Tuesday, May 14, 2013:
Just to give everyone an idea of how this chemo is 'working' on me, yesterday, Monday I had a few ball caps that needed washing. I ran some water in the kitchen sink, dumped them in, put some soap on them and started brushing them clean with a fingernail brush. It was easy work except for the fact that after about a minute of brushing the first one I had to get a chair to sit down in because I got so tired. After resting for a couple of minutes I started again. After brushing for another minute, my forearm muscles were so fatigued I had to rest again. This cycle continued until I had completed all the washing then I rested again and I was done for the day.
Today I absolutely over did it. I had an eye doctor's appointment for my annual check up. I was there for about 2 hours. I left there and went to Mom's, gave her a haircut and visited with her and Bill and my sister Brenda for about another 2 hours. When I left there I had to go to Kmart. I was there for about a half hour and did not think I would be have enough energy to get to the parking lot and then home. I absolutely had 'run out of gas'!! I did, of course, make it home o.k. and I was toast for the rest of the day. So, this is a sample of a couple of days in the life of a chemo patient. Yuck! Tomorrow I have nothing planned so I can rest up for the sonogram I will have on Thursday. I may not be able to update this until next week to let you know what the results are so don't worry. I know it will be good news. I am having trouble finding the lump which means it is shrinking. I do hope that my friends that are going through this right now are having a better time of it than I am. God bless you all!!
Glenda
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Today is Sunday, Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day to all......
Sunday, 5-12-2013:
All was going pretty well, or at least as well as I expected, until about 2 a.m. Saturday morning. I woke up and felt as bad as I ever had while going through this chemo. I felt as though I had both the worse hangover plus a bad case of food poisoning you could imagine. I haven't had the stomach distress that goes along with it, thank God. I felt soooo bad I prayed for the Lord to help me get through it. It was horrible. I decided to get up about 3:30 a.m. and stayed up for a couple of hours then went back to bed at 5:30 a.m. I finally got back up about 12:30 p.m. I felt some better and tried to eat a little bit and went back to bed around 7 p.m. All night long I tossed and turned, rolled and rolled, sweated and froze. This morning (Sunday) I felt a little better but my bone ache came back about noon. My head is feeling like it is in a vice. Hopefully the Tylenol will knock out some of the discomfort. I really don't want to take the Allegra since the non drowsy kind made me so sleepy. Wayne had cooked some bacon before I woke up this morning and when I started to smell it I had to get outside in a hurry. I could not stand the smell of it. After a while I went back inside and it was a little better. I managed to eat half a piece of bacon and about half of a scrambled egg. I have lost 22 lbs. since the beginning of this process. My tongue feels swollen and blistered, my throat is sore, my lip is trying to blister and my tongue burns. The Doctor said there is nothing that can be done about it. My skin is beginning to feel and look like tree bark. My fingertips are numb and the bottom of my feet feel like they are asleep. My face and hands feel as if they are sunburned and will soon peel. Hopefully things will settle down in my system and I will feel better soon.
Glenda
All was going pretty well, or at least as well as I expected, until about 2 a.m. Saturday morning. I woke up and felt as bad as I ever had while going through this chemo. I felt as though I had both the worse hangover plus a bad case of food poisoning you could imagine. I haven't had the stomach distress that goes along with it, thank God. I felt soooo bad I prayed for the Lord to help me get through it. It was horrible. I decided to get up about 3:30 a.m. and stayed up for a couple of hours then went back to bed at 5:30 a.m. I finally got back up about 12:30 p.m. I felt some better and tried to eat a little bit and went back to bed around 7 p.m. All night long I tossed and turned, rolled and rolled, sweated and froze. This morning (Sunday) I felt a little better but my bone ache came back about noon. My head is feeling like it is in a vice. Hopefully the Tylenol will knock out some of the discomfort. I really don't want to take the Allegra since the non drowsy kind made me so sleepy. Wayne had cooked some bacon before I woke up this morning and when I started to smell it I had to get outside in a hurry. I could not stand the smell of it. After a while I went back inside and it was a little better. I managed to eat half a piece of bacon and about half of a scrambled egg. I have lost 22 lbs. since the beginning of this process. My tongue feels swollen and blistered, my throat is sore, my lip is trying to blister and my tongue burns. The Doctor said there is nothing that can be done about it. My skin is beginning to feel and look like tree bark. My fingertips are numb and the bottom of my feet feel like they are asleep. My face and hands feel as if they are sunburned and will soon peel. Hopefully things will settle down in my system and I will feel better soon.
Glenda
Friday, May 10, 2013
Chemo update......
Friday, 5-10-2013
I want to give a shout out to all my friends at work. I miss you and I am doing well. Feel free to call me if you like.
Hugs to you all. Also a big shout out to my friend and backpacking buddy in Ohio who will be leaving this weekend to head to Tennessee for a training hike/orientation to prepare her to hike the Appalachian Trail with Warren Doyle. You go Patti!! I love you. I was supposed to go with her but the little c got in the way and messed up those plans. Hopefully I will be able to do another one Warren is holding in September. Do a search on this guy if you like hiking or would like to hike the AT. He is quite a guy and an older one at that!! Hahahaha.
