Back to Work

Back to work tomorrow and I look forward to it! Nothing makes you feel more normal than a day on the job! The next round of chemo is on the books for June 12, 13 and 14. The half way mark, then it's all down hill to the finish! If something odd comes up I'll report on it in a post, if not I'm just going to wait until the next round. More to come......

Great News and Fallout

Great news on my blood work! It's showing excellent results, meaning that the chemo is doing it's job. My counts are sufficient so that I do not need to boost their production with the use of Procrit or Neulasta and I am thankful for that! While I felt good after my last infusion on Thursday during cycle 2, the next few days found me in a downward trend, finally bottoming out yesterday. After a round of tests at my scheduled doctor appointment yesterday to rule out a bunch of things, I am happy to report that my ills were most likely just fall out from either the chemo itself or from the side effects of the ancillary medications I take to ward off rogue viruses and bacteria. I am bouncing back today and I expect the trend to continue. The doc says more rest is needed even when I feel good. I can do that. As a side note, I am dismayed with seeing the number of people coming in for cancer treatment. In the three days I was there, about 150 people were being treated per day. Even more disturbing is that since I've been there, two people I know were diagnosed with lymphoma and are currently being staged and prepared for treatment, another good friend was diagnosed with a form of tissue cancer and some acquaintances have been diagnosed with prostate and pancreatic cancer. We live in a toxic world that is certainly messing with or internal structures. Either we're getting better at diagnosing these problems or our world is becoming increasingly poisoned. I think it's a combination of both. The bottom line? Keep or make your checkups with your doctors. Early detection is the best prevention and leads to a greater chance of positive outcomes. Time to get off my soapbox I have some resting to do!

Cycle 2 Done!

Cycle 2 is in the books and I'm feeling pretty good! I think the beautiful weather helps! One third of the way done and so far the experience is o.k. Now I'll just have to wait until Tuesday to find out if I have an immune system....with a blood test. If all is well, then it's just 25 days from today until my next cycle. Nothing else to report. Thanks for checking in! More to come after my checkup next Tuesday. Until then it's rest and relaxation. Later on my friends and enjoy the great spring weather!

Feeling Good

After my 10 hour first day I felt good this morning. The sun was shining and I went out and mowed the lawn! Right now I'm sitting in the infusion chair finishing my second and last drug for the day. Just an F/C day today. Fludara and Cytoxan. This is the stuff that kills the white blood cells. I had some yesterday too. The drug I received yesterday in conjunction with these (Retuxan) helps these two drugs home in on the cancerous cells by attaching to a protein (CD20) on their surfaces. Pretty cool science! The only problem is that the F/C also lower some of your other blood cells. Therefore there is a need to monitor/test my blood weekly from start to finish for the 6 months of treatment. If counts go down, then they give me a blood cell growth stimulant. You have to maintain some semblance of an immune system, cellular respiration system and clotting system! Even so, I'm on an antiviral and antibiotic just in case. I believe I'll take those until the end of all the cycles also. So that's my story and I'm sticking with it! Until tomorrow......

Cycle 2 Day1

Well 8 hrs turned into 10 today....that's the way it goes in the infusion center! Your drugs get prepared when your doctor signs the orders and you check in. We checked in but the orders weren't signed, so a two hour delay ensued. Oh well, could be worse. You do have to be your own advocate at probably any hospital. Reminding, correcting, double checking etc. Remember, question everything....it keeps them on their toes. Anyway I took the biggest dose of Retuxin today with no problems, now I'm done for this cycle with that drug. Nice! Tomorrow and Thursday are the short days...I'll tell you how that turns out.

Cycle 2

Well, cycle 2 starts tomorrow. Again, I don't know what to expect. It all begins with blood work, then a meeting with my doctor. Tomorrow will be my longest day, maybe 6 or 7 hours of infusion, plus the 1 hour of lab/doc talk. Wednesday and Thursday are shorter, 3-4 hours. On the positive side, they have wifi so I can cruise the net, watch youtube video or shop! I listen to Fight the Good Fight by Triumph to psych myself up at the beginning of my IV. It seems to help! All in all, it's painless and comfortable, just time consuming. I'll write more on the other side of it. Until then...........

Round 2 Coming Up

One week to go until round two. Not looking forward to it but when I finish I will be 1/3 done. I'm hoping that it goes as easy as the 1st round! Beside being tired, constipated and dizzy it wasn't the worst thing. Note to self: When undergoing chemotherapy, lay in supplies of laxative and softener. Start them on the first day. I'll thank myself later! Hahahaha! Until next week......