Even though the pathology from my surgery came back negative, I am going through this next round of chemo. I know for myself, I need to make sure that I did everything I could to make sure the cancer is really gone and hopefully will stay away. That's what this round of chemo is about. At dinner the night before I started chemo, my friend came up with the name, "And Stay Away Chemo" and the name stuck.
Earlier this week I packed up my bag to bring to the infusion center. I had asked my fellow WhatNexter's on the ACS web site what to bring and they were right on target. I packed my own blanket as well as my laptop, some activity books, a book and my iPod. My friend packed a lunch with lots of yummy snacks and treats. I was set to go.
I decided to go to a different infusion center for this round of chemo since I had some issues at the other center. I was a bit nervous as I didn't know what to expect even though I had a tour of the infusion center several weeks ago. I was assigned a room and immediately greeted by my nurse. I got a tour of my room and I could just tell this was going to be a better experience. My nurse took the time to lay out the expectations of the day and then continued to explain things to me throughout the day.
Overall, the day went very smoothly. My port was accessed and my blood was drawn to make sure my levels were good for me to receive the chemo. When the results came back, my nurse took the time to explain which results were most important and what levels my oncologist wanted to in order to chemo on my schedule. Next it was an infusion of pre-medications to prevent a reaction and nausea. We waited a half hour after the pre-meds and then the chemo started. The chemo ran for two hours and then I got a push of another chemo drug. After that, the homecare company came to hook me up to the pump and I was on my way.
I think I was at the infusion center for a total of five hours. Despite packing a bag with lots of things, I really didn't feel like doing anything. I was able to watch Anderson on TV while I was there but that was about it. I napped for a little while and played some games on my cell phone. I am just not good at just sitting. I am happy I made the switch to the new infusion center.
When I got home, I was feeling tired but not sleepy. About an hour after I got home, I started to feel some numbness in my knees and forearms. A common side effect to the chemo is neuropathy in the extremities. The other thing I noticed was extreme sensativity to cold in my hands and feet. I was warned but I forgot. I washed my hands without letting the water warm up and boy did I pay the price. It was like my hands were in ice water and just burned. And then I forgot about drinking cold beverages and the side effects. I took a sip of water at dinner and I thought I was swallowing glass. Lessons learned!
I was concerned about being able to go to work the next day based on how I was feeling going to bed. My knees and forearms were still numb and my stomach was a bit sour. Sometime in the middle of the night, the side effects passed and I felt OK by the time I had to get up and go to work. I did OK at work on Thursday but as soon as I got home, I went right to bed. I got a good 10 hours of sleep on Thursday night and felt pretty good on Friday.
Friday, I met the homecare nurse at home in the afternoon to be disconnected from the pump. It was nice to be free from the pump. The nurse spent a lot of time with me to make sure I was going OK and making sure I understood all the side effects of the treatment. Friday night, I called it a night early and looking forward to a week and a half with no chemo.
This is going to be a long couple of months but something I can get through. One down, seven to go.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Six Weeks Post-Op
It's hard to believe 6 weeks ago at this time, I was in the OR having surgery. It actually seems like it was a lot longer ago than just 6 weeks. Hopefully my time in chemo will feel like it moves as quickly as this time did.
A lot has happened since my surgery. I am all healed up with barely any scars. In fact I was looking at the scar from my port the other day and that one can barely be seen. Hopefully I will be able to say the same of these scars as well. I have gotten used to the ileostomy though I'm not sure it has gotten used to me! We are not always on the same schedule but I guess that is life for now. I am still tired more often than not and I don't anticipate that getting better with chemo starting next week. I must keep telling myself to embrace the nap.
Work feels like I never left. Lots of great projects to work on to keep me busy and my mind stimulated. I enjoy my position and the variety of projects I work on so work for me is something I look forward too. Plus, I got a couple new suits and outfits for work to fit with my new plump so it's fun to wear the new clothes. Of course there are days when I'm ready to pull my hair out and wish I was home on disability again but those are far and few between.
I've returned to most of my usual activities. I started back to swimming this week. I didn't drown but there were times I wish I had some swimmies on! I know it will take some time to get back where I was and the chemo isn't going to help with that. Still, I love to be in the water and if I keep that in the forefront of my thoughts, the slowness and fatigue doesn't seem so bad. I also returned to Toastmasters this week. I even signed up to do at our next meeting.
Most importantly, I feel like I can see the end of this journey. As much as I am dreading starting chemo again, it means I am another step closer to the end. Knowing the cancer is out of me makes me feel like I can fight through this chemo better than before. As much as I try to tell myself, you just need to get through the next 5 months, I am also trying to keep in balance that there is no reason to continue to live my life to the fullest during this time as well.
A lot has happened since my surgery. I am all healed up with barely any scars. In fact I was looking at the scar from my port the other day and that one can barely be seen. Hopefully I will be able to say the same of these scars as well. I have gotten used to the ileostomy though I'm not sure it has gotten used to me! We are not always on the same schedule but I guess that is life for now. I am still tired more often than not and I don't anticipate that getting better with chemo starting next week. I must keep telling myself to embrace the nap.
