I went for my bloodwork and pathology today and it looks very good I was told. I'm feeling pretty good about that and not sweating the minor side effects that I've had because they've been very tolerable so far.
My exam went well also with excellent blood pressure and no problems with infection, the mediport or any other symptoms. My oncologist said that I was doing so well that I can have next week off !
I had my mediport flushed/cleaned and was "un-hooked" from the portable pump of 5-FU and sent on my way...feeling pretty good I might add :)
On a side note, one of my cousins who is a nurse at another medical center sent me this link. You might have heard about the main author ? She has helped many to not just survive, but to eradicate their cancer : (Thanks Cheryl!)
http://www.amazon.com/Heal-Your-movie-expanded-version/dp/B000Y04R96/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_k2a_2_img?pf_rd_p=304485601&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-2&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=1561706280&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=16RD3F8NJQ8E787V10ST
Happy Birthday Dad and tomorrow is my wife, Anne's Birthday :)
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Day 2 - Second cycle of chemo
Today went pretty good. I asked about the neuropathy side effect (mainly cold sensitivity so far) and was told that Folic Acid and Vitamin B Complex should help with that, so I'll be picking some up.
Mainly just tired, but restless-type tired, if that makes any sense. My face got really red and my wife noticed it when she came home today, but I feel okay and temp is normal.
I met an interesting woman who I chatted with for quite a while. She seemed very wealthy and spoke of her home in Franklin with two horses which she absolutely adored. She has been going for a year and a half for stage IV breast cancer, but looked like she was tolerating it well and seemed to speak coherently.
I prefer the morning appointments much better than the late afternoon ones and hope that I can book more earlier ones from now on.
Mainly just tired, but restless-type tired, if that makes any sense. My face got really red and my wife noticed it when she came home today, but I feel okay and temp is normal.
I met an interesting woman who I chatted with for quite a while. She seemed very wealthy and spoke of her home in Franklin with two horses which she absolutely adored. She has been going for a year and a half for stage IV breast cancer, but looked like she was tolerating it well and seemed to speak coherently.
I prefer the morning appointments much better than the late afternoon ones and hope that I can book more earlier ones from now on.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Began 2nd (of 12) cycles today
Today was a pretty good day. My oncologist thinks that I'm doing well so far (at least he told me that). The pathology indicated that white and red blood cell counts and platelets were good.
One of the oncology nurses stabbed me with "the needle" into my mediport. The lidocaine/prilocaine mix didn't seem to help with that pain :(
She then told me that it was because I had tissue behind where the port was located and that some people don't have and they don't feel a thing. I'm not sure if I buy that, but still feel that the mediport is the way to go for anyone going through chemotherapy.
I got the anti-nausea meds first, then Oxal/LV, a short infusion of 5-FU, then was hooked up to the pump filled with 5-FU.
The nurse covered the port dressing with a big chunk of a very sticky bandage. I made it as far as the first floor, before I had to go into the restroom and use some cold water to peel back one of the sides that was pinching the hair on my chest with every little move that I made.
I got home and started to nap, then my good friend, brother-in-law and former bandmate stopped by to let me borrow his copy of Clapton's Autobiography which his daughter had got for him. (Thanks Ed and Kelly!)
Lots of family birthdays this week too. Happy Birthday to my Father, and Tom, my brother-in-law, and especially to my wife, Anne.
One of the oncology nurses stabbed me with "the needle" into my mediport. The lidocaine/prilocaine mix didn't seem to help with that pain :(
She then told me that it was because I had tissue behind where the port was located and that some people don't have and they don't feel a thing. I'm not sure if I buy that, but still feel that the mediport is the way to go for anyone going through chemotherapy.
I got the anti-nausea meds first, then Oxal/LV, a short infusion of 5-FU, then was hooked up to the pump filled with 5-FU.
The nurse covered the port dressing with a big chunk of a very sticky bandage. I made it as far as the first floor, before I had to go into the restroom and use some cold water to peel back one of the sides that was pinching the hair on my chest with every little move that I made.
I got home and started to nap, then my good friend, brother-in-law and former bandmate stopped by to let me borrow his copy of Clapton's Autobiography which his daughter had got for him. (Thanks Ed and Kelly!)
Lots of family birthdays this week too. Happy Birthday to my Father, and Tom, my brother-in-law, and especially to my wife, Anne.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
July 22, 2008 - Checkup
It continues to be warm/hot and very muggy, but I'm getting used to room temperature foods and beverages (part of the neuropathy side effect). I suppose that it could be much worse.
