I don't think I have to go any farther than this. It was not one of my better days. Not that I'm complaining, oh well, maybe I am for a change. Didn't leave the yard today. Basically was in the bathroom the majority of the day. I think I've had too many drugs this week, between anesthesia, vicadin, kytrol, and taxol just enough to mess me up. I was able to finally sleep for awhile which made the day go by a bit faster. But I think I'm over the hump finally. You see, I try to be honest and tell it like it is. Barry just tells me I'm full of sh*t!
Hoping tomorrow is a better day.
PS I do think my head zits are better today. Thank goodness.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
New port used today!
They were able to use my new port today at the Cancer Center. They drew blood from it and gave me my chemo from it. Was a bit tender but nothing to complain about. Needle went in with no pain at all. Thank God or perhaps thank JK for her suggestion! Am always appreciative when suggestions are given to me. Nurses at the center love ports, and I think I have to agree. Very easy to use. I was given Taxol only today as my chemo drug. I was there just a little over 2 hrs. which isn't bad. The only problem was after the needle was withdrawn and the nurse was attempting to stick down the steri strips from the surgery, there was a lot of blood. Soaked through a few gauze pads, but it was eventually under control. She just had me sit a few minutes extra to make sure it had stopped bleeding. The area involved was so new.
Came home and rested for a couple of hours as usual.
Tim's gone away with his buddy Ben to their camp. The boys will be dirt biking this weekend. Before he left he quickly did his weed wacking job. I can't believe how fast he worked with an ultimatum, do the job or you can't go! Guess it's called motivation. But it does look nice now.
Barry and I went out to dinner with a gift certificate friends got for us. It was nice and the food was very good. We have so many friends and are so thankful for them.
After coming home from dinner I mowed the lawn with the walk behind mower, not the sit down mower. And I was so proud of myself that I could do it with only 1 arm. I didn't use my left arm since that is the side the port is in. I figured using the push mower was easier since it didn't involve shifting. I didn't quite finish it because it got dark. Tomorrow I'll do that. While mowing, a neighbor stopped to say hi. They were walking another neighbor's dog. Funny how things work out. The day of my surgery someone had delivered some food for us and Tim did not know their name. But this man asked me how we liked the lasagna. Told him that solved the question! And of course, the food was great.
Well, that's it for today. Thinking of taking a shower but not sure if I should or not. Just because of the port area still gauzed up from this a.m. Oh well, decisions...decisions....
PS. As I mowed the lawn I thought again how lucky we've been with chemo. Sure, the cancer sucks. But geez, I hear so many stories of people who have been sick with these drugs and I have been so lucky "so far" with not getting nauseous.
Came home and rested for a couple of hours as usual.
Tim's gone away with his buddy Ben to their camp. The boys will be dirt biking this weekend. Before he left he quickly did his weed wacking job. I can't believe how fast he worked with an ultimatum, do the job or you can't go! Guess it's called motivation. But it does look nice now.
Barry and I went out to dinner with a gift certificate friends got for us. It was nice and the food was very good. We have so many friends and are so thankful for them.
After coming home from dinner I mowed the lawn with the walk behind mower, not the sit down mower. And I was so proud of myself that I could do it with only 1 arm. I didn't use my left arm since that is the side the port is in. I figured using the push mower was easier since it didn't involve shifting. I didn't quite finish it because it got dark. Tomorrow I'll do that. While mowing, a neighbor stopped to say hi. They were walking another neighbor's dog. Funny how things work out. The day of my surgery someone had delivered some food for us and Tim did not know their name. But this man asked me how we liked the lasagna. Told him that solved the question! And of course, the food was great.
Well, that's it for today. Thinking of taking a shower but not sure if I should or not. Just because of the port area still gauzed up from this a.m. Oh well, decisions...decisions....
PS. As I mowed the lawn I thought again how lucky we've been with chemo. Sure, the cancer sucks. But geez, I hear so many stories of people who have been sick with these drugs and I have been so lucky "so far" with not getting nauseous.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Port was inserted yesterday
Well, here I am back bloggin'. Didn't blog yesterday due to being at hospital most of the day.
It started at 11:30 a.m. when I had to check in. Procedure for inserting mediport was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. But there was a long delay. I didn't get to the operating room until 4:30 p.m.! To start with, the nurse had trouble getting an IV started in my arm. She had to call the IV tech person, who took more than an hour to get to my room. As Barry said, she must have been on lunch break. I was eventually told at 2:30 p.m. that it was going to be another hour before my turn for surgery. Any way you look at it, it was a long day. And liquid via IV was not making my hunger go away along with the eventual headache I had.