Work feels like I never left. Lots of great projects to work on to keep me busy and my mind stimulated. I enjoy my position and the variety of projects I work on so work for me is something I look forward too. Plus, I got a couple new suits and outfits for work to fit with my new plump so it's fun to wear the new clothes. Of course there are days when I'm ready to pull my hair out and wish I was home on disability again but those are far and few between.
I've returned to most of my usual activities. I started back to swimming this week. I didn't drown but there were times I wish I had some swimmies on! I know it will take some time to get back where I was and the chemo isn't going to help with that. Still, I love to be in the water and if I keep that in the forefront of my thoughts, the slowness and fatigue doesn't seem so bad. I also returned to Toastmasters this week. I even signed up to do at our next meeting.
Most importantly, I feel like I can see the end of this journey. As much as I am dreading starting chemo again, it means I am another step closer to the end. Knowing the cancer is out of me makes me feel like I can fight through this chemo better than before. As much as I try to tell myself, you just need to get through the next 5 months, I am also trying to keep in balance that there is no reason to continue to live my life to the fullest during this time as well.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
More Chemo, Here I come!
I had my appointment with the oncologist yesterday. I had long known about the discussion I would be having with him. I am being treated as though I have stage III cancer though we will never know for sure if I did or not. Having the negative pathology from my surgery questions whether this second round of chemo is really needed or am I being over treated. Although the doctors involved in my care of discussed this issue numerous times, I decided long ago that I wanted to do the full treatment. I wanted to know for myself that I did everything I could to rid my body of cancer and hopefully prevent if from ever coming back. I believe four months of chemo and potentially feeling yucky is worth the extra assurance that the cancer is really gone.
I also had to break it to my oncologist that I wanted to have my chemo treatments at the hospital's infusion center, and not his own infusion center. It didn't really seem to bother him at all which made me feel a lot better. I didn't have the best of experiences at his infusion center despite writing a letter outlining all the ways they could improve. I know the grass isn't always greener but I know it can't be any worse. Knowing that I have to sit at the infusion center this time for four hours each treatment, I want the best possible environment to spend my time.
So the start date is January 25, just the way I wanted it. If all goes well, I will be finished up the first week in May. Finishing up at that time is perfect as kayaking begins then. About a month after chemo, I can have the reversal surgery and hopefully check this journey off as being completed!
I also had to break it to my oncologist that I wanted to have my chemo treatments at the hospital's infusion center, and not his own infusion center. It didn't really seem to bother him at all which made me feel a lot better. I didn't have the best of experiences at his infusion center despite writing a letter outlining all the ways they could improve. I know the grass isn't always greener but I know it can't be any worse. Knowing that I have to sit at the infusion center this time for four hours each treatment, I want the best possible environment to spend my time.
So the start date is January 25, just the way I wanted it. If all goes well, I will be finished up the first week in May. Finishing up at that time is perfect as kayaking begins then. About a month after chemo, I can have the reversal surgery and hopefully check this journey off as being completed!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Life is Good
Despite the Steeler loss last night, life is good. I returned to work last Thursday and fortunately had a light start back. I am really getting the hang of having an ostomy and my stoma has shrunk enough for me to drop down a size which makes the appliance even smaller. I had an outstanding shopping trip over the weekend and found new clothes which are also comfortable. Yesterday, I got my bike on the trainer so I'll be able to exercise more regularly now. I also decided that I am going to back to swimming next Monday. I really do love to swim and can't imagine going too long without it. I chose next Monday because it's a work holiday so if I forget any supplies or have any issues, I'm just heading home anyway so it won't be stressful at all.
Wednesday I see the oncologist to get the plans together for the second and final round of chemo. As much as I am not looking forward to being on chemo, I know the sooner I start, the sooner I will be finished. I know the regimen is 8 treatments every other week. So, if I get started at the end of this month, I will be done the first week in May. About 4 weeks after completing chemo, I will have my ostomy reversal and then have the summer to enjoy! Life really is good.
Wednesday I see the oncologist to get the plans together for the second and final round of chemo. As much as I am not looking forward to being on chemo, I know the sooner I start, the sooner I will be finished. I know the regimen is 8 treatments every other week. So, if I get started at the end of this month, I will be done the first week in May. About 4 weeks after completing chemo, I will have my ostomy reversal and then have the summer to enjoy! Life really is good.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Indy Star Article
Well, as an early birthday present, the article I was interview for regarding the WhatNext site appeared in the Indy Star this weekend. Here is the link:
http://www.indystar.com/article/20111230/LOCAL/112300335/Businessman-launches-website-help-cancer-patients?odyssey=tab
Last week I was interviewed for another article for Cure magazine which will appear in the March issue. The article is about using the internet to find information about cancer and treatments.
http://www.indystar.com/article/20111230/LOCAL/112300335/Businessman-launches-website-help-cancer-patients?odyssey=tab
Last week I was interviewed for another article for Cure magazine which will appear in the March issue. The article is about using the internet to find information about cancer and treatments.
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