More Side Effects... Oh My!

Wow! What a week it's been.  The body aches slowly improved, but on Thursday morning, I had a new side effect that really caught me off-guard...trouble swallowing.  So now, I'm on two more medicines to remedy esophagitis.  It feels like a closure down in my esophagus and it hurts to swallow any type of solids.  At one point today, it even hurt to swallow liquids too!  This was a bit scary, so I called a GI friend of ours from church and he assured me that I should be okay if it's treated now.  He doesn't think it will close up completely.  He even called in an additional suspension that should help tremendously.  I'll pick it up tomorrow.  :-)  Thanks for the prayers, calls, and words of encouragement.

Feeling Not So Good

Recovery this time has been a challenge.  What used to be a 4 day recovery is turning into a 7+ day recovery this time.  The Neulasta shot is wreaking havoc on my body this week.  I feel like I'm recovering from a car accident.  My body aches (chest, back, neck, head) continuously.  My nurse called in a  pain pill today, so I hope to have a good night's sleep tonight.  Lately, the pain has been waking me when the ibuprofen wears off.  What makes this more challenging is that pain medicine is not good for a chemo patient because the liver is already working overtime to remove the toxins from the chemotherapy.  Acetaminophen is especially dangerous for me right now, and ibuprofen should be limited as well.  So, I'm living with the pain most of the day and only take meds twice a day. Also, my taste buds still have not recovered so my appetite is not back yet.  I'm whining too much today, so I'll end this post by saying...

GOD is good!!! No matter what!!!

Neulasta Cost

After my trip to Arkansas, I had several insurance EOBs that had come in the mail.  The little shot I receive the day after chemo - Neulasta - costs $9,500 a pop!!!  Yes, you read that correctly.  It's almost 3 times the cost of the chemo itself.  I am so grateful to God for medical insurance.  Now, I wonder what on earth happens to those without?

Halfway There!!

Round 4 was today and it went okay.  I'm just so happy to be finished with adriamyacin and cytoxin.  This marks my halfway point in chemo.

My red blood count had not dropped any further, so I was not denied treatment.  YAY!  I'll be sure to continue with my iron-rich foods between treatments. Thank you for your prayers.  My mother has been a real gem (as usual).  She cooks so many healthy foods for us and works so hard around the house.  Also, my aunt cooked me some beets, and yes, I ate most of them.  Thank you!!

Prayers

Yesterday and today have been pretty good.  In fact, I felt so good yesterday, I decided to go to Wal-Mart to shop for some school supplies.  Not the best idea!

My chemotherapy schedule was setup to be very aggressive.  The first four rounds consist of the two toughest chemo drugs on the market.  After that, I'll receive a third drug for rounds 5-8, which, according to one of my nurses "should be a piece of cake after getting through the first four".  Needless to say, I'm dreading round 4.  Since these treatments accumulate, round 4 shuold be the worst.  Please remember me in your prayers.  Additionally, my red blood count needs to improve.  Before round 3, it was down to 28 and it can't afford to drop anymore before round 4.  I'm trying to eat more iron-rich foods, but my appetite is not what it should be.  Please be in prayer about that too.

I thank you so much for your prayers.  They are truly sustaining me. My doctors say I'm handling the treatments very well.  That can only be attributed to God and His goodness.

Round 3

Round 3 has really kicked my tail.  Usually, I feel almost normal by day 5, but today has been tough.  I had planned to go to Arkansas with my mother today, but I just couldn't do it.  We'll have to try again tomorrow morning. 

I may have overdone it yesterday by going with Terry to take the girls to camp.  I'm glad I went though.  The campground is beautiful!!!  To think, I had planned to go to camp this year as a staff member.  My, how things changed.  This summer is unlike any other, but at least the girls are having some normalcy.  :-)

Three Down, Five to Go

Round 3 was pretty good, on-site.  I didn't try to read anything while receiving my treatment, so the loopiness was better.  However, I've felt slightly queasy with a light headache today, which is unusual for Day 1.  I took a Tylenol and will take an anti-nausea pill tonight. 

In our family, we traditionally take the birthday person out to dinner at the place of their choice.  Today is Terry's birthday, but we're going to have a wonderful meal here at home.  I'd feel guilty if it were one of the kids, but I know Terry doesn't mind.  In fact, he probably even prefers it this way.

Well, I better log off now.  Reading doesn't feel too good right now.  Thanks for your continued prayers!