OWWWWWWWWWWWWW

That's from the pain in my hips! Only a few people kknow this, but the cancer had spread to my hip bones (the inner part). The pain is out of this world. I really don't know how else to describe it. To tell you the truth, I am quite surprised to be having this pain because it seems that the tumors are shrinking. So what's the deal? My dr has offered radiation as an option, but I've been holding out to see if it improves on its own. I am reluctant to do radiation, because as I understand it you can only radiate an area once. Therefore, I think that it should absolutely be the last resort.

That's all I have to report for the moment. I am hopeful that when I awake tomorrow the hip pain will either be gone or hardly noticeable. :)

Here I am

Oh dear! I can not believe how long it's been since my last post, but anyway HERE I AM right now. :)

Rather than bore you with a bunch of details from the days past, I'll simply state how I'm doing right now. Right now, I am doing wonderfully! Physically I feel a little tired. I had kind of a whirlwind day of giving yesterday, so that is understandable. Other than that, everything is OK. My pains are under control (I am still using the 75mcg patch + some pills). The nausea thing is also mild today. I haven't even had to take the anti-nausea pill yet! This is the first time since my last chemotherapy that this has been the case. So that's pretty cool!

So that's it. Nothing else really to report. Oh I have an appt to see the Dr on Monday for a follow-up. The next treatment will be the 6th, and that's the amount prescribed for this round. So I would like to know definitively "what now?" I mean, we've sort of covered it, but I am still not quite clear so I think another discussion is in order, and I know that the hubs has some questions of his own so...

OK. I think that about does it for now. I will be conscious to let a significantly less amount of time pass before I post again! :)

I see the light, not THAT light! :)

I mean the light at the end of the tunnel. I have gotten over the hump, that first week or so after the main chemo. It was really bad for a few days, but it has gotten better and better each day. I went in for the Avastin yesterday(Thurs). That went well. I learned that my white counts were WAY down. They were at 0.3 (a low-normal is 4.0-5.0), and I have to be vigilant the next few days as the wbcs go down to their lowest in the 7-10 window. Today is day 8. If I venture out, especially amongst a group I have to wear a mask. Fun!

I am feeling pretty good right now, and I plan to make the most of it. I have some OSF stuff to work on, and it's so nice to have my energy back to do it! I'm not sure yet, what we'll be doing for Father's day, but I think if I get plenty of rest I'll be able to hang with the guys with no problem. :)

The side effects are in full effect!

I am posting this at 4:00a.m so it counts as a Sunday post. That means it's been 3 days since my last chemo. Boy oh boy am I feeling it! The nausea, sore throat, overall fatigue, they are all keeping me company these days. So, I am just rolling with it and doing what I can, when I can. Naps are a MUST during this time period, as the fatigue is enormous. There is also the effects of the Neulasta (shot to promote white blood cell production), which is aches and pain in the bones and joints. I know, I really picnic right? LOL

Wednesday June 9th, 2010

I am so sorry that I have neglected to post in the last several days. Well, I guess could go with that old adage "no news is good news" right? LOL. I know I know. That won't cut for you "need know" types. The good thing is that I have been happily spending my time, and good health, on doing what I love - making people smile! That's really been the focus of my attention as this month my OSF blog/mission turns 1!

OK, so let's get to it. How am I feeling? Pretty good actually! I was supposed to go in to the Dr's office for blood tests today, but after I thought about it, I didn't want to make a trip to the hospital just for that. Especially if I can do it tomorrow, when I'll be there anyway for my chemotherapy appointment. So I called and one of the nurse technicians said that it would be OK to do that. Awesome! That freed up my afternoon to get some of other things done. :)

Now the big question is what to have for dinner today? We always to try to either go out, or eat something that I really like, the day before my chemo since that's the last meal I'll be able to really taste and enjoy for the next two weeks. But to tell you the truth, my mouth is still not quite right from the last chemo 3 weeks ago! Hmmm, I don't think I care too much about what to eat for dinner, but I can definitely go for some Krispy Creme donuts. That's for sure. :)

Still feeling good. :)

Toady is the "day after" the Avastin. Usually that's when the side effects of chemo start to kick in, but so far so good. The only thing I can report is feeling bit more tired than usual and just a little bit queasy, but nothing a half tab of Phrenegan (anti nausea med) can't take care of. :)

A real brief update

Had Avastin administered today. The whole thing with the "pre-meds" (anti nausea drugs etc) took about 2 hours, give or take a few minutes. I got through it with no complications. Something that I am grateful for as their was a patient there that had a seizure (or some type of shaking episode) while I was there. All in all I am feeling pretty good at the moment. I had a nice long name when we got home (after stopping for a nice lunch at Golden Corral). I am not sleepy right now, so I will try to get some OSF work done until I am. :)