I entered the operating room at 4:31 p.m. and was given the "twilight" anesthesia, not totally out. Could hear conversations and sense the incision taking place. It took a little over an hour to insert the mediport. After returning to my room, I had a ham sandwich and cookies, along with ginger ale. I was discharged shortly after. I had no trouble coming out of the anesthesia. But I did and still do hurt from the work done.
Immediately took a vicadin when I got home.
I slept on and off during the night. Difficult sleeping with the incision, found it best to lay flat on my back with pillow under my arm area. The port was inserted on my left side just under my collarbone. Will be using it tomorrow for my next chemo treatment. I took the heavy bandage covering off this a.m.
My head continues to be zit infested. I continue to use the antibiotic cream on it. Also is a bit itchy from either the zits or the hair trying to grow. Who knows.
I got dressed at about noon after cat napping in the morning. Barry and I went to a couple of stores in the afternoon. By the time we got home, I was ready for jammies again. Had a very bad headache which continued even while I rested. Now it's gone thank God. The area is very sore which is to be expected per my friend JK who had same procedure years ago. Unable to lift my left arm above my head.
Got phone call today from Barry's Pittsburgh dr. to set up his CT scans for next Friday. Not a very convenient time or place. Usually he goes to Hillman Cancer Ctr. but since they didn't make the appt. timely, he has to go to another hospital for the tests. And this cycle of treatment requires him to also have a MUGA scan. It looks like he'll be in the city most of that day due to scheduling both appts. far between each other. His next chemo treatment will probably be July 13th which works out for me, that's my off Friday for my chemo. I had been so concerned how he would get to Pittsburgh if I was having my own chemo on the same day. Now problem is solved.
Am hoping I sleep better tonight. And am anxious to see how the port works tomorrow. Will be first time I've ever seen one in action.
It started at 11:30 a.m. when I had to check in. Procedure for inserting mediport was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. But there was a long delay. I didn't get to the operating room until 4:30 p.m.! To start with, the nurse had trouble getting an IV started in my arm. She had to call the IV tech person, who took more than an hour to get to my room. As Barry said, she must have been on lunch break. I was eventually told at 2:30 p.m. that it was going to be another hour before my turn for surgery. Any way you look at it, it was a long day. And liquid via IV was not making my hunger go away along with the eventual headache I had.
I entered the operating room at 4:31 p.m. and was given the "twilight" anesthesia, not totally out. Could hear conversations and sense the incision taking place. It took a little over an hour to insert the mediport. After returning to my room, I had a ham sandwich and cookies, along with ginger ale. I was discharged shortly after. I had no trouble coming out of the anesthesia. But I did and still do hurt from the work done.
Immediately took a vicadin when I got home.
I slept on and off during the night. Difficult sleeping with the incision, found it best to lay flat on my back with pillow under my arm area. The port was inserted on my left side just under my collarbone. Will be using it tomorrow for my next chemo treatment. I took the heavy bandage covering off this a.m.
My head continues to be zit infested. I continue to use the antibiotic cream on it. Also is a bit itchy from either the zits or the hair trying to grow. Who knows.
I got dressed at about noon after cat napping in the morning. Barry and I went to a couple of stores in the afternoon. By the time we got home, I was ready for jammies again. Had a very bad headache which continued even while I rested. Now it's gone thank God. The area is very sore which is to be expected per my friend JK who had same procedure years ago. Unable to lift my left arm above my head.
Got phone call today from Barry's Pittsburgh dr. to set up his CT scans for next Friday. Not a very convenient time or place. Usually he goes to Hillman Cancer Ctr. but since they didn't make the appt. timely, he has to go to another hospital for the tests. And this cycle of treatment requires him to also have a MUGA scan. It looks like he'll be in the city most of that day due to scheduling both appts. far between each other. His next chemo treatment will probably be July 13th which works out for me, that's my off Friday for my chemo. I had been so concerned how he would get to Pittsburgh if I was having my own chemo on the same day. Now problem is solved.
Am hoping I sleep better tonight. And am anxious to see how the port works tomorrow. Will be first time I've ever seen one in action.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Having a port "inserted" tomorrow. What a vacation...
Now what better way is there to spend your summer vacation but to insert a port for chemo. Have to be at hospital at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow and the procedure will be at 1:30 p.m.
Head continues to ache from the zits that are popping out on my head. On another topic, I did have my teeth checked out for sensitivity issues. Had a fluroride treatment and have been told to use sensodyne along with regular toothpaste. Getting all my appts. done while on vacation. Lucky me.
But the port should work out for me in the long run. Especially with weekly chemo, and only one arm able to use for BP and IV's due to lymph nodes removed on the other arm.
-----------------------------------------
Port:
An implanted device through which blood may be withdrawn and drugs may be infused without repeated needle sticks. Also called a port-a-cath.
