I had my bloodwork done and the pathology reports indicated some low levels, but still in range, so I began my 5th cycle today.
As soon as I got home, I reached into the fridge without a glove (I forgot how quick that Oxaliplatin works!) and it felt like my hand was on fire.
I was told to use folic acid and b-complex again for the neuropathy. I questioned about it contributing to the constipation problems, but was told that it wouldn't by a physician's assistant oncology nurse. I DO have some b-complex w/folic acid, but I'm going to try upping my fiber intake, metamucil and sugar-free Jolly Rancher hard candies with "Isomalt" and see if that helps any. I also heard that "Sucrose", another ingredient in sugar-free candies might help.
My doctor said to use the sennecot (vegetable laxatives) if nothing else worked. He feels that it is caused by the anti-nausea meds that I get through the IV and asked if I was using the prescribed anti-nausea meds (zofran & compazine...I'm not). I'm hesitant about using laxatives because I don't want to get dependent on them. I'll see how things work out (no pun intended) during the week.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Chemo Side Effects
This is my off week to let the body 'recycle' and I'm finding that the side effects from last week's 4th cycle treatments are a bit more nastier and sticking around for a longer period.
The side effects that I'm experiencing are Neuropathy (cold sensitivity and tingling/numbness in fingertips), Constipation (laxatives aren't even helping much), Fatigue, Mouth Sores, Headaches, Bloody Noses, Skin Welts and an aching feeling all over. I have no fever or nausea though. I picked up some Vitamin B-Complex w/Folic Acid to try and help heal the immune system and I'm upping my fiber intake.
In the past, I've been able to tolerate cold drinks with ice and/or ice cream after about the fourth day when the treatments ended. This time, it's been four days and I'm having problems just reaching into the fridge.
I haven't had to take any of the zofran or comparazine (for nausea), so I think it's just the chemo meds coupled with the anti-nausea IV that I get? At any rate, I'll discuss with my oncologist when I go in next week.
The side effects that I'm experiencing are Neuropathy (cold sensitivity and tingling/numbness in fingertips), Constipation (laxatives aren't even helping much), Fatigue, Mouth Sores, Headaches, Bloody Noses, Skin Welts and an aching feeling all over. I have no fever or nausea though. I picked up some Vitamin B-Complex w/Folic Acid to try and help heal the immune system and I'm upping my fiber intake.
In the past, I've been able to tolerate cold drinks with ice and/or ice cream after about the fourth day when the treatments ended. This time, it's been four days and I'm having problems just reaching into the fridge.
I haven't had to take any of the zofran or comparazine (for nausea), so I think it's just the chemo meds coupled with the anti-nausea IV that I get? At any rate, I'll discuss with my oncologist when I go in next week.
Friday, September 5, 2008
4th Cycle Complete (1/3 of the way)
I started and finished my 4th cycle of the Folfox treatment this past week and for the most part it went well. My next milestone will be finishing my 6th cycle (the halfway point) which should occur in early October is no setbacks.
The week started with a little bit of a pinch when the oncology nurse inserted the needle into my mediport, but I was able to whisper to the oncology nurse whose technique from last cycle gave me NO pain at all (zilch!) and she said that she would make a point to look for me to do the "poke in the port" on my next scheduled cycle start. I told her that I don't know how or what she did, but she has been the only one so far, to insert it with no pain at all.
As for the chemo, it was the same routine, a long first day with the infusion and sent home with the pump of 5-FU, then a little shorter on the second day with the IV and then more 5-FU in my holster pump to infuse overnight until I got in today for the exam and disconnect, where they flush the port with saline and give it a heparin lock.
I had an early appointment today, so I was out by 10am and had a nice breakfast (with hot coffee and not my favorite iced coffee) with my sister, Cathy, who recently had her colonoscopy. Even though they only found and removed one polyp, her doctor wants to see her in a year, due to my situation (sibling/family history?).
It got very hot and humid over the past 2 days, but all in all, it's been a cool August and the heat isn't bothering me like it did during July.
I can't stress enough to get yourself checked (scope) because it is a LOT easy than having surgeries and chemotherapy for six months. Early detection is a key factor and I truly believe that it is what saved my life along with the help of God!
The week started with a little bit of a pinch when the oncology nurse inserted the needle into my mediport, but I was able to whisper to the oncology nurse whose technique from last cycle gave me NO pain at all (zilch!) and she said that she would make a point to look for me to do the "poke in the port" on my next scheduled cycle start. I told her that I don't know how or what she did, but she has been the only one so far, to insert it with no pain at all.
