SHORT REPORT: Good news is I had chemo yesterday... but the doctor has cut out the Oxyplatin due to low blood counts. This should help me stay on schedule with the rest of my chemo treatments which is very important.
MORE DETAILS: I fell asleep really early yesterday after treatment, and then woke up about 1:30am and started making soup and answering emails. Good thing I'm a flexible person! I am a little anxious and excited as to how the side effects will change now that Oxyplatin is out of the mix. The Doc said not to expect too much right away.. that Oxyplatin will stay in my body and continue to cause side effects for some time - Some of them may actually get worse before they get better :-(
The good news is that the platelet count should come up - which I hope means more energy and less headaches - although it didn't seem that way last night!
I think I'll have some green tea... meditate on my flower essences.. and practice tai chi - or maybe I'll just go back to bed... hmmm? Onward through the fog!
Much love,
Sia
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
February 16
SHORT REPORT: I’ve gotten some strength back… and should have an excellent week! We moved my chemo to next week, which gives me an extra week to recover!! The doc says that my body may not tolerate much more of the oxyplatin… one of the chemo drugs in my “personal cocktail”. It is the one with the most affect on my platelets… and is also the one that affects neuropathy. So I’m hopeful that the side effects will be much more manageable if the doc does follow through with eliminating that drug!!
MORE DETAIL: We made it down to Galveston for a quiet recuperating weekend, completely unaware that it was MARDI GRAS!!! Fortunately we had a great day on Friday, although by the time we made it to our hotel, I had no strength left for that evening stroll on the beach. Gordon is such a trooper and takes those last minute disappointments very well! Saturday morning, we bought our beads (couldn’t leave without beads!)… had a nice quiet walk on the beach in a light rain... and made our escape before all the craziness started!
My strength comes in spurts – so I keep my “Wanna Do List” - not to be confused with a “To Do List”… since I really don’t know if I’ll get it done! When I feel like I can actually DO something… I grab my list and off I go until I hit the next brick wall. A pretty simple plan which seems to be working ok – as long as I don’t get too ambitious!
One reason why we postponed chemo this week is because I have several personal things that I need to attend to and if I had a treatment on Wednesday, it would be impossible. It also has the added benefit of laying my schedule out so that Tartan Day is a few days BEFORE a treatment – providing the best chance for me to attend the San Jacinto event! This week, I’m hoping to attend a kickoff meeting for the Admin Mentoring Program at work! All of the ladies have been so supportive – I can’t wait to see them!!
So today is a day to check a few things off that list… like writing on the blog!
Much love,
Sia
MORE DETAIL: We made it down to Galveston for a quiet recuperating weekend, completely unaware that it was MARDI GRAS!!! Fortunately we had a great day on Friday, although by the time we made it to our hotel, I had no strength left for that evening stroll on the beach. Gordon is such a trooper and takes those last minute disappointments very well! Saturday morning, we bought our beads (couldn’t leave without beads!)… had a nice quiet walk on the beach in a light rain... and made our escape before all the craziness started!
My strength comes in spurts – so I keep my “Wanna Do List” - not to be confused with a “To Do List”… since I really don’t know if I’ll get it done! When I feel like I can actually DO something… I grab my list and off I go until I hit the next brick wall. A pretty simple plan which seems to be working ok – as long as I don’t get too ambitious!
One reason why we postponed chemo this week is because I have several personal things that I need to attend to and if I had a treatment on Wednesday, it would be impossible. It also has the added benefit of laying my schedule out so that Tartan Day is a few days BEFORE a treatment – providing the best chance for me to attend the San Jacinto event! This week, I’m hoping to attend a kickoff meeting for the Admin Mentoring Program at work! All of the ladies have been so supportive – I can’t wait to see them!!
So today is a day to check a few things off that list… like writing on the blog!
Much love,
Sia
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
February 10
SHORT REPORT: Chemo still sucks! My platelet count was low when I had chemo and, judging from my body’s reaction, took a nosedive. I don’t seem to be loosing any more hair.. but my skin is so dry that I feel like I have a mud mask on all over my body. Flu-like symptoms get worse with each treatment and seem to last a little longer each time.
MORE DETAIL:
Well… the best way I can describe the last several days is … like taking a swan dive into an empty pool! I have visions of Wiley Coyote falling off that cliff – hitting bottom and then the anvil hit!.
I had the most fantastic few days right before chemo - Things just fell together for an incredible memorial ceremony at San Jacinto Monument for next Tartan Day! It’s something that I’ve dreamed of for several years now!
