Very long day. Finished chemo around 3pm this afternoon and I am at home resting. The oncologist gave me a prescription for Effexor to help with the hot flashes....I hope it goes to work very soon.
Just wanted to let you all know I am doing okay today. Going in for the Neulasta shot tomorrow morning.
Cheryl
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Almost That Time Again
Hard to believe it is time for another round of chemo. Three weeks just flies by especially since it seems I really only have two weeks of feeling okay.
My sister, Suzanne, is taking me for the chemo appointment tomorrow at 9:30. First we are going to do some walking around to help get my veins plumped up, then some kind of hot pack on my arm to really get those buggers chubby! Possibly even a little light weight lifting on the way to the doctor's office.
I plan on talking to the oncologist about something for the "chemopause" hot flashes, which occur about 2 or 3 times an hour all day and night. My body went from no hot flashes to major boil over in less than a month. I heard Effexor in a very low dose is helping other women with chemically induced menopause.
September 25th is my "simulation" appointment with the radiation oncologist. The techs will do mapping of the area, tattoo me with little spots (these are permanent) and do a practice run without radiation. The official radiation treatments are due to start 1-2 wks after the simulation, which I am guessing to be around 10/6. Treatment is five days a week for seven weeks (you get Saturday and Sunday off to heal a bit). Cross your fingers all of this cancer bleeeep is over in December so I can start off 2009 cancer free!
On a completely different subject, we had a lovely lunch with my aunt and uncle at the Davenport Roadhouse. By and Lillian drove up from Carmel, then took us to lunch. Thank you By and Lillian!!!
Tons of stuff to finish this afternoon so I can stay in bed for a few days!
One more chemo on 9/18 and I am done!!!!!!!!
Cheryl
My sister, Suzanne, is taking me for the chemo appointment tomorrow at 9:30. First we are going to do some walking around to help get my veins plumped up, then some kind of hot pack on my arm to really get those buggers chubby! Possibly even a little light weight lifting on the way to the doctor's office.
I plan on talking to the oncologist about something for the "chemopause" hot flashes, which occur about 2 or 3 times an hour all day and night. My body went from no hot flashes to major boil over in less than a month. I heard Effexor in a very low dose is helping other women with chemically induced menopause.
September 25th is my "simulation" appointment with the radiation oncologist. The techs will do mapping of the area, tattoo me with little spots (these are permanent) and do a practice run without radiation. The official radiation treatments are due to start 1-2 wks after the simulation, which I am guessing to be around 10/6. Treatment is five days a week for seven weeks (you get Saturday and Sunday off to heal a bit). Cross your fingers all of this cancer bleeeep is over in December so I can start off 2009 cancer free!
On a completely different subject, we had a lovely lunch with my aunt and uncle at the Davenport Roadhouse. By and Lillian drove up from Carmel, then took us to lunch. Thank you By and Lillian!!!
Tons of stuff to finish this afternoon so I can stay in bed for a few days!
One more chemo on 9/18 and I am done!!!!!!!!
Cheryl
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Race Weekend and other stuff
Eddy and I took off very early Friday morning for a weekend of racing at Infineon Raceway (formerly Sears Point) with the AFM. The weather cooperated with sunny skies, I felt well enough to go and Eddy was ready to get on the track again. I loved seeing everyone this weekend since I missed the races at the beginning of July. Thank you everyone at the AFM races for all of the encouragement and support....much appreciated!
Sorry for taking so long for a new post, I just haven't had anything much to say. I am tired from the chemo and lack of sleep due to the hot flashes. The lack of REM sleep is really catching up with me. I am having memory issues which could either be from chemo or lack of sleep or possibly both.
My next round of chemo is scheduled 8/28. If I made a comment regarding chemo it would contain an enormous amount of swear words, which I am sure most of you don't want to hear. Chemo is not getting over fast enough for me.
Time for me to get back to work!
Cheryl
Sorry for taking so long for a new post, I just haven't had anything much to say. I am tired from the chemo and lack of sleep due to the hot flashes. The lack of REM sleep is really catching up with me. I am having memory issues which could either be from chemo or lack of sleep or possibly both.
My next round of chemo is scheduled 8/28. If I made a comment regarding chemo it would contain an enormous amount of swear words, which I am sure most of you don't want to hear. Chemo is not getting over fast enough for me.
Time for me to get back to work!
Cheryl
Monday, August 11, 2008
Rough Round
After round three, I have issues with one of the veins in my left arm. The nurses are not be able to use the vein because of the damage and now I am very limited on IV sites.
Getting the IV in for round four of chemo took sticking my elbow in hot water, a warming pack and three needle sticks but finally we got a good vein. I am going to try using a hot pad next time, walk around the block several times to get my blood moving and use one of my dumbbells in the effort to "plump" up my veins. The alternative to the IV is having a port put in near my collarbone, but I would rather avoid more surgery and scars.
