3rd Chemo Session

On Friday November 12th we went to hospital for the last round of chemo before my surgery which is scheduled for December 8th in London.  Dylan accompanied us as well so he missed a couple of periods of school that day.  He wanted to see what happens in chemotherapy.  I am sure it was mostly boring for him but it is now less mysterious. 

I am given a cocktail of drugs before the actual chemo and they make me quite drowsy.  I will sleep for short periods and then wake up a bit groggy and incoherent.  At one point I had been dreaming and woke up laughing about something.  Dylan found this quite amusing. 

Since chemo I have been feeling the usual flu like symptoms but I also have been prescribed a higher dosage of Gabapentin to relieve the inevitable pain in the leg muscles and joints.  It seems to be working. Doctor also suggested Ibuprofen and as a back up a prescription of Tylenol 3 just in case.

On November 16th I went to hospital for a CT Scan.  This is in preparation of the surgery. What a zoo.  They were backed up due to emergencies so the wait was excruciating.  I wasn't feeling well due to chemo and for CT Scan you must drink 2 big glasses of contrasting liquid in one hour.  To me it tastes like pool water.  They certainly don't dress it up or anything.  At least at St. Mary's hospital it was a flavoured smoothie that was at least drinkable.  They also inject iodine via an IV during the procedure.  While in the apparatus this gives you a metal taste in your mouth (which I already have), makes you feel hot and you feel like you are peeing yourself (which you are not).  Eventually it was all over - actual scan procedure takes only 5 minutes.  The whole thing was 3 1/2 hours and I was finally out of there.  One final comment.... the nurses who were very busy did a great job of getting patients organized and ready for procedure while being very gracious and conscious of the delays.  They did they best to hurry things along.  It is a difficult job.

My Adventures with Percocet

Tuesday was my very worst day yet.  In order to get relief from the pain in my legs, feet and hands Dr. Califaretti prescribed Percocet.  As some of you know this is a combination narcotic Oxycodone and non narcotic pain reliever Acetaminophen.  My first pill on Monday night seemed to work immediately in the pain department but I knew something was up when I lost all my dinner.  David cooked a lovely piece of salmon - what a shame it ended up in the toilet.  I still managed to keep fluids down.  At bedtime I took another pill and loaded up on Senokot and Colace (narcotics give you constipation - who knew?) No pain all night - that was great. By 6 am the pain was back so I popped another pill and some more who know what.....At 9 am I got out of bed and decided to have some breakfast.  I was feeling rather nauseous and my Italian background dictates that I need to eat and soon.  I also took some of my nausea pills which are to be used when the feeling hits.  After my first round of chemo I didn't need any of these.  I gobbled down bowl of something nearby - Apple Cinnamon Cheerios.  Not the best choice but I needed something cold and sweet.  That didn't stay long.  Rest of the day was spent on the couch feeling very poorly and any attempt to drink fluid or eat something did not work out.

By the mid afternoon and feeling out done by medication I put in a call to Pat, my nurse coordinator.  After she got the story she consulted with Dr. and got back to me within the half hour.  I knew they could feel my pain.

They felt I was experiencing a side effect of the Percocet - nausea and vomiting.  My most favourite of all the side effects.  Rather than give me another prescription for either nausea or pain she asked me to just keep taking sips of water to stay hydrated and see what tomorrow will bring.  I was all for that.  I decided I could live with some pain instead of taking another Percocet.

By dinner time I could keep down some mashed potatoes and a bit of chicken.  No more bouts of vomiting and I didn't feel so nauseous.  However, the pain was back but I felt could persevere. 

By this morning I am feeling my old self and the pain in the legs is decreasing all on its own anyway.  No more Percocets!

More news following chemo session 2

Throughout the weekend, I only had to deal with fatigue.  The Gabapentin painkiller that had been prescribed was doing a nice job.

On Saturday night, Pat and Suzanne visited for dinner.  We hadn't seen them in a few weeks so it was good to catch up and hear about their trip to the Netherlands and Germany.  We may hear from them more often now that Rob Ford has become Toronto's mayor!  

Also, thank you to Jill and Michael for dropping off the therapeutic goodies.

On Sunday, I felt pretty good and we had a nice visit in the afternoon with Katherine and Cam.

By Monday morning, my condition had worsened.  The Gabapentin wasn't doing its job and I had pain in my hands, lower legs and feet.  I called the hospital and they prescribed a new serious painkiller (Oxycodone).  It has taken away the pain, but it has its own side effects - such as feeling nauseous all the time.

