16 radiation treatments are now recommended? What? I really don't understand (and don't like) this.
Apparently, if the Hodgkins tried to come back some day, the first place it would try is the last place it was--my leg. By radiating the area, we eliminate that place and possibly keep it from ever coming back. More insurance against further occurrences.
Plus, there's nothing else in the area to damage, so no long-term effects either. Crud! I really want to be done, finished, complete with all things cancer, but it looks like I'll be visiting with our local radiation oncologist every day, Monday-Friday, for two weeks starting soon.
Just more fun to add to the equation, I guess. Permanent tattoos, more CT scans, 15 minutes of laying absolutely still for 16 treatments. Oh joy!
First appointment is Thursday. We'll see how that goes.
Purple Everywhere
Daily Herald picture
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
So my blood counts came in fast and furious. The second day was something like 14,000 neutrophils and they just kept escalating from there. So, I got to leave the hospital last Thursday--a day shy of staying there three weeks. Not bad! They said to plan on at least three weeks, more like four; and I wasn't even in there three. Yahoo! Thanks for all the prayers!
I was discharged with my central line still in place (boo!) and on oxygen (double boo!). Why is is that my lungs always want to join the party late? Don't they know I have places to be and things to do?
Now BMT wants me to see a radiation oncologist to see if radiation might be helpful. What's the point? There's no cancer on the PET scan. Now we've entirely killed off my bone marrow and done a second round of high-dose chemo after that PET scan. And NOW you want to talk about possible radiation? I don't get it. I guess we'll go to the consult and see what they have to say, but I can't see how they're going to convince me to go through more torture after I'm supposed to be healing from it all.
I had a follow up appointment with BMT yesterday. They're not very happy that I've lost about eight pounds since being discharged. That makes me very happy, but they're saying it's the wrong time to lose weight. When you weigh about twice what you're supposed to, how can any time be the wrong time to lose weight? Another question that just doesn't make sense to me, but I promised I'd do my best to eat better.
It's hard to eat when your stomach is constantly flip flopping. What sounds good one moment makes me gag the next. And I keep hitting a point with any food where I'm done, I've had enough. If I try to force more down my stomach, we're all going to be in trouble. I don't understand this, and I don't know how long it might last; but it makes eating a greater challenge.
I was discharged with my central line still in place (boo!) and on oxygen (double boo!). Why is is that my lungs always want to join the party late? Don't they know I have places to be and things to do?
Now BMT wants me to see a radiation oncologist to see if radiation might be helpful. What's the point? There's no cancer on the PET scan. Now we've entirely killed off my bone marrow and done a second round of high-dose chemo after that PET scan. And NOW you want to talk about possible radiation? I don't get it. I guess we'll go to the consult and see what they have to say, but I can't see how they're going to convince me to go through more torture after I'm supposed to be healing from it all.
I had a follow up appointment with BMT yesterday. They're not very happy that I've lost about eight pounds since being discharged. That makes me very happy, but they're saying it's the wrong time to lose weight. When you weigh about twice what you're supposed to, how can any time be the wrong time to lose weight? Another question that just doesn't make sense to me, but I promised I'd do my best to eat better.
It's hard to eat when your stomach is constantly flip flopping. What sounds good one moment makes me gag the next. And I keep hitting a point with any food where I'm done, I've had enough. If I try to force more down my stomach, we're all going to be in trouble. I don't understand this, and I don't know how long it might last; but it makes eating a greater challenge.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Saturday, September 3, 2011
New cells are growing. It's definitely a party now!
100 neutrophils showed up in my blood stream this morning. They battle most of the infections within the body, and it also means that the other white blood cell counts should follow.
When I have 500 neutrophils--and everything else looks good--I can go home.
My nurse this afternoon thinks my neutrophils will be in the 200-300 range tomorrow. I like her! I'll keep her! And I'm totally for her plan.
My stomach must be feeling better because I've been craving foods this afternoon: a mango smoothie and good french fries.
Party Time!
100 neutrophils showed up in my blood stream this morning. They battle most of the infections within the body, and it also means that the other white blood cell counts should follow.
When I have 500 neutrophils--and everything else looks good--I can go home.
My nurse this afternoon thinks my neutrophils will be in the 200-300 range tomorrow. I like her! I'll keep her! And I'm totally for her plan.
My stomach must be feeling better because I've been craving foods this afternoon: a mango smoothie and good french fries.
Party Time!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
It's been three days of dealing with a crampy stomach and a violently ill stomach any time I'm forced to think about food. Not fun!
Now, I have to eat at least 1,000 calories or we have to start TPN (IV nutrition). I haven't been doing so well because the calorie counts from the last two days were in the 500s. So an order for half TPN is written. Because I know my body and its limits, I plead for just one more day. Every day away from chemo gets easier and easier. I really think I can choke down 1,000 calories if I work at it.
We're basically playing a waiting game now. Wait to see if the minerals for my heart will correct themselves because, lately, my potassium, calcium, and magnessium levels are all over the board.
Wait to see if any of the stem cells are starting to graft in so blood counts will rise. Currently, I have absolutely no white blood cells in my body. 0.0. Eeerie, huh?
Wait to see if any of these slight temperature spikes can be cultured and treated by a specific antibiotic, antivirus, or antifungal.
At first I was told that I'd probably start feeling better on Friday. Now, it seems that bar has been moved to Monday. Oh well.
We're getting really close to the point where those stem cells should be putting on their big girl panties and joining reality. Now we wait.
And as we wait, I'm reminded how grateful I am for Priesthood Blessings, for prayers, and caring friends and neighbors. There are lots of other patients who are really miserable. They can't find the right combination of anti-nausea medications that work for them, and they're battling serious infections with no immune system. I've been so blessed to experience just the tiniest, nth, degree of what it could have been, but isn't, for me. Thank you, Heavenly Father!
Now, I have to eat at least 1,000 calories or we have to start TPN (IV nutrition). I haven't been doing so well because the calorie counts from the last two days were in the 500s. So an order for half TPN is written. Because I know my body and its limits, I plead for just one more day. Every day away from chemo gets easier and easier. I really think I can choke down 1,000 calories if I work at it.
We're basically playing a waiting game now. Wait to see if the minerals for my heart will correct themselves because, lately, my potassium, calcium, and magnessium levels are all over the board.
Wait to see if any of the stem cells are starting to graft in so blood counts will rise. Currently, I have absolutely no white blood cells in my body. 0.0. Eeerie, huh?
Wait to see if any of these slight temperature spikes can be cultured and treated by a specific antibiotic, antivirus, or antifungal.
At first I was told that I'd probably start feeling better on Friday. Now, it seems that bar has been moved to Monday. Oh well.
We're getting really close to the point where those stem cells should be putting on their big girl panties and joining reality. Now we wait.
And as we wait, I'm reminded how grateful I am for Priesthood Blessings, for prayers, and caring friends and neighbors. There are lots of other patients who are really miserable. They can't find the right combination of anti-nausea medications that work for them, and they're battling serious infections with no immune system. I've been so blessed to experience just the tiniest, nth, degree of what it could have been, but isn't, for me. Thank you, Heavenly Father!
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