I can say this round of chemo is much harder on me than the others and I am not bouncing back as quickly. The side effects of chemo don't usually rear their ugly heads until late Friday or early Saturday but this time I felt unwell by Friday morning. I am starting to feel a bit better this evening. Note: To tell if you are starting to feel better, watch a cooking program on TV and if it doesn't make you feel like vomiting, you are on the road to recovery!
One of the side effects I started experiencing because of chemo....HOT FLASHES! I can say that doing chemo and having hot flashes is high on the list of sucky things in life. One of the reasons this round of chemo is more difficult could have to do with the lack of REM sleep. Eddy set up a fan right next to my side of the bed which I turn on when I start to "boil" over. Bet you could fry an egg on my head!
Our wonderful neighbors, Bonnie and Jeff, brought us dinner again! Roast pork, polenta and broccoli (I love polenta). It really takes a load off Eddy when he doesn't have to make dinner especially since he has already done it all weekend. Thank you so much Bonnie and Jeff.
Margie, neighbor below us, is keeping me in roses throughout treatment. I came home from chemo on Thursday to find a lovely arrangement on the door step (and they smell good because they come from her garden). Flowers really do make you smile.
Just about time for some dinner, the Olympics and more rest.
Thank you so much for all your well wishes and support!
Cheryl
Getting the IV in for round four of chemo took sticking my elbow in hot water, a warming pack and three needle sticks but finally we got a good vein. I am going to try using a hot pad next time, walk around the block several times to get my blood moving and use one of my dumbbells in the effort to "plump" up my veins. The alternative to the IV is having a port put in near my collarbone, but I would rather avoid more surgery and scars.
I can say this round of chemo is much harder on me than the others and I am not bouncing back as quickly. The side effects of chemo don't usually rear their ugly heads until late Friday or early Saturday but this time I felt unwell by Friday morning. I am starting to feel a bit better this evening. Note: To tell if you are starting to feel better, watch a cooking program on TV and if it doesn't make you feel like vomiting, you are on the road to recovery!
One of the side effects I started experiencing because of chemo....HOT FLASHES! I can say that doing chemo and having hot flashes is high on the list of sucky things in life. One of the reasons this round of chemo is more difficult could have to do with the lack of REM sleep. Eddy set up a fan right next to my side of the bed which I turn on when I start to "boil" over. Bet you could fry an egg on my head!
Our wonderful neighbors, Bonnie and Jeff, brought us dinner again! Roast pork, polenta and broccoli (I love polenta). It really takes a load off Eddy when he doesn't have to make dinner especially since he has already done it all weekend. Thank you so much Bonnie and Jeff.
Margie, neighbor below us, is keeping me in roses throughout treatment. I came home from chemo on Thursday to find a lovely arrangement on the door step (and they smell good because they come from her garden). Flowers really do make you smile.
Just about time for some dinner, the Olympics and more rest.
Thank you so much for all your well wishes and support!
Cheryl
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Off to Round 4
Off to round 4 of my treatment. My sister, Suzanne, is doing the pick up and drop off today along with getting me in for my Neulasta shot tomorrow.
The appointment today is set for 8:40, which means I really don't start until about 9:30 after getting a little blood work, meeting with the oncologist and having my chemo "cocktail" mixed. Treatment usually lasts around 4 hours. I hope to be home around 1 or 2 this afternoon.
I'll post again when I can or maybe Eddy will do it on the days I feel crappy.
Cheryl
The appointment today is set for 8:40, which means I really don't start until about 9:30 after getting a little blood work, meeting with the oncologist and having my chemo "cocktail" mixed. Treatment usually lasts around 4 hours. I hope to be home around 1 or 2 this afternoon.
I'll post again when I can or maybe Eddy will do it on the days I feel crappy.
Cheryl
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Oregon Trip Pictures
We hiked down the cliff and across this natural bridge to take a few pictures of the beautiful coast line.
This natural bridge is located at Indian Sands, one of the many places to stop along the Oregon coast.
This natural bridge is located at Indian Sands, one of the many places to stop along the Oregon coast.
Eddy on the other side of the natural bridge.
Isn't Oregon gorgeous? We didn't run into anyone else while out hiking. I just love being alone in the outdoors.
Good thing Eddy has such long arms! I am standing on a rock to make it a better photo.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Mini Vacation to Brookings Oregon
Eddy and I took a mini vacation to my mom's beach house in Brookings, Oregon. On Thursday we left around 9 am, ran a few errands then headed out on 101 to Brookings.
We had such a good time hiking, walking on the beach and just relaxing....it was wonderful. I am going to try posting pictures.
We had such a good time hiking, walking on the beach and just relaxing....it was wonderful. I am going to try posting pictures.
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