Head continues to ache from the zits that are popping out on my head. On another topic, I did have my teeth checked out for sensitivity issues. Had a fluroride treatment and have been told to use sensodyne along with regular toothpaste. Getting all my appts. done while on vacation. Lucky me.
But the port should work out for me in the long run. Especially with weekly chemo, and only one arm able to use for BP and IV's due to lymph nodes removed on the other arm.
-----------------------------------------
Port:
An implanted device through which blood may be withdrawn and drugs may be infused without repeated needle sticks. Also called a port-a-cath.
Monday, June 25, 2007
They grow overnight...
For a day or so, my zits on my head were disappearing. But now, since I'm back to fresh chemo they have multiplied overnight and are sore. But if that's my biggest problem with chemo that's nothing! Just call me zit head. Plus my hair apprently wants to grow back. Will see what happens.
Have called my surgeon to have a port put in this week while I'm on vacation. They think it can be done this week without any problem. Had noticed that the area around my hand from previous chemo area is black and blued beneath the skin.
Another great day here, but himidity has returned. But do need some rain.
Stopped by my job today to say goodbye to a co-worker who is moving back to Wisconsin. Will miss her but know that she's going back to be with her family, and that's number 1. Not sure what next week will hold when I return to work since I've heard that July is an extremely busy month for closing of the year. But have told myself that I can just take one step at a time. Maintaining my health is top priority. And so far I think I'm doing a pretty good job.
Our neighbors have gotten together and have arranged meals for the next month for us. For our family and another neighbor who has been touched by cancer. Twice a week we've been told that meals will be brought to us. And tonight was the first night. And boy was it tasty. Have talked about this before, and I will once again say that this community is truly a great community. In the past I would never have thought of accepting food from people, but have realized that others want to help out in this way. And to accept this offering. And I am truly thankful to have such caring and generous friends.
Thanks.
Took a nice nap this afternoon. Was too hot to be outside today. Did our watering of lawn after 8 p.m. tonight, and even then it was 80 degrees outside.
Have called my surgeon to have a port put in this week while I'm on vacation. They think it can be done this week without any problem. Had noticed that the area around my hand from previous chemo area is black and blued beneath the skin.
Another great day here, but himidity has returned. But do need some rain.
Stopped by my job today to say goodbye to a co-worker who is moving back to Wisconsin. Will miss her but know that she's going back to be with her family, and that's number 1. Not sure what next week will hold when I return to work since I've heard that July is an extremely busy month for closing of the year. But have told myself that I can just take one step at a time. Maintaining my health is top priority. And so far I think I'm doing a pretty good job.
Our neighbors have gotten together and have arranged meals for the next month for us. For our family and another neighbor who has been touched by cancer. Twice a week we've been told that meals will be brought to us. And tonight was the first night. And boy was it tasty. Have talked about this before, and I will once again say that this community is truly a great community. In the past I would never have thought of accepting food from people, but have realized that others want to help out in this way. And to accept this offering. And I am truly thankful to have such caring and generous friends.
Thanks.
Took a nice nap this afternoon. Was too hot to be outside today. Did our watering of lawn after 8 p.m. tonight, and even then it was 80 degrees outside.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
A nice day in the neighborhood
I feel pretty good today. And that makes me happy. Slept good.
In the morning, Tim weed wacked the yard while Barry and I did some touch up mowing.
The yard looks pretty good. Have to throw some grass seed on some areas that need a bit more help.
After the yard work, we went to a graduation party. Lots of good food and friendship.
We then went over to Ohio and bought Tim a new acoustic guitar. Since buying an electric guitar, we do see him playing it a lot, and getting better at it each time.
It's kind of soothing to me to listen to as he plays it. My only request is no music when I go to bed. I need silence, unlike others who need sound.
My car truly needed a vacuum job and dusting, so that was my thing to do after our day of traveling.
The boys are watching the Crankees (Yankees) and making lots of comments about the game. A long game and tied. Nice to listen to them, special bonding time.
PS They just lost the game. 17 hits and only 5 runs.
In the morning, Tim weed wacked the yard while Barry and I did some touch up mowing.
The yard looks pretty good. Have to throw some grass seed on some areas that need a bit more help.
After the yard work, we went to a graduation party. Lots of good food and friendship.
We then went over to Ohio and bought Tim a new acoustic guitar. Since buying an electric guitar, we do see him playing it a lot, and getting better at it each time.
It's kind of soothing to me to listen to as he plays it. My only request is no music when I go to bed. I need silence, unlike others who need sound.
My car truly needed a vacuum job and dusting, so that was my thing to do after our day of traveling.
The boys are watching the Crankees (Yankees) and making lots of comments about the game. A long game and tied. Nice to listen to them, special bonding time.
PS They just lost the game. 17 hits and only 5 runs.
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