Evanescence - Bring Me to Life August 14
This is the song I play when I feel like flipping off certain people or the world in general. I picked this as my chemo song for Friday ... cuz I really want to flip off cancer!!
So the last word on the cancer battle is I was on antibiotics because my white blood cell count was elevated, along with ANC, typically indicative of an infection. Well, labs came back negative. I stopped the antibiotics after two days.
I meet with Rachel again. My ankles are still a bit swollen. We drop the steroids down to 2 or 2.5. Rachel talked about a possible diuretic for three days to help the swelling. I suggested that we wait until after we drop the steroids and do the PET on the 28th, then reassess. She agreed.
My throat started hurting right before going to my appointment. They take this stuff very seriously. I had to wait in the lobby until I was cleared to go up. Rachel checked my throat and saw stuff consistent with sinus drainage from allergies causing the sore throat. I am to gargle with salt water to help. I take Tylenol when I get home and it goes away.
Blood results are not posted still, but Rachel did tell me my white blood cells were down to 5, still in normal range. Red blood cells improving. I am not anemic. Liver enzymes are great. Off to do steroids and chemo.
Another session down. I feel fine. Onward!
Cathy came in for a visit! Don't worry - she self quarantined for two weeks before heading my way. Cathy helped me hang family pictures in my office. Actually, I watched Cathy hang family pictures in my office. My job was to find suitable pictures and frames. It looks great! We play cards, read, and just overall relax. Mike was stellar in the kitchen with enchiladas and pulled pork. Heaven! Cathy treated us to dinner Monday night before heading home on Tuesday (no, we didn't go out ... pick picked up). All in all a great visit! I also go a homemade cobbler out of the deal.
Andy Grammer - Don't Give Up on Me August 21
I am finishing up cycle three today. Yeah! I made it! I see Josh today (aka Duggie Houser). My weight is down by a couple of pounds. Also, no swelling in the ankles. Lowering the steroids is already helping. I am noticing that I am more nauseous, but still not requiring medication. I told him let's still with the 2 to 2.5 for now. Maybe we will go off them completely soon.
Josh told me to be sure to let them know if I make any major diet changes or something. He knows I want to lose about 15 pounds. They get concerned when you start dropping weight. I told him my plan was to go for 2 to 3 pounds a month at the most. Change my diet, exercise program to something sustainable; don't try to lose it all too fast, only to gain it back ... and more ... later.
We go over the bloodwork. White blood cell counts are up to 7.5, still normal. Red blood cells in normal range. Liver enzymes are good. Calcium is low but nothing to worry about. All in all, chemo queen continues to handle this stuff like a boss!!
I go to ARC early Thursday morning for thyroid labs (they have been trending low; we adjusted the dose; checking to see if we need to up it again - cancer plays havoc on how your body handles thyroid hormones). We do a PET on Friday at 8 AM, then head to Texas Oncology for labs to check tumor markers. I should have results Monday or Tuesday. I will ask if I can do a telemed visit with Dr. Kocs on results instead of having to wait a week.
I think this stuff is working, but I don't know how much. The one tumor I can feel is going down but it seems to have regained some ground during my off week. I am feeling my liver more these days, which typically means it is swollen and angry. Well, I'm angry too because of the two spots on the liver. Those are the suckers that we are most worried about these days and we have to get a handle on it. Hoping we don't have new tumors sneaking in again. I hate cancer!!
Send positive thoughts my way on August 28!!
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