Tuesday, August 29, 2017
A big NO on the dentist
Who knew? I had my regular 6 month dental cleaning scheduled for yesterday. I got up in the chair, wondering if the chemo would have caused cavities and curious why my teeth are so sensitive to hot foods now. The hygienist asked if I had apporoval from my oncologist to have a dental cleaning. Huh? I hadn't ever thought about that. They said they would not proceed without permission from the oncologist. They said that cleanings can dislodge bacteria that can travel right to your heart.....or something like that. I made a phone call to the oncologist while sitting in the dental chair. Yep, not allowed to have a dental cleaning for 2-3 months post chemo. Sigh. Rescheduled for November.
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
But wait, there's MORE!
Today was a scheduled visit with the oncologist - a post chemo checkup to see if my white blood cells recovered on their own. I was there for a port blood draw and visit with the oncologist. Kelly, my nurse, was taking my vitals and asking me the same questions that she always asks: What is your level of pain? What is your level of tiredness? Have you had any fever or chills? Do you have any rashes?
Welllll.......yes, actually, I do have a rash. I pull up my shirt to show her this rash that started on my side. She stood up immediately and said, "Uh, that looks like shingles! Let me go get the doctor." The doctor came back and sure enough, shingles. I developed a series of 11 little bumps in a small area on the left side of my torso on Saturday. I had no idea what it was. It wasn't bothering me too much, although it itches a little and my skin hurts where it is and where it has spread to my back and stomach. I was immediately put into quarantine. The were using masks when they were in my little room. Since shingles is contagious (who knew?!) I should not be around unvaccinated children, babies, elderly, chemo patients, and anyone with a compromised immune system.
Speaking of compromised immune systems - my white blood cell count is just 2.2 (normal range is 4-11), so I am kind of low for being out of chemo for 2 weeks. It could be because of the shingles virus. They prescribed an antibiotic that I have to take almost every 2-3 hours. I will be considered contagious until my rash is crusty. Almost there. Also, every muscle in my body feels like it hurts in the last few days and shingles will cause this pain. Mystery solved.
My red blood cell count is 35, which keeps going up slowly and means that I'm not anemic anymore.
Another blood test was to see if I am in menopause yet. They like to get a baseline before starting Tamoxifen. I'm been in a chemo-induced menopause for the past 6 months. When I am in for-sure menopause, they will have to change Tamoxofen to another drug that is not an estrogen inhibitor. There is a bunch of science behind all that but I will spare you.
Crazy - shingles - after a hellish 6 months of chemo. I asked if there is a oncology Bingo board, because I think I must have won by now!
Other than that, most of my side effects have hung on. I still can't taste well, I'm tired, and my foot neuropathy is the same. The only change so far is that my daily nose bleeds have almost stopped. Yay.
Heading back to oncologist in 4 weeks for more blood tests and the start of the Tamoxifen. I can't start it until my white blood cell count is normal. She says that the side effects will be hot flashes and weight gain. Sweet combo. Can't wait.
Welllll.......yes, actually, I do have a rash. I pull up my shirt to show her this rash that started on my side. She stood up immediately and said, "Uh, that looks like shingles! Let me go get the doctor." The doctor came back and sure enough, shingles. I developed a series of 11 little bumps in a small area on the left side of my torso on Saturday. I had no idea what it was. It wasn't bothering me too much, although it itches a little and my skin hurts where it is and where it has spread to my back and stomach. I was immediately put into quarantine. The were using masks when they were in my little room. Since shingles is contagious (who knew?!) I should not be around unvaccinated children, babies, elderly, chemo patients, and anyone with a compromised immune system.
Speaking of compromised immune systems - my white blood cell count is just 2.2 (normal range is 4-11), so I am kind of low for being out of chemo for 2 weeks. It could be because of the shingles virus. They prescribed an antibiotic that I have to take almost every 2-3 hours. I will be considered contagious until my rash is crusty. Almost there. Also, every muscle in my body feels like it hurts in the last few days and shingles will cause this pain. Mystery solved.
