10 pm 99.9
2 am 100.6
6 am 100.2
2 pm 99.5
7 pm 100.6
It is official. I am stubborn. I should have gone to the hospital. There, I said it and it is in print. I promised Vic that if this fever stuff ever comes up again, I am at the hospital door. Probably would have felt better by now if I had gone in on Saturday.
Can't brush my teeth - gums are too sore and inflamed. Thank goodness for cotton facial pads to finger-brush the teeth. Taste buds are gone again because of the mouth issues. Other TMI side effects would probably be cleared up as well.
A huge Push Up to my husband, Vic. He has the patience of Job. Vic hasn't once complained about what he has had to do or give up for this cancer journey, despite his own cancer and surgery.
Time to go find some cardboard, um, I mean food. What a crappy way to lose 13 pounds in two weeks, eh? Then off to the laboratory and a visit to the onc nurses.
Afternoon Update
My NADIR is down and I've been ordered to stay at home, avoid crowds, not eat any raw foods unless they can be cooked or washed (i.e., apple), and frequent hand washing. If I washed my hands anymore, I wouldn't have skin.
All of the above body complaints are a sign of low NADIR. Isn't that interesting?! If I'd known that, . . ...grrrr.
Dr. P said if my temperature got to 100.5 that I was to go to the ER in Seattle where she is. So, we are on our way and expect to be there within a couple of hours!
Stay tuned to the As The Cancerville Turns saga. It is such an old story, I'm so sick of it.
Evening Update
We are so frustrated. We have no idea why the request for us to go to the ER - other than the damn "standard protocol". What we wanted to achieve by going to the hospital wasn't met - no fever, my taste buds back, no mouth sores or inflamed gums and the other TMI issues resolved.
Oh wait, I got the opportunity to have 5 - five - needles! Thank goodness that the first and fourth ones were Lidocaine. The others were the port needles, in 3/4" and 1" length. They were having challenges getting a good flush on the port. I had two x-rays and got a lovely grey pair of non-slip slippers. They match the previous two pairs I received.
It was like the ER doctor was talking to the Oncologist but the ER doctor wasn't agreeing???? Such as - oncology protocol is any fever over 100.5 you go to the ER and be admitted. I was higher than 100.5 many times this weekend and even today. This is what I was fighting over the weekend. ER doctor says oh, no, it's 102 degrees. He goes on to say that the blood work in the morning shows that my blood counts are low, but not "that bad". Okay, so why am I told to stay home, avoid crowds, no gardening (as if I have the stamina to do it right now), drink lots of fluids and wash your hands. Umm, been doing that for 3 days now!
Then! Okay, yes, this is a rant. I shared my frustration with the ER doctor and discharge nurse of just spending an hour trying to get access to my port. The nurse replied, "We are just the messengers. Don't be an ugly cancer patient". Yes, that's right. That is what she said. You bet your sweet bippy a letter to the administration is going out tomorrow as soon as I cool off. This one just rises above the "oh well" attitude.
Many of the ER discharge instructions contridicted Oncology instructions. Such as the temperature and taking Motrin/Advil or Tylenol.
On our way home, I called the temporary onc nurse to let her know what happened. I also wanted to confirm that I should call or come back to the ER if I have a 102 degree temperature and that I could take Advil/Motrin. After the onc nurse talked with Dr. P, she comes back on the line and says, "No, follow the oncology protocol. Call us if you have a fever of 100.5 and do not take Advil/Motrin".
At 7 pm, my temperature was 100.6 and I am not calling. I will call my usual onc nurses tomorrow (they don't work on Mondays) to obtain the preliminary results of the blood culture. And next steps. Geesh! I just want to go to work and be normal!
Oh wait. I have cancer. I'll have a "new normal". Who coined that crappy phrase?
Rant over and I am out.
Love and peace to you all!
~Renee
Showing posts with label side effects. Show all posts
Showing posts with label side effects. Show all posts
Monday, October 13, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Chem 1, Day 10
Today was THE day -- we shaved my head. Talk about an emotional roller coaster! I closed my eyes as I couldn't look when the first buzzes started and tears rolled down my cheeks. They still do as I type this 12 hours later!
Daughters and granddaughters plus a wonderful hairstylist, Rebecca, at The Mane Team Salon, were there to support and do the deed. Rebecca is a dear. She accepted no payment for her work. On top of that, she gave me two wig heads, eye lashes, special shampoo and berets for me. We will meet up again so she can show me how to put on the lashes and further tailor the main wig. The wig will take some time to get used to; I found it to be tight and caused a headache.
