Saturday, September 17, 2016

Tears of joy

     9/16/2016, went for regular MD appt. after my big blood draw!  Usually I've looked at my lab and have a feel for what's coming, but I didn't this time!  As he read off the ones I basically understand, the beta-light chains and a few others, he hit on the important ones and they were fabulous.  If not normal they are closer than we ever seen them.  I just suddenly had tears of joy.  Since December this hasn't happened!  I guess I'm and old fashioned gal who needed old fashioned treatment!!
     So in about 3 weeks more blood draws and those results will determine when I do this treatment again, the 4-6 day in hospital 24/7 treatment.  I'll know more of what to expect, but I'm not sure it will be any easier.
      On a side note, Tuesday the 14th my hair was coming out in large clumps. So that night Jodi was here and help me wash and comb out as much as we could, pretty sad and lots of tears, I was very greatfull to have her here and being so responsible and helping me get through it.  then Wednesday the 15th my sweet husband finished the deed with the electric hair trimmer/razor.  He did a good job, so I am officially a 5:00 shadow head until the tiny ends fall out๐Ÿ™„.  I'm now practicing my wigs, hats, night caps, little scalp covers and a variety of other goodies, so far my favorite is hats.
       I know I'm loved with or without hair, by all the people I love!!!

Monday, September 12, 2016

This I wasn't expecting

     Last entry, after chemo, I went home on Sunday the 4th.  Not feeling the best, but I had just had killer cell chemo.  My eating and diarrhea continued to be a problem and even got worse. Until Wednesday the 8th, when I needed help to get out of bed, dressed and make decisions.  Kim really just wanted me to go to the ER for fluids and I knew I needed something soon, but I waited the few hours until my Dr. Office opened sand I called them and they said tocome get fluids.
     They started fluids and drew blood, and after an hour I was told Dr. Johnson was admitting me back to the hospital.๐Ÿ’‰, my blood work was totall mess.  I had become neutropic (I had no WBC, or platelets,), probably and infection, due to fevers, dehydration, due to diarrhea an not eating or drinking enough.  Kim was at a meeting he couldn't leave, so I called Jodi, and she came and got me and took me over.
     First thing an RN and then DR.J said was, this was expected, just not this quickly!  I'm pretty sure we were not told about this little side effect, unless it was limped in with " I would be sick after chemo".  And probably I should have know something, with just the nature of chemo.  But at home I really thought I was just dehydrated!
   

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Dr.s are usually right

     So what I said before that I might just enjoy naps and meals........so wrong!  My 4 days turned into 6 due to lots of IV problems and then at the end my potassium and blood count all dropped , chemo-effects, so I had a few extra infusions.  By day 4 I knew I'd had chemotherapy.  Everything I've received in the past has had side- effects, with stomach/ bowel issues, tired, metal mouth, some nausea, but this stuff had all that at a new high.  Still blessed to have no vomiting!!!!! Just thought I wanted to.
      Kim had to reminded me that my Dr. said I would be sick, so sick I am.  But it's getting better, I think, eating is still a hard issue, with weight loss, I'm hungry but as soon as I start to eat,my stomach wants to stop!!! Who thought I'd ever have wt. loss as a problem!   Just supper tired, and weak now.  Went for a short walk with Kim tonight, and I think we went 1house to far, we only went 18 houses๐Ÿ˜. But my strength will come back too.  I took this week off to see how the recovery would go, so I'll know for next time.
      I could repeat this in as early as 4 weeks to 8 weeks.  It will depend on my labs and what the LDS team wants to do.  
      I still have hair, I have no idea when that will start to fall out.  I'm ready though, I really love my new short cut, so I'm going to have one of my wigs cut this way, so when it does happen I'm ready.   
      I am so blessed, my family is amazing, my husband is a fabulous care giver, task doer, take-out king, Diet Coke runner (not my normal habit, but it helps my stomach ๐Ÿ‘, I've called him my "slave" but he is so happy and willing to go get my phone, get me a blanket, fix my meals, always asking what I need.  He doesn't get frustrated or angry, he doesn't ignore or become impatient, he is truly a rock I don't want to be without!!!  I love him so much❤️!  He doesn't ever read this, so if you see him thank him for being so loving and good to me!!