My red blood cell count is 35, which keeps going up slowly and means that I'm not anemic anymore.
Another blood test was to see if I am in menopause yet. They like to get a baseline before starting Tamoxifen. I'm been in a chemo-induced menopause for the past 6 months. When I am in for-sure menopause, they will have to change Tamoxofen to another drug that is not an estrogen inhibitor. There is a bunch of science behind all that but I will spare you.
Crazy - shingles - after a hellish 6 months of chemo. I asked if there is a oncology Bingo board, because I think I must have won by now!
Other than that, most of my side effects have hung on. I still can't taste well, I'm tired, and my foot neuropathy is the same. The only change so far is that my daily nose bleeds have almost stopped. Yay.
Heading back to oncologist in 4 weeks for more blood tests and the start of the Tamoxifen. I can't start it until my white blood cell count is normal. She says that the side effects will be hot flashes and weight gain. Sweet combo. Can't wait.
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
Fresh new hell
You've already heard me complain about my nails - the ridges, the brittleness, the discoloration, and growing in weird shapes......but now there is fun, new stuff with my nails.
A few days ago, I thought I had banged my fingernail on something because it really hurt. By yesterday, all my fingernails hurt incredibly bad and now many of them are turning dark purple. So, of course, I Google. Turns out that the weeks AFTER chemo with Taxol, your nails shit the bed.
So, every time I touch my nails - which is every minute of every damn day! - they hurt like hell. Just typing hurts.....and getting dressed, and making a cup of coffee, and brushing my teeth. Sweet. And according to Google, I can just hang out and wait for them all to fall off. Why is this more upsetting than my hair coming out? No idea. Oh, and Google also says it will be months - MONTHS! - until my hair follicles decide my body is not a hostile environment and graces me with some weird, gray hairs on my head. It says not to expect your hair to return to it's former glory.....and since my former hair had no glory, I can only imagine what it's going to look like.
Chemo - the gift that keeps on giving!
I went for an routine check-up at my regular doctor's the other day. My heart rate is 113. So, now I have to go back in 6 months to check if I'm still alive. Hydrating! That is the answer to everything on this journey.
Today is my usual chemo day. I miss my nurse and Doritos. :)
A few days ago, I thought I had banged my fingernail on something because it really hurt. By yesterday, all my fingernails hurt incredibly bad and now many of them are turning dark purple. So, of course, I Google. Turns out that the weeks AFTER chemo with Taxol, your nails shit the bed.
So, every time I touch my nails - which is every minute of every damn day! - they hurt like hell. Just typing hurts.....and getting dressed, and making a cup of coffee, and brushing my teeth. Sweet. And according to Google, I can just hang out and wait for them all to fall off. Why is this more upsetting than my hair coming out? No idea. Oh, and Google also says it will be months - MONTHS! - until my hair follicles decide my body is not a hostile environment and graces me with some weird, gray hairs on my head. It says not to expect your hair to return to it's former glory.....and since my former hair had no glory, I can only imagine what it's going to look like.
Chemo - the gift that keeps on giving!
I went for an routine check-up at my regular doctor's the other day. My heart rate is 113. So, now I have to go back in 6 months to check if I'm still alive. Hydrating! That is the answer to everything on this journey.
Today is my usual chemo day. I miss my nurse and Doritos. :)
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
LAST CHEMO #16!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 |
| LAST ONE!!!!!! So relieved! |
 |
| And I'm breaking out like a teenager.... |
 |
| A new side effect - Red, bumpy skin all over |
 |
| Kelly in her haz-mat suit getting my Taxol ready |
 |
| My foot massage :) |
 |
| I have kept this with me the whole time - from a school friend who's mother battled cancer |
 |
| I got to RING THE BELL!!!! And a gift of DORITOS and a certificate!! |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)