As for the chemo, it was the same routine, a long first day with the infusion and sent home with the pump of 5-FU, then a little shorter on the second day with the IV and then more 5-FU in my holster pump to infuse overnight until I got in today for the exam and disconnect, where they flush the port with saline and give it a heparin lock.
I had an early appointment today, so I was out by 10am and had a nice breakfast (with hot coffee and not my favorite iced coffee) with my sister, Cathy, who recently had her colonoscopy. Even though they only found and removed one polyp, her doctor wants to see her in a year, due to my situation (sibling/family history?).
It got very hot and humid over the past 2 days, but all in all, it's been a cool August and the heat isn't bothering me like it did during July.
I can't stress enough to get yourself checked (scope) because it is a LOT easy than having surgeries and chemotherapy for six months. Early detection is a key factor and I truly believe that it is what saved my life along with the help of God!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
The Power of Positive Thinking
One of my cousins, an R.N., had sent me this and I wanted to share it here for those who may find some comfort in learning more about the power of positive thinking...
1. We all work with one infinite power
2. The Secret is the Law of Attraction (LOA)
3. Whatever is going on in your mind is what you are attracting
4. We are like magnets - like attract like. You become AND attract what you think
5. Every thought has a frequency. Thoughts send out a magnetic energy
6. People think about what they don't want and attract more of the same
7. Thought = creation. If these thoughts are attached to powerful emotions (good or bad) that speeds the creation
8. You attract your dominant thoughts
9. Those who speak most of illness have illness, those who speak most of prosperity have it..etc..
10. It's not 'wishful' thinking.
11. You can't have a universe without the mind entering into it
12. Choose your thoughts carefully .. you are a masterpiece of your life
13. It's OK that thoughts don't manifest into reality immediately (if we saw a picture of an elephant and it instantly appeared, that would be too soon)
14. EVERYTHING in your life you have attracted .. accept that fact . it's true.
15. Your thoughts cause your feelings
16. We don't need to complicate all the 'reasons' behind our emotions. It's much simpler than that.
Two categories .. good feelings, bad feelings.
17. Thoughts that bring about good feelings mean you are on the right track.
Thoughts that bring about bad feelings means you are not on the right track.
18. Whatever it is you are feeling is a perfect reflection of what is in the process of becoming
19. You get exactly what you are FEELING
20. Happy feelings will attract more happy circumstances
21. You can begin feeling whatever you want (even if it's not there).. the universe will correspond to the nature of your song
22. What you focus on with your thought and feeling is what you attract into your experience
23. What you think and what you feel and what actually manifests is ALWAYS a match - no exception
24. Shift your awareness
25. 'You create your own universe as you go along' Winston Churchill
26. It's important to feel good ( ( ( (((good))) ) ) )
27. You can change your emotion immediately .. by thinking of something joyful, or singing a song, or remembering a happy experience
28. When you get the hang of this, before you know it you will KNOW you are the creator
29. Life can and should be phenomenal .. and it will be when you consciously apply the Law of Attraction
30. Universe will re-arrange itself accordingly
31. Start by using this sentence for all of your wants: 'I'm so happy and grateful now that.... '
32. You don't need to know HOW the universe is going to rearrange itself
33. LOA is simply figuring out for yourself what will generate the positive feelings of having it NOW
34. You might get an inspired thought or idea to help you move towards what you want faster
35. The universe likes SPEED. Don't delay, don't second-guess, don't doubt..
36. When the opportunity or impulse is there .. ACT
37. You will attract everything you require - money, people, connections.. PAY ATTENTION to what's being set in front of you
38. You can start with nothing .. and out of nothing or no way - a WAY will be provided.
39. HOW LONG??? No rules on time .. the more aligned you are with positive feelings the quicker things happen
40. Size is nothing to the universe (unlimited abundance if that's what you wish) We make the rules on size and time
41. No rules according to the universe .. you provide the feelings of having it now and the universe will respond
42. Most people offer the majority of their thought in response to what they are observing (bills in the mail, being late, having bad luck...etc..)