I went for my bloodwork and checkup today at the oncology clinic (this is an "off week" = no infusions) and I had been scratching my left side for a couple of days. The doctor noticed that I had developed some kind of rash that looks like the beginning of hives on my upper left chest and continuing under my armpit to some areas on my back. They said that it could be related to the platelet counts or maybe just a heat rash.
At any rate, they gave me a prescription for nystatin to apply three times a day. They also told me to call if it spreads or gets worse. If all goes well, I'll start my second round of chemo next Tuesday. They didn't want to schedule anymore appointmens until they see how I do on the three days of infusions next week.
I went for my bloodwork and checkup today at the oncology clinic (this is an "off week" = no infusions) and I had been scratching my left side for a couple of days. The doctor noticed that I had developed some kind of rash that looks like the beginning of hives on my upper left chest and continuing under my armpit to some areas on my back. They said that it could be related to the platelet counts or maybe just a heat rash.
At any rate, they gave me a prescription for nystatin to apply three times a day. They also told me to call if it spreads or gets worse. If all goes well, I'll start my second round of chemo next Tuesday. They didn't want to schedule anymore appointmens until they see how I do on the three days of infusions next week.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Chemobrain
A few of the patients were talking yesterday about something called "chemobrain" which they were experiencing, so I googled it and found this -
What is chemobrain?
The terms "chemobrain" and "chemofog" refer to cognitive changes during and after cancer diagnosis and treatment. Though these terms imply a relation to chemotherapy, it isn't clear that chemotherapy is responsible. What is clear is that some people with cancer do notice increased difficulties with certain mental tasks during and after cancer treatment.
In general, researchers have found that chemotherapy can affect your cognitive abilities in the following ways:
Word finding. You might find yourself reaching for the right word in conversation.
Memory. You might experience short-term memory lapses, such as not remembering where you put your keys or what you were supposed to buy at the store.
Multitasking. Many jobs require you to manage multiple tasks during the day. Multitasking is important at work as well as at home — for example, talking with your kids and making dinner at the same time. Chemotherapy may affect how well you're able to perform multiple tasks at once.
Learning. It might take longer to learn new things. For example, you might find you need to read paragraphs over a few times before you get the meaning.
Processing speed. It might take you longer to do tasks that were once quick and easy for you.
About 20 percent to 30 percent of people undergoing chemotherapy will experience cognitive impairment, though some studies report that at least half the participants had memory problems. Changes in memory during and after treatment may be very subtle. You might notice changes during your everyday tasks and as you start working again after treatment. The memory changes are often so subtle, in fact, that researchers find that people who report having memory difficulties tend to score in the normal ranges on tests of their cognitive ability. That makes it more difficult to understand, diagnose and treat the memory changes.
What causes the memory changes?
Doctors don't know what causes the cognitive changes associated with chemotherapy. It was previously thought that chemotherapy drugs didn't enter your brain, but were kept out by the blood-brain barrier, which separates chemicals that should be in your brain from those that shouldn't. But some researchers now suspect some chemotherapy drugs may be able to slip past the blood-brain barrier. This could potentially affect your brain and your memory.
It isn't clear which chemotherapy drugs are more likely to cause memory changes or if higher doses pose a bigger risk than do smaller ones. And it isn't possible to predict who's more likely to have cognitive impairment after chemotherapy.
A number of factors can cause temporary memory problems in people undergoing chemotherapy — making it difficult to identify the so-called chemobrain from the normal stresses of treatment. Temporary memory problems can, for the most part, be treated. Causes include:
Low blood counts. If your blood counts are low, you might feel tired, making it difficult to concentrate.
Stress. Being diagnosed with cancer and starting treatment is stressful. Stress also makes concentrating difficult.
Medication to treat side effects. Certain medications for treating side effects including nausea and vomiting may cause drowsiness. When you're tired, it may take longer to complete tasks.
Lingering depression. Depression is common in people with cancer. If your depression continues after your treatment, you might find it difficult to pay attention.
Lingering fatigue. Fatigue is a side effect of several types of cancer treatment, including chemotherapy. Your fatigue might end when your cancer treatment ends, though it also can continue after treatment.
"Cancer is hard...getting help shouldn't be."
What is chemobrain?
The terms "chemobrain" and "chemofog" refer to cognitive changes during and after cancer diagnosis and treatment. Though these terms imply a relation to chemotherapy, it isn't clear that chemotherapy is responsible. What is clear is that some people with cancer do notice increased difficulties with certain mental tasks during and after cancer treatment.
In general, researchers have found that chemotherapy can affect your cognitive abilities in the following ways:
Word finding. You might find yourself reaching for the right word in conversation.