Rebecca also came up with an idea that we had previously visited on this blog . . . adding hair to a hat. Cousin Valerie shared how a wig was made as well. We just might do it!
See, I had purchased a rather large and long partial wig that I was going to throw a hat or scarf over when I didn't feel like wearing the main wig. It was triple the cost of my Courage wig (isn't that a neat name for my wig?). For Rebecca to cut the long wig to suit my style - I'm not one for long hair - would have skewed things so bad that if a stiff wind came, you'd be seeing my little bald head.
I will have some pictures on the blog of this monumental day very soon. I am challenged on exporting pics from my camera to the computer. Not as easy as our previous camera, that's for sure. And for those who know me and want to see the "real" pictures, email me. lol Hey! I'm not putting the bad and the ugly out there for the world to see! Without my hair, I can differentiate my mother's and father's facial features in me. In fact, I look more like my mom than I ever thought.
On another note, I am fighting an infection or my blood counts had zeroed out. I have mouth sores once again, with a lump in the throat. I'm thinking it must be a sore in the esophagus. There are other physical ailments going on which would fall under TMI.
With the sleepiness on Friday, a start of a temperature that night, and an angry looking red mark on my port incision where the needle had gone in - I assumed it was an infection. The Oncologist prescribed some antibiotics Saturday morning. Poor Victor - when he walks into Bartell's the clerk immediately gets my drugs. They don't even ask who it's for.
After the hair cut, I had the shaking chills and was spiking a temperature up to 100.6 - which either item means an immediate call to the doctor. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200.
It could be a sign of low blood counts. The Oncologist said that I could come into the ER, have them run the blood tests, or I could give the antibiotics another 12 hours and see where we were. He mentioned the possibility of being admitted to the hospital. Umm, okay; let's do everything possible NOT to have that happen.
I woke up on Sunday morning, Day 11, at 1 am with shaking chills and a 100.5 temperature. Guess we are going to the ER as soon as it is light out and Vic wakes up. . . . and I get the laundry done, eat some breakfast, pick up the clutter, etc. :-) I'm such an excuse-maker aren't I?
Peace to you and your family,
Renee
P.S. At 6 am, my temp was down to 99.4, so we aren't going to the hospital right now.
Daughters and granddaughters plus a wonderful hairstylist, Rebecca, at The Mane Team Salon, were there to support and do the deed. Rebecca is a dear. She accepted no payment for her work. On top of that, she gave me two wig heads, eye lashes, special shampoo and berets for me. We will meet up again so she can show me how to put on the lashes and further tailor the main wig. The wig will take some time to get used to; I found it to be tight and caused a headache.
Rebecca also came up with an idea that we had previously visited on this blog . . . adding hair to a hat. Cousin Valerie shared how a wig was made as well. We just might do it!
See, I had purchased a rather large and long partial wig that I was going to throw a hat or scarf over when I didn't feel like wearing the main wig. It was triple the cost of my Courage wig (isn't that a neat name for my wig?). For Rebecca to cut the long wig to suit my style - I'm not one for long hair - would have skewed things so bad that if a stiff wind came, you'd be seeing my little bald head.
I will have some pictures on the blog of this monumental day very soon. I am challenged on exporting pics from my camera to the computer. Not as easy as our previous camera, that's for sure. And for those who know me and want to see the "real" pictures, email me. lol Hey! I'm not putting the bad and the ugly out there for the world to see! Without my hair, I can differentiate my mother's and father's facial features in me. In fact, I look more like my mom than I ever thought.
On another note, I am fighting an infection or my blood counts had zeroed out. I have mouth sores once again, with a lump in the throat. I'm thinking it must be a sore in the esophagus. There are other physical ailments going on which would fall under TMI.
With the sleepiness on Friday, a start of a temperature that night, and an angry looking red mark on my port incision where the needle had gone in - I assumed it was an infection. The Oncologist prescribed some antibiotics Saturday morning. Poor Victor - when he walks into Bartell's the clerk immediately gets my drugs. They don't even ask who it's for.
After the hair cut, I had the shaking chills and was spiking a temperature up to 100.6 - which either item means an immediate call to the doctor. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200.
It could be a sign of low blood counts. The Oncologist said that I could come into the ER, have them run the blood tests, or I could give the antibiotics another 12 hours and see where we were. He mentioned the possibility of being admitted to the hospital. Umm, okay; let's do everything possible NOT to have that happen.
I woke up on Sunday morning, Day 11, at 1 am with shaking chills and a 100.5 temperature. Guess we are going to the ER as soon as it is light out and Vic wakes up. . . . and I get the laundry done, eat some breakfast, pick up the clutter, etc. :-) I'm such an excuse-maker aren't I?