I guess I was a little naïve to think that I could avoid the crash. . so I just ran right off that cliff!. I had planned to spend the weekend with my son and daughter-in-law, but as it was, barely made it from the bed to the couch.
I had chemo a week ago tomorrow… and today is the first day that I felt strong enough to stand and brush my teeth. I haven’t been out of the house since last Wednesday. If all goes well, I’ll make it over to Nick’s today for some much appreciated change of scenery!
Thanks so much to all of you who continue to send me emails and cards... it means so very much!
mucho love,
Sia
MORE DETAIL:
Well… the best way I can describe the last several days is … like taking a swan dive into an empty pool! I have visions of Wiley Coyote falling off that cliff – hitting bottom and then the anvil hit!.
I had the most fantastic few days right before chemo - Things just fell together for an incredible memorial ceremony at San Jacinto Monument for next Tartan Day! It’s something that I’ve dreamed of for several years now!
I guess I was a little naïve to think that I could avoid the crash. . so I just ran right off that cliff!. I had planned to spend the weekend with my son and daughter-in-law, but as it was, barely made it from the bed to the couch.
I had chemo a week ago tomorrow… and today is the first day that I felt strong enough to stand and brush my teeth. I haven’t been out of the house since last Wednesday. If all goes well, I’ll make it over to Nick’s today for some much appreciated change of scenery!
Thanks so much to all of you who continue to send me emails and cards... it means so very much!
mucho love,
Sia
Thursday, February 5, 2009
February 5
SHORT REPORT: My blood levels (white cells and platelets) were still low and blood pressure a little high... but the doc kept me on schedule with a slightly lower dose. I am currently hooked up to my fanny-pack pump... which will come off early tomorrow afternoon. Looking forward to a sunny weekend!
Monday, February 2, 2009
SHORT REPORT: I feel very strong and ready for the next treatment on Wednesday. I have to be there at 7am for blood work, but should be back home by early afternoon.
MORE DETAIL: This whole journey is really very personal, so I do struggle with what to share and what to keep private. The last month has been a very private time, with much of my battle being mental and spiritual. The lack of energy and inability to think properly make that battle a serious challenge.
MD Anderson offers support on every front… and I am trying to take full advantage of that. Last week was the first time that “the planets were aligned” for me to participate in some classes at MDA – Tibetan Sound Meditation; Qigong and Tai Chi were all incredibly enlightening (no pun intended). The Eastern remedies all recognize the flow of energy and it’s importance to healing and health. I can honestly say that the difference was tangible.
Great news - my insurance will cover acupuncture, which has also been a huge help, not just in the energy flow, but also for the problems with neuropathy. There is a wonderful MD at MDA who has been practicing acupuncture for over 40 years. She’s incredible! I'll have another treatment tomorrow in prep for my chemo Wed.
To add to my quest for more energy… my healing friend Mary came to the rescue as well. She provided me with “flower essences” (no… not the kind you smoke)! There were a total of five different flowers which she chose for me and each one has a unique message that I repeat as a meditation – this has proved to be a real strength. I was amazed at how the words addressed very specific needs! Thanks again, Mary!
So I must go now and practice my meditation and Tai Chi… and conga!
I am blessed.
Sia
MORE DETAIL: This whole journey is really very personal, so I do struggle with what to share and what to keep private. The last month has been a very private time, with much of my battle being mental and spiritual. The lack of energy and inability to think properly make that battle a serious challenge.
MD Anderson offers support on every front… and I am trying to take full advantage of that. Last week was the first time that “the planets were aligned” for me to participate in some classes at MDA – Tibetan Sound Meditation; Qigong and Tai Chi were all incredibly enlightening (no pun intended). The Eastern remedies all recognize the flow of energy and it’s importance to healing and health. I can honestly say that the difference was tangible.
Great news - my insurance will cover acupuncture, which has also been a huge help, not just in the energy flow, but also for the problems with neuropathy. There is a wonderful MD at MDA who has been practicing acupuncture for over 40 years. She’s incredible! I'll have another treatment tomorrow in prep for my chemo Wed.
To add to my quest for more energy… my healing friend Mary came to the rescue as well. She provided me with “flower essences” (no… not the kind you smoke)! There were a total of five different flowers which she chose for me and each one has a unique message that I repeat as a meditation – this has proved to be a real strength. I was amazed at how the words addressed very specific needs! Thanks again, Mary!
So I must go now and practice my meditation and Tai Chi… and conga!
I am blessed.
Sia
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