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.

Appointment in London at Victoria Hospital

Appointment with Dr. Bertrand on Tuesday, November 2nd went very well.  She is quite pleased with the results from the first 2 chemo treatments.  The tumour is smaller and the ascites is all gone.  Did I tell you I can fit into my jeans again?  Yay!

We discussed the surgery which is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, December 8th.  It will be performed approximately 4 weeks after my 3rd chemo treatment which has, unfortunately, not been scheduled yet.  My normal date would have been November 11th but this is Rememberance Day and the Chemo Lounge is closed.  So they are rejigging the schedule and I hope to hear that my appointment will be either the 10th or 12th of November. 

The surgery consists of a total hysterectomy and removal of the omentum.  Sounds extensive and it is....  Here is a link if you are interested in the details. 

On the one hand I am very glad to hear that the chemo is doing its job and then on the other hand I am not looking forward to the surgery.  But who would be?  Best to learn those relaxation techniques and take care of myself to be as strong as physically possible to recover from the surgery.

Healing Journey

Today David and I attended the first session of a program offered through Hope Spring.  This is a 6 week program for people who want to help themselves as they deal with cancer.  The objective is to relieve much of the anxiety and depression, confusion, pain, fatigue and other forms of distress through the use of deep relaxation, using imagery and visualization, goal setting and healthy communication.   Healing Journey program was designed by Dr. Alistair Cunningham of Princess Margaret Hospital.

In our sesson today we went through a deep muscle relaxation exercise which takes about 1/2 hour.  We were lying on the floor while doing this and David fell asleep.  Obviously relaxing for David!  Good exercise though and we are supposed to practice every day.  I think I can handle that.

Healthwise I am feeling good.  The swelling in my abdomen is greatly reduced and so I am more mobile.   I have started going out in the evenings with David when walking our dog Cyrus.  I haven't been able to do this for several months. 

Tomorrow I have an appointment in London with Dr. Bertrand.  She is checking me out after 2 chemo treatments to ensure the chemo is doing the job it's supposed to be doing.  She will also discuss the surgery which may occur about 4 weeks after the third chemo treatment.  The timing for this may be the 2nd week of December or so.  We'll know better tomorrow.