Peace to you and your family,
Renee
P.S. At 6 am, my temp was down to 99.4, so we aren't going to the hospital right now.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Chemo 1, Day 9
I was able to work 5 hours today before I pooped out. I slept through to 5 pm when I was suppose to pick Vic up from the train station.
I am so blessed to have such a great supervisor and colleagues throughout City Hall. God's hands were definitely in the heart of the City hiring me.
I bought three hats yesterday. I wore one last night to dinner with Vic and actually wore one to work today. I needed people to see me in a hat while I felt good about myself and had my own hair. The concern was that I show up one day. with a hat, and there is a neon sign above my head, flashing "Cancer Girl" in bright pink letters.
The scarves came in from TLC.org website, but pretty sure they are going back. I can't get my arms back up behind my head to do the pretty twisty things. Possibly my hairdresser can help, plus EC at work said she'd help too.
Nausea is down IF I keep food in my stomach almost constantly. I am still troubled, tho, with the esophageal tract. There is a big lump in my throat which makes swallowing difficult. No, I didn't call the oncology nurses today about it . . . . figured I had enough meds around here to knock it out. But it hasn't.
There is a new symptom - neuropathy - in my hands and feet. I noticed it last night when I was on the computer. I thought it was because of a pinched nerve in my neck or I had a kink in my shoulder. But the tingling and numbness are definitely there. It was weird to walk around last night cause it felt like I was stepping on a cat's tail.
Found an interesting item that I may check out at Nordstrom's. It's an eyebrow stencil by Anastasia. I already have the palest of pale eyebrows, that when I do add color to them, I feel like I'm wearing Joan Crawford's eyebrows.
Feel free to leave a comment or message or a joke as I DO enjoy reading them.
Should have some interesting pictures on the blog tomorrow night. Stay tuned!
Blessings to you and your family,
Renee
I am so blessed to have such a great supervisor and colleagues throughout City Hall. God's hands were definitely in the heart of the City hiring me.
I bought three hats yesterday. I wore one last night to dinner with Vic and actually wore one to work today. I needed people to see me in a hat while I felt good about myself and had my own hair. The concern was that I show up one day. with a hat, and there is a neon sign above my head, flashing "Cancer Girl" in bright pink letters.
The scarves came in from TLC.org website, but pretty sure they are going back. I can't get my arms back up behind my head to do the pretty twisty things. Possibly my hairdresser can help, plus EC at work said she'd help too.
Nausea is down IF I keep food in my stomach almost constantly. I am still troubled, tho, with the esophageal tract. There is a big lump in my throat which makes swallowing difficult. No, I didn't call the oncology nurses today about it . . . . figured I had enough meds around here to knock it out. But it hasn't.
There is a new symptom - neuropathy - in my hands and feet. I noticed it last night when I was on the computer. I thought it was because of a pinched nerve in my neck or I had a kink in my shoulder. But the tingling and numbness are definitely there. It was weird to walk around last night cause it felt like I was stepping on a cat's tail.
Found an interesting item that I may check out at Nordstrom's. It's an eyebrow stencil by Anastasia. I already have the palest of pale eyebrows, that when I do add color to them, I feel like I'm wearing Joan Crawford's eyebrows.
Feel free to leave a comment or message or a joke as I DO enjoy reading them.
Should have some interesting pictures on the blog tomorrow night. Stay tuned!
Blessings to you and your family,
Renee
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Chemo 1, Day 6
Throat a little sore and swollen this morning, but otherwise, things are okay. About 45 minutes after taking the new meds, my left eye became very dry, lots of pressure and "weird". In looking in the mirror, I could see that it was a little misshapen and the "white" was grey/pink. Just weirdo looking. Not sure if that's a medical terminology.
Onc nurse says to go to the eye doctor, but Vic is at work. I made an appointment anyway and will drive myself, very slowly :-), to the eye doc. This is the same eye that has a hole in the vitreous lining, so hoping nothing is serious. But it does look weird.
Onc nurse says to go to the eye doctor, but Vic is at work. I made an appointment anyway and will drive myself, very slowly :-), to the eye doc. This is the same eye that has a hole in the vitreous lining, so hoping nothing is serious. But it does look weird.
Vic came home and took me to the eye doctor. The eye was definitely bulging and vision was at a minimum in this eye. All I can say, weird looking! Eewwwy! Eye doc "thinks" it's allgergic conjunctivitis that was causing the swelling and prescribed some drops. Onc nurse wants me to see me the Oncologist this Thursday since I've been having a few problems with chemo.