43. You have to find a different approach to what is through a different vantage point
44. 'All that we are is a result of what we have thought' - Buddha
45. What can you do right now to turn your life around?? Gratitude
46. Gratitude will bring more into our lives
1. We all work with one infinite power
2. The Secret is the Law of Attraction (LOA)
3. Whatever is going on in your mind is what you are attracting
4. We are like magnets - like attract like. You become AND attract what you think
5. Every thought has a frequency. Thoughts send out a magnetic energy
6. People think about what they don't want and attract more of the same
7. Thought = creation. If these thoughts are attached to powerful emotions (good or bad) that speeds the creation
8. You attract your dominant thoughts
9. Those who speak most of illness have illness, those who speak most of prosperity have it..etc..
10. It's not 'wishful' thinking.
11. You can't have a universe without the mind entering into it
12. Choose your thoughts carefully .. you are a masterpiece of your life
13. It's OK that thoughts don't manifest into reality immediately (if we saw a picture of an elephant and it instantly appeared, that would be too soon)
14. EVERYTHING in your life you have attracted .. accept that fact . it's true.
15. Your thoughts cause your feelings
16. We don't need to complicate all the 'reasons' behind our emotions. It's much simpler than that.
Two categories .. good feelings, bad feelings.
17. Thoughts that bring about good feelings mean you are on the right track.
Thoughts that bring about bad feelings means you are not on the right track.
18. Whatever it is you are feeling is a perfect reflection of what is in the process of becoming
19. You get exactly what you are FEELING
20. Happy feelings will attract more happy circumstances
21. You can begin feeling whatever you want (even if it's not there).. the universe will correspond to the nature of your song
22. What you focus on with your thought and feeling is what you attract into your experience
23. What you think and what you feel and what actually manifests is ALWAYS a match - no exception
24. Shift your awareness
25. 'You create your own universe as you go along' Winston Churchill
26. It's important to feel good ( ( ( (((good))) ) ) )
27. You can change your emotion immediately .. by thinking of something joyful, or singing a song, or remembering a happy experience
28. When you get the hang of this, before you know it you will KNOW you are the creator
29. Life can and should be phenomenal .. and it will be when you consciously apply the Law of Attraction
30. Universe will re-arrange itself accordingly
31. Start by using this sentence for all of your wants: 'I'm so happy and grateful now that.... '
32. You don't need to know HOW the universe is going to rearrange itself
33. LOA is simply figuring out for yourself what will generate the positive feelings of having it NOW
34. You might get an inspired thought or idea to help you move towards what you want faster
35. The universe likes SPEED. Don't delay, don't second-guess, don't doubt..
36. When the opportunity or impulse is there .. ACT
37. You will attract everything you require - money, people, connections.. PAY ATTENTION to what's being set in front of you
38. You can start with nothing .. and out of nothing or no way - a WAY will be provided.
39. HOW LONG??? No rules on time .. the more aligned you are with positive feelings the quicker things happen
40. Size is nothing to the universe (unlimited abundance if that's what you wish) We make the rules on size and time
41. No rules according to the universe .. you provide the feelings of having it now and the universe will respond
42. Most people offer the majority of their thought in response to what they are observing (bills in the mail, being late, having bad luck...etc..)
43. You have to find a different approach to what is through a different vantage point
44. 'All that we are is a result of what we have thought' - Buddha
45. What can you do right now to turn your life around?? Gratitude
46. Gratitude will bring more into our lives
Thursday, August 21, 2008
25% or 1/4 Mark
I had a good day today at the chemo clinic. They examined me and went over my bloodwork pathology and told me that I don't need to come in next week.
They flushed the mediport with saline and a heparin block, then dis-connected me from my portable infusion pump and took the needle of the port. This is one of the greatest feelings during my chemo journey!
I was told that everything is looking good to continue treatments in two weeks. I went to book my next cycle and it happened to be September 2nd, the day after Labor Day and completely booked, so I had to go with September 3rd, 4th and 5th. This will be a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, but I got all three day's appointments at 8:40am.
The nurse practitioner told me to enjoy the fine cooler weather and by Sunday, the neuropathy and metallic taste should be weak enough to be able to enjoy an ice cream or a cold beer. Hmmmm ???
They flushed the mediport with saline and a heparin block, then dis-connected me from my portable infusion pump and took the needle of the port. This is one of the greatest feelings during my chemo journey!
I was told that everything is looking good to continue treatments in two weeks. I went to book my next cycle and it happened to be September 2nd, the day after Labor Day and completely booked, so I had to go with September 3rd, 4th and 5th. This will be a Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, but I got all three day's appointments at 8:40am.
The nurse practitioner told me to enjoy the fine cooler weather and by Sunday, the neuropathy and metallic taste should be weak enough to be able to enjoy an ice cream or a cold beer. Hmmmm ???
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