (Absolute Neutrophil Count) and it was only .16 or 160. They want you to be at least 1,000. These are the fighter white blood cells. They also look at the immature white blood cells which were also very low. Therefore, Charlene went to talk to Dr. Coplin who was with a patient. So after about a half hour Dr. Coplin said to give me a Neulasta Injection which stimulates the white blood cells to grow. If you remember, I had this injection each time after my last chemo sessions. Since I am supposed to go weekly, this particular injection isn't used as it takes about a week for those white blood cells to grow.
The reason she did it this time is because I will be going on vacation for a week and won't have my next infusion until August. Otherwise I would have probably received an injection 2 - 3 times a week called Neupogen which also stimulates the wbc but is faster acting.
I was disappointed but this probably happened so I would be feeling good for vacation just as it happened for the wedding in June. Hopefully when I start chemo up again in August my white blood cells will start cooperating a little better and I can move along with these treatments and be done. My hope is still to be finished with chemo and radiation by Christmas. We'll see!!!!
Chemo #3 of 12 and PT report
Thursday, July 11 - My chemo buddy for the day was my good friend Jo Noelker. She picked me up on a rainy Wednesday and we headed in. After a quick run through the boutique we signed in and headed to the chemo room.
I had a nurse (Noreen) that was called over from Mercy Creve Coeur Oncology floor as they were short handed. Noreen accessed my port, took the blood to check my white blood count and asked me the range of questions about being safe, what meds I'm on and when I last took them blah, blah, blah. I did have some numbness after the last time in my right toes. I was told to keep an eye on it and if necessary they would make adjustments to the meds. I also had them look at the blister that broke and bled from my shoes at the wedding. They said it wasn't infected and to keep it uncovered as much as possible and continue using the antibiotic ointment. My hands and feet are also very red, but no pain or peeling.
Results of blood test were WBC 3.2 with range being 4 - 9.8. Of course, this is under but remember, we are really looking at the ANC (Absolute Neutrophil Count) which was 1.56 or 1560. They want that number to be at least 1000. So I passed and she got my pre-meds ready to go. I got Zofran and Emend for nausea, Pepcid for the inflammation component, Decadron - a steriod, Benadryl for allergic reaction and then the Taxol. It was interesting to me how she gowned up and put on the rubber gloves. This medicine is just poison and it's entering my body.
Everything went as usual. Jo and I stopped by K-mart on the way home and then to Steak N Shake for a late lunch around 3:30. The happy hour shake special was going on, so of course we had to indulge. After we placed our order, the waitress told us that the man that sat behind us gave her a $20 bill before he left to cover our lunch. What an awesome feeling that was.
That evening I had some popcorn cause I was pretty full from lunch and shake. Soon afterward I broke out into a cold sweat and started having stomach cramps. I'm not sure if this was a chemo reaction or a bowel reaction. Regardless, it was very uncomfortable and my shirt & head was soaked from sweating. It passed and I went to bed soon afterward. Today I just feel tired.
I did go to physical therapy today. She did measurements on me again. They were up a little from last week, but remember, I had a 2 1/2 week break from chemo and that could have been why they were way down last week. My range of motion is good though and I was released. YAY! I just need to be mindful of any swelling and let them know right away.
So all in all a good report this week. Thanks Jo for taking me and passing the time quickly with all the conversation that was non-stop!
I am now in single digit treatments for Taxol which makes me happy! 9 more to go. Keep those good thoughts and prayers going my friends and family - it really helps!
Back To The Grind
Wednesday, July 3 - Since I had 2 1/2 weeks off from chemo, my taste came back, my energy level was up and I was excited to get to Joplin. My sciatica and hip pain was acting up, so I called the chemo nurses and was told to do a prednisone taper. It worked. Didn't think Thursday would ever get here. Dane & I spent the afternoon with Brayden while Ann went to K.C. for her party with the girlfriends.
I think the wedding was a great success. Ann & her sisters Addi, Emme and Heidi as well as her mom, Denise, did an awesome job with the decorations, food - everything. Well done girls! The reception was a blast. The DJ - Complete kept the crowd engaged, played games and didn't take one break. There were a lot of dancing fools out there, myself included.
Now for my report - I went to physical therapy on Tuesday and had an excellent report. My range of motion is almost back to normal. I still have some swelling, but it is down much more than when I was last there, so more good news. I will go back again next week to make sure it stays down and then hopefully be released unless I have any signs of the Lymphedema.
Today I met with Dr. Coplin, Oncologist, and she said to continue on our course of weekly Taxol. If my WBC (white blood cells) is down again they will give me an injection of Neupogen to stimulate the growth of WBC. I will meet with her again before week 6 of chemo.
So now I'm off to the chemotherapy room where they accessed the port and took the blood sample. More good news. My WBC was 6.8 with the range being 4.0 - 9.8. My red blood cells value was also up (they tell me that red wine I drank at the wedding didn't really affect those, HA). My platelets were 279 with normal range of 140 - 350. And that name that eluded me in my last post about the WBC to fight off infection that needed to be at least 1000 and mine was 700 is called ANC (Absolute Neutrophil Count). More good news - mine was 5000. Yay for me! This means I was able to complete Chemo #2 and will not have to get an injection. We will take that week by week.
So Charli (my nurse) premedicated me with:
Decadron - Steriod
Pepcid - Inflammation Component
Emend - Nausea
Benadryl - Allergic reaction preventative for Taxol
Taxol
All went well, I took about an hour nap after the Benadryl, was de-accessed and sent on my way.
Keep your best wishes, close to your heart and watch what happens”
― Tony DeLiso, Legacy: The Power Within
I think the wedding was a great success. Ann & her sisters Addi, Emme and Heidi as well as her mom, Denise, did an awesome job with the decorations, food - everything. Well done girls! The reception was a blast. The DJ - Complete kept the crowd engaged, played games and didn't take one break. There were a lot of dancing fools out there, myself included.
Now for my report - I went to physical therapy on Tuesday and had an excellent report. My range of motion is almost back to normal. I still have some swelling, but it is down much more than when I was last there, so more good news. I will go back again next week to make sure it stays down and then hopefully be released unless I have any signs of the Lymphedema.
Today I met with Dr. Coplin, Oncologist, and she said to continue on our course of weekly Taxol. If my WBC (white blood cells) is down again they will give me an injection of Neupogen to stimulate the growth of WBC. I will meet with her again before week 6 of chemo.
So now I'm off to the chemotherapy room where they accessed the port and took the blood sample. More good news. My WBC was 6.8 with the range being 4.0 - 9.8. My red blood cells value was also up (they tell me that red wine I drank at the wedding didn't really affect those, HA). My platelets were 279 with normal range of 140 - 350. And that name that eluded me in my last post about the WBC to fight off infection that needed to be at least 1000 and mine was 700 is called ANC (Absolute Neutrophil Count). More good news - mine was 5000. Yay for me! This means I was able to complete Chemo #2 and will not have to get an injection. We will take that week by week.
So Charli (my nurse) premedicated me with:
Decadron - Steriod
Pepcid - Inflammation Component
Emend - Nausea
Benadryl - Allergic reaction preventative for Taxol
Taxol
All went well, I took about an hour nap after the Benadryl, was de-accessed and sent on my way.
Keep your best wishes, close to your heart and watch what happens”
― Tony DeLiso, Legacy: The Power Within
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