I think I am past the severe nausea to smells period. I'm glad that this doesn't last the entire chemo session! What has, tho, come on is the feasting after sterioids. Everything looks good. I want to eat everything, but once it gets into the mouth, there is very little taste. Fritos with cheese, steak, steak, steak with blue cheese, pasta alfredo with some gorgonzola. Okay, I didn't really eat all that, nor even had a nibble, but it is what I am craving.
We went to a small grocery store to pick up some things that I thought I could eat. After walking around the store about 20 minutes, I had to go sit outside in the car. I was shocked how tired I was. But at least we have food that I think I can eat. Now tasting it is something totally different.
Tomorrow, I will be off the new meds that make me sleepy, so I plan to go to work. At least for a few hours or as long as I can last. It will be nice to get to some type of new normal.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Chemo 1, Day 5
Out of bed at 2 am due to mouth sores and swollen-feeling tongue/throat. Made some rose hips tea that is to help mouth sores - seems it worked some. Took Zofran and feeling good. Eating, active, cleaning up, finding some recipes for Vic or I to cook that won't trigger nausea smells.
Then wham! Again! Down for the count this morning with nausea. . . and 2 break-through pills. Hope sleep comes back soon.
Talk to you later . . . .
8 am - dry heaves. Not good for chemo. Called doctor who had us come in so onc nurse could assess. No IVs, thank goodness. Just more drugs and advice. Waiting now (12 noon) for meds to be prepared.
Guess it's going to be a bad few days.
8 pm - Thanks to all you wrote in giving advice. The chemo just fouled up my gastroesophageal area. It's a weird feeling to be nauseous but also have a swollen throat and what feels like a killer heartburn from your belly button to your throat (and beyond), but none that you've ever known or wish to ever know.
The new meds are helping some and I will be on them for the next 2 days. One of the meds is lidocaine, benadryl and Maalox or some combination of that. But it's also like opening your bottle of Dove dishwashing soap and being asked to swish it around. It does the trick of numbing, that's for sure! Oh, and if you want to swallow a little, you can.
Then wham! Again! Down for the count this morning with nausea. . . and 2 break-through pills. Hope sleep comes back soon.
Talk to you later . . . .
8 am - dry heaves. Not good for chemo. Called doctor who had us come in so onc nurse could assess. No IVs, thank goodness. Just more drugs and advice. Waiting now (12 noon) for meds to be prepared.
Guess it's going to be a bad few days.
8 pm - Thanks to all you wrote in giving advice. The chemo just fouled up my gastroesophageal area. It's a weird feeling to be nauseous but also have a swollen throat and what feels like a killer heartburn from your belly button to your throat (and beyond), but none that you've ever known or wish to ever know.
The new meds are helping some and I will be on them for the next 2 days. One of the meds is lidocaine, benadryl and Maalox or some combination of that. But it's also like opening your bottle of Dove dishwashing soap and being asked to swish it around. It does the trick of numbing, that's for sure! Oh, and if you want to swallow a little, you can.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Chemo 1, Day 4
Vic woke me up early to give a Compazine pill before I got out of bed. I was able to doze a bit more, but when I got up and started making my breakfast, I got whammed again. I guess the trick is to not get up so fast and start moving right away. Ease on down the road a bit. Or maybe poached eggs just aren't my cup of tea.
Finally called the doctor for something beside Compazine. It has been keeping me agitated to the extreme. Like being on speed. Well, if you ever tried speed, not that I have. She prescribed Zofran which has seemed to help release the tightness in the stomach and the nausea. I've had to take Ativan, which is used for the "breakthrough nausea". Seems Zofran or Compazine should help all day, but neither have 100%. So the little "break through" meds are needed.
I'm not allowed near the stove or knives; now the microwave has been taken away. I was mixing some peanut butter and Nutella together for a banana. I need to eat a banana a day but dislike their taste. Well, the Nutella and peanut butter weren't coming off the spoons - 2 spoons. So I put them in the cup with the pb/Nutella and nuked them. The spoons touched and a big fire started in the micro. I don't know why he looks at me the way he does sometimes! Is this chemo brain already? lol Okay, I'll blame it on that!
Vic did a huge bad thing today! I've been nauseous off and on all day. Can't get it under control or find what I can eat or the timing of what I can eat or drink to keep it at bay. My Mr. Wonderful starts cooking dinner, without thinking or me asking what he was cooking. All of a sudden these barf-making odors were wafting through the house. He was frying up some bacon and onions with some other herbs and I almost lost it. I barricaded myself in the bedroom with the windows and fans open.
