I’m feeling pretty good - Sunday, April 1, 2007
Day 125-126 – Round 3, Cycle 2, Day 20-21 (Sat-Sun, 3/31-4/1/07)
Of course I feel pretty good. Today is the last day before treatment starts again. Went to Palm Sunday services this morning, and am attending a church function tonight. Tomorrow I go to Dr L’s office, then go through the frustration of checking into the hospital — it’s no Hilton or Holiday Inn for sure.
I must try to keep a positive attitude, because after all, Monday starts the last round – Yahoo! Off to my meeting now.
That’s it for this day. Thank you for your prayers, emails, cards, and phone calls. God bless you all, and may God bless me, and my family, and the medical team on my case.
Hospital Check-in was smooth - Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Day 127 – Round 4, Cycle 1, Day 1 (Mon, 4/2/07)
Went to Dr L’s office for some lab test before admittance to CMC. WBC was within normal range; Platelets were almost to the minimum; RBC and Hemoglobin were both low.
I was told that CMC had a room available for me, and sure enough, when I arrived I was given the room number. The premeds (Mesna) started about 2 and my chemo (Cytoxan) started about 3pm. The Mesna runs for 72 hours, and the Cytoxan runs for 3 hours, and repeats every 12 hours. Hope to be sent home sometime late Thursday afternoon. So the check-in part went smooth. We’ll see about the check-out.
So, the day was okay. Hospital food hasn’t gotten any better — and believe me, there is plenty of room for improvement.
That’s it for this day. Thank you for your prayers, emails, cards, and phone calls. God bless you all, and may God bless me, and my family, and the medical team on my case.
A good day, all things considered - Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Day 128 – Round 4, Cycle 1, Day 2 (Tue, 4/3/07)
Tuesday was pretty much uneventful, except that the wireless internet went out about 3pm. Came back (very sluggish) at about 9am today – bummer.
But I guess if that is the worst of my problems, I’m doing pretty good.
I’ve now had 4 of my 6 doses of Cytoxan, and am still on schedule to leave here about 2pm Thursday.
My stomach is a little queasy. I don’t remember this from previous times on cycle 1. Guess this just a cumulative problem, but fortunately, it’s the last time through for cycle 1 (smile).
Visitor: SW stopped by for a visit on Tuesday. Thanks SW, and thanks for the gift.
That’s it for this day. Thank you for your prayers, emails, cards, and phone calls. God bless you all, and may God bless me, and my family, and the medical team on my case.
Another okay day, I guess - Thursday, April 5, 2007
Day 129 – Round 4, Cycle 1, Day 3 (Wed, 4/4/07)
Another pretty routine day Wednesday at CMC. Got a couple of phone calls, and had a visitor (RR) stop by. Verna stopped by with lunch from Chick-Fil-A, so that was a nice change — both from the extra visit, and the good lunch. Of course she is almost always here for supper as well. A great partner of almost 43 years now.
Starting in cycle 1 of Round 2 (I think) they started taking my blood sugar because of the meds they are giving me during this cycle. I’m not diabetic, but they give me insulin to keep my blood sugar in better limits. Wednesday it hit 499, which they seemed a bit concerned about, but after insulin injection it was back down to 368 or there about, and by Thursday morning it was 168 — still a little high, but I guess I’ll survive. Dr L said this morning that he was going to not give me the steroids today and that should help.
Well, not much more for Wednesday, so I’ll jump ahead to Thursday, which should be interesting.
That’s it for this day. Thank you for your prayers, emails, cards, and phone calls. God bless you all, and may God bless me, and my family, and the medical team on my case.
Going home today, maybe early! - Thursday, April 5, 2007
Day 130 – Round 4, Cycle 1, Day 4 (Thu, 4/5/07)
This could be an interesting day. It’s always interesting to leave on cycle 1 because of the hook up with the Adriamycin. I’ve had conversations on Tuesday and Wednesday as to who was going to hook me up, and disconnect me. As of yesterday, one group was going to come by the hospital to hook me up at 2:30pm and another group was going to come by my house on Easter Sunday to disconnect me. This morning Dr L came by and said that we’re going get you out by 10:30am, so now they need to see if everything can be moved up — lot’s of luck will be needed here.
9:26am update — Nurse came by and said it still looks like 10:30 (or thereabouts is a good time — I’ll believe that when I see myself walking out the door). More later…
Well, miracles do happen. Everything worked out as planned, and I was able to leave at 10:30am. WOW! checked in without waiting, and checked out early. That was nice.
I’ll go back in the hospital in three weeks (from last Monday) for what I hope will be my final chemo treatments!!! That will be even better — Praise the LORD!
That’s it for this day. Thank you for your prayers, emails, cards, and phone calls. God bless you all, and may God bless me, and my family, and the medical team on my case.
Doing okay, just a little tired - Saturday, April 7, 2007
Day 131-132 – Round 4, Cycle 1, Day 5-6 (Fri-Sat, 4/6-7/07)
As the title says, I’m just a little tired. Was able to attend church Thursday and Friday evening. I still have my Adriamycin attached to me, and will have until about 6pm on Sunday. It is continuing to take its toll, and zapping my energy. Hope I have enough left in the morning to attend Easter services. Either way, I know the Lord will be with me.
Got up late this morning (about 9am), and took a two hour nap this afternoon — both of which are unusual for me.
Hope that all of you will have a Blessed Easter.
That’s it for this day. Thank you for your prayers, emails, cards, and phone calls. God bless you all, and may God bless me, and my family, and the medical team on my case.
Happy Easter Everyone! - Monday, April 9, 2007
Day 133 – Round 4, Cycle 1, Day 7 (Sun, 4/8/07)
Today is Easter, and I made it to church. My legs were a little like rubber, but I made it. Every day is a great day.
After church I came home and took a nap for about an hour. Felt much better afterward. Verna fixed a very nice Easter dinner which I really enjoyed!!!
Didn’t do much in the afternoon, except for when the nurse came by to disconnect my chemo pump (For the last time). Now my body has two weeks to recoup until my next, and last treatment. 19 weeks down, and 5 to go, but who’s counting?
That’s it for this day. Thank you for your prayers, emails, cards, and phone calls. God bless you all, and may God bless me, and my family, and the medical team on my case.
A couple of pretty good days - Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Day 134-135 – Round 4, Cycle 1, Day 8-9 (Mon-Tue, 4/9-10/07)
Monday and Tuesday have been a couple of pretty good days, all things considered. Strength is low, but getting better. Went to Dr L’s office on Monday for a Neulasta shot, and blood tests. Blood counts are low, but no transfusions until later in the week. This is the week that I avoid people because of my immune system.
Got a new telephoto lens for my camera Monday via UPS, so I’ve been shooting birds this week. That sort of keeps me out of trouble.
Side effects: Numbness of toes and fingers; appetite not what it normally is; GIT is actually better than I thought it would be (Thank You Lord).
4 weeks and 5 days, but who’s counting.
That’s it for this day. Thank you for your prayers, emails, cards, and phone calls. God bless you all, and may God bless me, and my family, and the medical team on my case.