I'll write again in a day or two when I feel better.

Week of October 12th

This was a quiet week.  Lots of reading, watching movies and staying put.  Medication for pain ran out Tuesday and luckily I do not have any pain in my legs and joints.  I pretty much felt normal and have energy which is ironic as this week was the period of time after chemo where I was most vulnerable to infection.  I have been doing a little cooking but the kitchen is really David's domain right now.  My mother has been providing welcome additions to my diet as well.  Care packages of homemade chicken soup, gnocchi, homemade pasta, etc.

My hair is now starting to fall out.  Oh joy.... My scalp is tender and if I gently tug at my hair then mittfuls of hair come out.  My pillow at night is full of hair.  I am prepared with my new wig, plenty of scarves and several chemo caps that were made for me by the spouse of a former colleague.  Very thoughtful!  Thanks Heather and Bill!

On Saturday morning I went to Hope Springs to take a Gentle Yoga class.  All the participants are cancer survivors (or in treatment).  This is the most exercise I've had in 2 months and it felt pretty good.  Remember up to my first chemo treatment I looked about 8 months pregnant and walking was a major feat.  Now I am looking more like 5 - 6 months.  I have lost some of that ascites from my abdomen and it feels much better.  Less pressure.  Sleeping is easier as well.  But I still have to remember not to do too much as then I get exhausted and need a nap.  What a life.....

Next appointment at hospital is this Wednesday, October 20th.  Blood work will determine if white blood count and platelets are at normal counts so that I can start the whole cycle again on Thursday with my second chemo treatment.  I am confident all will be fine.

Week of October 4th

By Monday I had decided to contact my nurse coordinator Pat to see if there was anything I could do about the muscle and joint pain.  It was excruciating and never let up.  A quick call to the hospital and the triage nurse on duty in the Cancer Centre let me know that I could take Tylenol but to take my temperature first.  It is important not to mask any fever.  She also let me know she would ensure Pat was informed and that Pat would probably call.  She did call and asked how the Tylenol worked.  It really didn't do anything for me so she let me know she would talk to the doctor and probably call in a prescription for me.

Within hours a prescription was waiting at our local Pharma Plus and I started taking a medication called Teva-Gabapentin.  It is used to relieve nerve pain and that it did by the time I went to bed that night.  Finally, a good night's rest!

Of course, every medication has its side effects and this one is no exception.  It makes me a little drowsy and fuzzy headed.  No operating heavy machinery for now.  But the pain has reduced about 80% and that is good enough for me.

Every day is a little better from the previous day.  Appetite is a little better and the fatigue is a little bit less.  I would not go so far as to say I feel normal but I think I have to come to terms about the new normal for now.

I am going out a little bit too.  On Wednesday, David and I visited Hope Springs on Allen St. in Waterloo.  Hope Springs is a not for profit cancer support centre.  They offer a variety of programs for those with cancer and their caregivers.  I got myself a lovely wig for when my hair falls out!

As you probably know chemotherapy is used to kill cancer cells throughout the body.  The chemo drugs interfere with the growth and reproduction of cancer cells.  This is good!  However, they also damage normal cells that grow rapidly such as hair follicles, stomach lining, and blood cells.  One of the side effects is lowered resistance to infection.  This effect begins 7 days after chemo treatment and reaches its lowest point from day 10 - 14.  After this the white blood count begins to improve and should reach normal levels before the next treatment.  For me the lowest point is October 10 - 14.  So if we discourage visitors don't think we don't love you!

Day 2 & 3 after Chemo

Much of the weekend was spent on the couch.  Side effects are kicking in.  Fatigue, muscle and joint pains, etc. My head is aching but I cannot take anything.  Can't call in to my nurse coordinator because it is the weekend.  I am sure I can take some tylenol but don't want to yet.  I will persevere.

I will spare you the details regarding constipation.  My tastes buds are rebelling.  Many things just taste lousy and flavourless.  But I need to eat and make sure I have small snacks throughout the day.  Don't forget to drink lots of fluids but no booze.  Liver is already working overtime without booze.

Second day on the couch.  Mostly experiencing muscle ache and pain in my lower abdomen.  Had headache yesterday but this doesn't seem to be an issue today.  Appetite is off and every thing tastes lousy.  They warned me about this.....  mostly a metallic taste.  Even water.