Sorry I haven't updated lately but I have been busy. I had a really good week prior to my chemo treatment which was on Wed. the 8th and I am still having a good week up to this point after my treatment. Hallelujah!! I was able to get out into my flower beds and do some weeding and also got the screened in porch furniture and screens and enclosure cleaned of all the pollen that was EVERYWHERE. I actually felt useful once again. Praise the Lord.
The day of my treatment was o.k. I was a little tired and probably one of the most annoying things I have to deal with is not being able to get a full nights sleep. Out of 5 days I might get one night of really good rest. So, I got sleepy having my treatment and took a much needed nap. Later that night I started feeling really, really tired and went to bed early (7:30 Wed.) and went right off to sleep. I did not sleep well and got up early and had the Dr.s office work me in early to get my Neulasta shot. After I ran some errands and got back home I took my 'day after chemo steroid pills' and once it kicked in I had enough energy for two people! Hahahaha. I actually started taking the furniture off the deck and put it in the yard on Tuesday and finally it got a much needed cleaning. Wayne has been busy getting the yard back in shape so he has had his hands full with all that and it is looking good. Just wish the weeds would go away. Today, Friday, I put up some strawberries after breakfast and then took on the task of getting my medical bills caught up and making sure my numbers matched the ins. companies. They did up to a point and I came to realize I have overpaid one doctor and owe another doctor double what I will get back from the overpaid one but then....I will have met all my deductibles. Whew! And, thank God I have insurance even though we got it socked to us with the last contract the Union agreed to. They really rolled over for G.E.
This afternoon I started having my 'bone ache' and as usual it is in my middle back around my ribs. Normally a couple of Tylenol with knock it out but not this time. I finally took an Allegra. I know, it's for allergies but it is also good for bone aches. I think it has helped somewhat but this non-drowsy stuff has made me drowsy. Go figure!
At my chemo treatment I took some more photos of my new friend Jen and another new friend Brigette. Jen's little girl wants to see what it looks like where her Mom goes for treatment so I took a few and will post them below.
I want to give a shout out to all my friends at work. I miss you and I am doing well. Feel free to call me if you like.
Hugs to you all. Also a big shout out to my friend and backpacking buddy in Ohio who will be leaving this weekend to head to Tennessee for a training hike/orientation to prepare her to hike the Appalachian Trail with Warren Doyle. You go Patti!! I love you. I was supposed to go with her but the little c got in the way and messed up those plans. Hopefully I will be able to do another one Warren is holding in September. Do a search on this guy if you like hiking or would like to hike the AT. He is quite a guy and an older one at that!! Hahahaha.
Sorry I haven't updated lately but I have been busy. I had a really good week prior to my chemo treatment which was on Wed. the 8th and I am still having a good week up to this point after my treatment. Hallelujah!! I was able to get out into my flower beds and do some weeding and also got the screened in porch furniture and screens and enclosure cleaned of all the pollen that was EVERYWHERE. I actually felt useful once again. Praise the Lord.
The day of my treatment was o.k. I was a little tired and probably one of the most annoying things I have to deal with is not being able to get a full nights sleep. Out of 5 days I might get one night of really good rest. So, I got sleepy having my treatment and took a much needed nap. Later that night I started feeling really, really tired and went to bed early (7:30 Wed.) and went right off to sleep. I did not sleep well and got up early and had the Dr.s office work me in early to get my Neulasta shot. After I ran some errands and got back home I took my 'day after chemo steroid pills' and once it kicked in I had enough energy for two people! Hahahaha. I actually started taking the furniture off the deck and put it in the yard on Tuesday and finally it got a much needed cleaning. Wayne has been busy getting the yard back in shape so he has had his hands full with all that and it is looking good. Just wish the weeds would go away. Today, Friday, I put up some strawberries after breakfast and then took on the task of getting my medical bills caught up and making sure my numbers matched the ins. companies. They did up to a point and I came to realize I have overpaid one doctor and owe another doctor double what I will get back from the overpaid one but then....I will have met all my deductibles. Whew! And, thank God I have insurance even though we got it socked to us with the last contract the Union agreed to. They really rolled over for G.E.
This afternoon I started having my 'bone ache' and as usual it is in my middle back around my ribs. Normally a couple of Tylenol with knock it out but not this time. I finally took an Allegra. I know, it's for allergies but it is also good for bone aches. I think it has helped somewhat but this non-drowsy stuff has made me drowsy. Go figure!
At my chemo treatment I took some more photos of my new friend Jen and another new friend Brigette. Jen's little girl wants to see what it looks like where her Mom goes for treatment so I took a few and will post them below.
Cape Fear Cancer Specialists
(This is owned by New Hanover Regional Medical Center)
The Building
Funny how there are no signs on the building.
Jen hooked up to her Chemo
View of the room from my chair. Jen is across from me.