Memory. You might experience short-term memory lapses, such as not remembering where you put your keys or what you were supposed to buy at the store.
Multitasking. Many jobs require you to manage multiple tasks during the day. Multitasking is important at work as well as at home — for example, talking with your kids and making dinner at the same time. Chemotherapy may affect how well you're able to perform multiple tasks at once.
Learning. It might take longer to learn new things. For example, you might find you need to read paragraphs over a few times before you get the meaning.
Processing speed. It might take you longer to do tasks that were once quick and easy for you.
About 20 percent to 30 percent of people undergoing chemotherapy will experience cognitive impairment, though some studies report that at least half the participants had memory problems. Changes in memory during and after treatment may be very subtle. You might notice changes during your everyday tasks and as you start working again after treatment. The memory changes are often so subtle, in fact, that researchers find that people who report having memory difficulties tend to score in the normal ranges on tests of their cognitive ability. That makes it more difficult to understand, diagnose and treat the memory changes.
What causes the memory changes?
Doctors don't know what causes the cognitive changes associated with chemotherapy. It was previously thought that chemotherapy drugs didn't enter your brain, but were kept out by the blood-brain barrier, which separates chemicals that should be in your brain from those that shouldn't. But some researchers now suspect some chemotherapy drugs may be able to slip past the blood-brain barrier. This could potentially affect your brain and your memory.
It isn't clear which chemotherapy drugs are more likely to cause memory changes or if higher doses pose a bigger risk than do smaller ones. And it isn't possible to predict who's more likely to have cognitive impairment after chemotherapy.
A number of factors can cause temporary memory problems in people undergoing chemotherapy — making it difficult to identify the so-called chemobrain from the normal stresses of treatment. Temporary memory problems can, for the most part, be treated. Causes include:
Low blood counts. If your blood counts are low, you might feel tired, making it difficult to concentrate.
Stress. Being diagnosed with cancer and starting treatment is stressful. Stress also makes concentrating difficult.
Medication to treat side effects. Certain medications for treating side effects including nausea and vomiting may cause drowsiness. When you're tired, it may take longer to complete tasks.
Lingering depression. Depression is common in people with cancer. If your depression continues after your treatment, you might find it difficult to pay attention.
Lingering fatigue. Fatigue is a side effect of several types of cancer treatment, including chemotherapy. Your fatigue might end when your cancer treatment ends, though it also can continue after treatment.
"Cancer is hard...getting help shouldn't be."
Thursday, July 17, 2008
First week of chemo is finished !
I had a later appointment today and noticed that my portable pump started occasionally beeping about three hours before my scheduled appointment. I called the clinic and was told that it was beeping because the dosage was getting low, but after being asked and reading what was left, the nurse told me that there would be enough to last until I got there.
In driving to the clinic, I noticed that it was down to only 002, then 001 when I walked into the building. I had just sat down when it started beeping and didn't stop and the nurse came over and took the battery out of it and said "you're done." She then "unhooked me" and flushed the port and said I was good to go.
Before leaving, I spoke with my oncologist and was given some samples of Senokot, to help things move, so to speak. Other than that, I've had no nausea or feeling sick at all, just some mild sensitivity to cold beverages and food and some minor tingling in my fingertips, but very tolerable at this point.
I can only hope that every week goes as well as this, but I'm a realist and trying not to get ahead of myself and will take things as they come. I've learned that life IS a gift and you must stop and smell the roses when you can.
In driving to the clinic, I noticed that it was down to only 002, then 001 when I walked into the building. I had just sat down when it started beeping and didn't stop and the nurse came over and took the battery out of it and said "you're done." She then "unhooked me" and flushed the port and said I was good to go.
Before leaving, I spoke with my oncologist and was given some samples of Senokot, to help things move, so to speak. Other than that, I've had no nausea or feeling sick at all, just some mild sensitivity to cold beverages and food and some minor tingling in my fingertips, but very tolerable at this point.
I can only hope that every week goes as well as this, but I'm a realist and trying not to get ahead of myself and will take things as they come. I've learned that life IS a gift and you must stop and smell the roses when you can.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
2nd Day of Chemo (First week session)
Since my treatment plan (Folfox) is a 3-day every other week curative approach with just bloodwork done on the off-weeks, after this week, I will only be posting one weekly update unless there are some unanticipated issues that come up that I feel might help someone who is reading this blog because they have or know someone in the same situation.
Today went pretty well and not quite as long because they only did the sign-in bloodwork and then about a two-hour transfusion of Leucovorin followed by a quick injection of 5-FU and refilled my holster-pump of 5-FU which will be injected over the next 22 hours again.
