It's taking me a lot longer to recover from the last round of chemo than any of the others. I still have numbness and tingling in my hands and particularly my feet (neuropathy); and I've developed a rash on my legs, which never happened before. If my doctors' goal was that I do as many rounds as my body could take, it looks like they met it. But I'm doing OK otherwise, pretty alert and some energy, and able to go out and do some things like the hockey game Wednesday and football tomorrow in Charlottesville.
The other unfortunate news is that my insurance company would not approve the 5-day radiation protocol that my doctor recommended, as they categorize it as experimental. Instead I have to do 25-30 treatments, in the Baltimore area, which obviously is going to be a lot more time and hassle. When I get the schedule from them (Monday?) I'm going to ask for volunteers who might want to take me a time or two, I guess for the pleasure of my company? So I'll post it here or send an email.
Finally, I posted a new essay on the other blog. You can find it here: http://rickstrailnotes.blogspot.com/. If you like it I'd love to hear from you, it's more fun when I know people enjoy my work. Of course I like hearing from you anyway! Happy Holidays!
Friday, November 27, 2015
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
It's been a very tough few days, the last two in particular. Upset stomach and nasty headaches... I'm glad I don't get migraines, whew! Took lots of meds yesterday. Feeling better this morning, but still groggy and tingling, especially in my feet.
It seems like the Chemo God didn't want to let me finish without one more reminder of who is the boss. I get it, I will promise to show due respect. But I think by Friday I'll be feeling much better.
I think I may be able to concentrate well enough to start reading books again. that would be a welcome change. Really looking forward to good food again soon, too.
That's all for now, Happy Thanksgiving to all!
It seems like the Chemo God didn't want to let me finish without one more reminder of who is the boss. I get it, I will promise to show due respect. But I think by Friday I'll be feeling much better.
I think I may be able to concentrate well enough to start reading books again. that would be a welcome change. Really looking forward to good food again soon, too.
That's all for now, Happy Thanksgiving to all!
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Round 12, day 4. I'm feeling very drugged today, like moving through jello, with lots of tingling in my extremities. To be expected at this point, but it's hard to do much other than drift from bed to couch and back again.
It hasn't sunk in that this is the last round. I can't believe that I got through 12 rounds and that it is really over, especially feeling like I do now. Six months of this... has to be the most mentally challenging thing I have ever done. I probably have another 4-5 days of the drugged feeling, then I should be gradually getting better each day.
I start radiation treatments on the 30th, for 5 consecutive days. I'll be going to Hopkins in Baltimore each day for that, for about 90 minutes each time. Last week they put implants on the tumors to direct the rays, and targets on my chest to line up the machine. I'm expecting to feel somewhat tired during those treatments, but nothing like chemo. And hoping for great results.
In the meantime, looking forward to Carly's soccer tournament in Richmond on the 21st and 22nd, and hoping my folks will be able to make it here for Thanksgiving.
Thank you for keeping up with my progress, and for all the great support and encouragement you have given me!
It hasn't sunk in that this is the last round. I can't believe that I got through 12 rounds and that it is really over, especially feeling like I do now. Six months of this... has to be the most mentally challenging thing I have ever done. I probably have another 4-5 days of the drugged feeling, then I should be gradually getting better each day.
I start radiation treatments on the 30th, for 5 consecutive days. I'll be going to Hopkins in Baltimore each day for that, for about 90 minutes each time. Last week they put implants on the tumors to direct the rays, and targets on my chest to line up the machine. I'm expecting to feel somewhat tired during those treatments, but nothing like chemo. And hoping for great results.
In the meantime, looking forward to Carly's soccer tournament in Richmond on the 21st and 22nd, and hoping my folks will be able to make it here for Thanksgiving.
Thank you for keeping up with my progress, and for all the great support and encouragement you have given me!
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Just beginning to feel better from round 11; it's been a long 9 days, and I've been too cranky to communicate with anyone. I'm so glad chemo is almost over.
Today I had a CT scan and met with the radiologist. The scan showed no change from the last one, which is basically good news. The main issue, as it has been, is the smaller of the two masses which is entwined with blood vessels and lymph nodes, and it is hard to tell from the scan whether it has receded from them. Tomorrow they will implant 3 gold pieces on each tumor, which will serve as targets when they do radiation the first week of December. They do this via an endoscopy, which is using instruments to go through my esophagus and stomach. It's really pretty cool, though it would be a lot cooler if they were doing it on somebody else. They did this back in May for a biopsy, so I know it's not a big deal.
Monday I start my last round of chemotherapy. I expect to start feeling a lot better around Thanksgiving... should be a pretty happy holiday.
My best to you all, loyal readers and friends. Would love to hear from you!
Today I had a CT scan and met with the radiologist. The scan showed no change from the last one, which is basically good news. The main issue, as it has been, is the smaller of the two masses which is entwined with blood vessels and lymph nodes, and it is hard to tell from the scan whether it has receded from them. Tomorrow they will implant 3 gold pieces on each tumor, which will serve as targets when they do radiation the first week of December. They do this via an endoscopy, which is using instruments to go through my esophagus and stomach. It's really pretty cool, though it would be a lot cooler if they were doing it on somebody else. They did this back in May for a biopsy, so I know it's not a big deal.
Monday I start my last round of chemotherapy. I expect to start feeling a lot better around Thanksgiving... should be a pretty happy holiday.
My best to you all, loyal readers and friends. Would love to hear from you!
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