More of the room from my viewpoint.
Jen and me
My new friend Brigette, what a doll baby she is.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
The spots are back......
Sunday, 4-28-2013:
A few days ago I began having mouth blisters. Since then I have gradually begun to have very sensitive skin on my face and hands. It feels like a sunburn. This has happened before. The spots I have experienced in the past are back on my face. My lips and tongue feel as if they have been constantly exposed to hot sauce. I know this is all temporary and will go away soon. I will just have to deal with it.
Glenda
A few days ago I began having mouth blisters. Since then I have gradually begun to have very sensitive skin on my face and hands. It feels like a sunburn. This has happened before. The spots I have experienced in the past are back on my face. My lips and tongue feel as if they have been constantly exposed to hot sauce. I know this is all temporary and will go away soon. I will just have to deal with it.
Glenda
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Video of my haircut..........
This was taken on March, 23, 2013. Wayne gave me the buzzcut and my sister Wanda assisted.
TKO of little bird.......
This is my second post today, Thursday, April 25, 2013:
We have a large bay window in our living room. I heard something hit the window and caught a glimpse of a bird that had crashed into it. It is a regular occurrence and if anyone has any suggestions on how to prevent it, let me know. Anyway, I looked out onto the porch and saw a bird thrashing about. I went out onto the porch and the bird was obviously dazed. I picked it up, brought it into the house and got my camera and began a video.......
See below for the rest of the story after the video,
We have a large bay window in our living room. I heard something hit the window and caught a glimpse of a bird that had crashed into it. It is a regular occurrence and if anyone has any suggestions on how to prevent it, let me know. Anyway, I looked out onto the porch and saw a bird thrashing about. I went out onto the porch and the bird was obviously dazed. I picked it up, brought it into the house and got my camera and began a video.......
See below for the rest of the story after the video,
I was calling this little bird 'she' but it turns out it is a he and it is a Common Yellowthroat Warbler. The males have the black mask. It took this little bird about 5 minutes to fully revive. I checked it's wings and legs for breaks and they appeared to be o.k. Shortly after I quit videoing I went to move him to a safer place than the brick ledge so he would not get eaten by predators. I picked him up then sat him back down and off he went into the trees. I think he will be alright. Yaaaay!
My tongue has been slashed by razor blades........
Thursday, April 25, 2013:
I had planned to go back to work today because I thought I was ready. Well, sleeplessness has overtaken me again for two nights in a row as well as intestinal distress. I was not able to get to sleep until after 4 a.m. but I got up at 8:30 a.m. in hopes that I will be able to sleep tonight. My tongue feels as if I have been licking razor blades! My lips are on fire as though I have been sucking on a rag full of crushed habanero peppers. Holy cow, what next?! I tried to eat around 11 a.m. and could not find anything that had any taste. I was able to drink a coke but it was still strange tasting. It tasted better than the water I have been trying to drink large amounts of. Around noon I decided to try some steamed cabbage. Up to this point I have been less sensitive to salt. On the foods I have been able to eat I have to put extra salt to make it eatable. So, I salted the cabbage and took a bite. It was super, super salty!! Yech!!! It was lukewarm because my mouth has become sensitive to heat. I managed to get most of it down and then my normal thing to do after eating is to floss and brush my teeth then use regular mouthwash and if I am having trouble with my mouth I use the special mouthwash that has been prescribed. Before I started the flossing I stuck out my tongue and looked in the mirror. My tongue was full of blisters and was all wrinkly looking. Wow! I had heard about the blisters but it was my first time to experience them. I am posting a photo below but I am not sure if you will be able to see the tiny little blisters all over my tongue.
I had planned to go back to work today because I thought I was ready. Well, sleeplessness has overtaken me again for two nights in a row as well as intestinal distress. I was not able to get to sleep until after 4 a.m. but I got up at 8:30 a.m. in hopes that I will be able to sleep tonight. My tongue feels as if I have been licking razor blades! My lips are on fire as though I have been sucking on a rag full of crushed habanero peppers. Holy cow, what next?! I tried to eat around 11 a.m. and could not find anything that had any taste. I was able to drink a coke but it was still strange tasting. It tasted better than the water I have been trying to drink large amounts of. Around noon I decided to try some steamed cabbage. Up to this point I have been less sensitive to salt. On the foods I have been able to eat I have to put extra salt to make it eatable. So, I salted the cabbage and took a bite. It was super, super salty!! Yech!!! It was lukewarm because my mouth has become sensitive to heat. I managed to get most of it down and then my normal thing to do after eating is to floss and brush my teeth then use regular mouthwash and if I am having trouble with my mouth I use the special mouthwash that has been prescribed. Before I started the flossing I stuck out my tongue and looked in the mirror. My tongue was full of blisters and was all wrinkly looking. Wow! I had heard about the blisters but it was my first time to experience them. I am posting a photo below but I am not sure if you will be able to see the tiny little blisters all over my tongue.
Well enough for now. I am going to make another post now about a little bird I met today......
Hahahaha.
Glenda
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