I had a little bit of neuropathy side effects (cold sensitivity) to ice cream and beverages with ice, so will keep an eye out for that. One of the oncolgy nurses said that by Saturday, it might not bother me as much? They had told me that the 5-FU would/could cause diarreah, but so far it hasn't, although I may get constipated from the anti-nausea meds they told me. Mostly the combined major side effect I'm feeling is fatigue and chemobrain.
Today went pretty well and not quite as long because they only did the sign-in bloodwork and then about a two-hour transfusion of Leucovorin followed by a quick injection of 5-FU and refilled my holster-pump of 5-FU which will be injected over the next 22 hours again.
I had a little bit of neuropathy side effects (cold sensitivity) to ice cream and beverages with ice, so will keep an eye out for that. One of the oncolgy nurses said that by Saturday, it might not bother me as much? They had told me that the 5-FU would/could cause diarreah, but so far it hasn't, although I may get constipated from the anti-nausea meds they told me. Mostly the combined major side effect I'm feeling is fatigue and chemobrain.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
First Day of Chemotherapy
Today went pretty good. I got there at 10:00am and had bloodwork, then went up to the fourth floor and was examined by my oncologist and he looked over my bloodwork results. He thought that my right side looked a little "puffy" and decided to not take the strips off the port yet.
Then I went into one of the three infusion rooms and I'm glad that I wore long pants and a long sleeved shirt (even on this summer day). One of the oncology nurses took me aside and inserted the needle into the mediport. It pinched a little, actually a lot! She suggested I use a mixture of Lidocaine/Prilocaine 2.5% each and I picked up the presciption on my way home. I'll use the numbing mixture in 14 days when I begin the second treatment session.
Other than that, things went very well. First I was given a double drip IV of two anti-nausea meds, (Aloxi and Decadron), which took about an hour or so. After that I was given another double IV drip of chemo drugs (Oxaliplatin and Leucovorin) for about two hours. I was able to eat a little food and felt okay after this was done.
Lastly, the gave me a short injection via IV of 5-FU (Fluorouracil) and "hooked me up" to a pump of the 5-FU which will continually inject me for 22 hours. I really don't feel too bad right now aside from a little fatigue, but will have a nap and watch the MLB All-Star Game tonight. I'm picking the American League to win!
Stay tuned as things progress...day 2 starts at 10:30am tomorrow.
Then I went into one of the three infusion rooms and I'm glad that I wore long pants and a long sleeved shirt (even on this summer day). One of the oncology nurses took me aside and inserted the needle into the mediport. It pinched a little, actually a lot! She suggested I use a mixture of Lidocaine/Prilocaine 2.5% each and I picked up the presciption on my way home. I'll use the numbing mixture in 14 days when I begin the second treatment session.
Other than that, things went very well. First I was given a double drip IV of two anti-nausea meds, (Aloxi and Decadron), which took about an hour or so. After that I was given another double IV drip of chemo drugs (Oxaliplatin and Leucovorin) for about two hours. I was able to eat a little food and felt okay after this was done.
Lastly, the gave me a short injection via IV of 5-FU (Fluorouracil) and "hooked me up" to a pump of the 5-FU which will continually inject me for 22 hours. I really don't feel too bad right now aside from a little fatigue, but will have a nap and watch the MLB All-Star Game tonight. I'm picking the American League to win!
Stay tuned as things progress...day 2 starts at 10:30am tomorrow.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Mediport Surgery
I was a little surprised to find out that my surgeon wouldn't be doing the mediport implant, but rather a trained radiologist. I believe that the proper title is an interventional radiologist.
At any rate, it was about a 90 minute procedure where I received two incisions. One was a small one where the catheter (tube) connects to a vein near my collarbone and the other was in my upper right chest where they put in a Bard dual chestport.
I have to keep a Medical Alert card with me now that explains that I have this implanted port with catheter in me. It gives the product code, lot number, where located, date of implant and three procedures for flushing/cleaning depending on the use of it. It can only be accessed with non-coring needles.
So, at this point, I'm ready to begin chemotherapy in on July 15th and I'll update this as I go along or have my wife write some of the updates.
At any rate, it was about a 90 minute procedure where I received two incisions. One was a small one where the catheter (tube) connects to a vein near my collarbone and the other was in my upper right chest where they put in a Bard dual chestport.
I have to keep a Medical Alert card with me now that explains that I have this implanted port with catheter in me. It gives the product code, lot number, where located, date of implant and three procedures for flushing/cleaning depending on the use of it. It can only be accessed with non-coring needles.
So, at this point, I'm ready to begin chemotherapy in on July 15th and I'll update this as I go along or have my wife write some of the updates.
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