Finally all was quiet. I tip toed out to see where or what he had done. Here's what I found:
He's sitting on the back porch eating his dinner out in the cold. What a guy!!!
Finally called the doctor for something beside Compazine. It has been keeping me agitated to the extreme. Like being on speed. Well, if you ever tried speed, not that I have. She prescribed Zofran which has seemed to help release the tightness in the stomach and the nausea. I've had to take Ativan, which is used for the "breakthrough nausea". Seems Zofran or Compazine should help all day, but neither have 100%. So the little "break through" meds are needed.
I'm not allowed near the stove or knives; now the microwave has been taken away. I was mixing some peanut butter and Nutella together for a banana. I need to eat a banana a day but dislike their taste. Well, the Nutella and peanut butter weren't coming off the spoons - 2 spoons. So I put them in the cup with the pb/Nutella and nuked them. The spoons touched and a big fire started in the micro. I don't know why he looks at me the way he does sometimes! Is this chemo brain already? lol Okay, I'll blame it on that!
Vic did a huge bad thing today! I've been nauseous off and on all day. Can't get it under control or find what I can eat or the timing of what I can eat or drink to keep it at bay. My Mr. Wonderful starts cooking dinner, without thinking or me asking what he was cooking. All of a sudden these barf-making odors were wafting through the house. He was frying up some bacon and onions with some other herbs and I almost lost it. I barricaded myself in the bedroom with the windows and fans open.
Finally all was quiet. I tip toed out to see where or what he had done. Here's what I found:
He's sitting on the back porch eating his dinner out in the cold. What a guy!!!
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Chemo 1, Day 2
This morning started off well. Got to have some snuggle time with Vic. Seems so long since we've had that given the ta-tas and his stomach hurting. I sure miss it!
Got out of bed to start picking up the clutter from last night and, then, wham! I am down for the count. Nausea and so much fatigue. Not tired, but fatigue. It felt like I could barely put a foot in front to get to the couch. My vision is blurry as well, so it's hard to see tv, read or be on the computer. A little scary.
I've been trying to create a cheat sheet from all the computer print outs, handouts from the doctors and magazines so it's all in one place. To show when to call the doctor and when to do something for the symptom. It's too hard :-)
Thank you Mike & Steph for the balloon bouquet! It sure brightened my day and will for quite a few. They are in the living room where I hang out.
I heard about creating a "woman cave" with a bed, recliner and soft music just for those quiet times needed during the chemo. I was going to make one before I started chemo, but Vic didn't feel that well to move furniture, so I didn't ask. That would have been a lovely place to go to today when the above fatigue and nausea hit. The sound of the dryer was amplified a zillion percent, or at least it felt that way. I was able to put on the iPod with guided imagary relaxtion to tune out the noise and gentle my system with breathing and relaxing.
Did you know that iTunes has more than music? I found some great relaxation tunes (water, rain, forest) and some guided imagery where someone is talking you through to a quiet place. Well worth the $.99!! One is Stress Relief with Dr. Siddharth Ashvin Shah, Five Minute Resuce by Splendor of Meditation (awesome for a little rest at work!)
Guess I should close as I just saw a bright light. It was Vic taking a picture of me sleeping with my fingers on the keyboard.
Got out of bed to start picking up the clutter from last night and, then, wham! I am down for the count. Nausea and so much fatigue. Not tired, but fatigue. It felt like I could barely put a foot in front to get to the couch. My vision is blurry as well, so it's hard to see tv, read or be on the computer. A little scary.
I've been trying to create a cheat sheet from all the computer print outs, handouts from the doctors and magazines so it's all in one place. To show when to call the doctor and when to do something for the symptom. It's too hard :-)
Thank you Mike & Steph for the balloon bouquet! It sure brightened my day and will for quite a few. They are in the living room where I hang out.
I heard about creating a "woman cave" with a bed, recliner and soft music just for those quiet times needed during the chemo. I was going to make one before I started chemo, but Vic didn't feel that well to move furniture, so I didn't ask. That would have been a lovely place to go to today when the above fatigue and nausea hit. The sound of the dryer was amplified a zillion percent, or at least it felt that way. I was able to put on the iPod with guided imagary relaxtion to tune out the noise and gentle my system with breathing and relaxing.
Did you know that iTunes has more than music? I found some great relaxation tunes (water, rain, forest) and some guided imagery where someone is talking you through to a quiet place. Well worth the $.99!! One is Stress Relief with Dr. Siddharth Ashvin Shah, Five Minute Resuce by Splendor of Meditation (awesome for a little rest at work!)
Guess I should close as I just saw a bright light. It was Vic taking a picture of me sleeping with my fingers on the keyboard.
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