martha - Network

It’s 12/23/24. Later this afternoon I will go to West Cancer Center for labs to be drawn. Unfortunately, some of my more important blood...

It’s 12/23/24. Later this afternoon I will go to West Cancer Center for labs to be drawn. Unfortunately, some of my more important blood results take 3 days to receive, but I should get some info before any Christmas family gatherings. I am really hoping to see improvements in my white blood cell counts and my cancer induced anemia.

Happy Thanksgiving 2024!This week, I celebrated the end of my IV chemotherapy infusions. My bloodwork and symptoms will be monitored every...

Happy Thanksgiving 2024!
This week, I celebrated the end of my IV chemotherapy infusions. My bloodwork and symptoms will be monitored every four weeks, and I might need daily chemo pills or more IV treatments in the future, but, for now, my body gets a chance to rest and recover.

Scheduled for my 6th AND FINAL two-day chemo treatment round in ONE WEEK. I’m so excited that this part of my cancer journey is coming to...

Scheduled for my 6th AND FINAL two-day chemo treatment round in ONE WEEK. I’m so excited that this part of my cancer journey is coming to an end, soon. I won’t know the details of “what’s next,” until my doc reviews bloodwork. I do know that during the six months following, I will still be very immunocompromised because the chemo drugs continue working in my system. And for the rest of my life, my blood and my symptoms will be monitored, regularly, with additional treatment as needed.

It’s hard for me to explain what my body feels like these days. This article does a decent job. I often reference that I “fizzle...

It’s hard for me to explain what my body feels like these days. This article does a decent job. I often reference that I “fizzle out” as the day goes on - both my brain & physical power.

https://cancerblog.mayoclinic.org/2024/09/11/cancer-fatigue-a-common-cancer-side-effect-that-is-different-for-everyone/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR16QvjmjkUxKN0xMiYnWx2ptirHFrZOtYXthR30i3hq5iuegvvpE96RyBA_aem_kCqGDjL494dMPZkjBBwekg#

“What kind of hell will this four week cycle bring?” This runs through my head EVERY SINGLE time, because my chemo side effects have...

“What kind of hell will this four week cycle bring?” This runs through my head EVERY SINGLE time, because my chemo side effects have been all over the place. Swollen fingers are a new thing. I removed my wedding & engagement rings about 24 hours ago, but the indention of them still exists. I keep feeling a bit shaky. Not terrible, but annoying. Thankful to be hungry, again, although I wish the chemo belly bloat would decrease, because I kind of feel like there’s a small balloon in my gut.

Waiting on the pharmacy at West Cancer Center to send up today’s treatment meds. Hard to believe I am already on treatment round #5 of 6....

Waiting on the pharmacy at West Cancer Center to send up today’s treatment meds. Hard to believe I am already on treatment round #5 of 6. I am hoping I stay on schedule, so that I can wrap this up right before Thanksgiving. The six months following the treatment will still be a lot for my body as the meds continue to work.

Today (10/28/24) & tomorrow I am scheduled for cancer treatment #5 of 6. I’m always nervous the night before and the morning of,...

Today (10/28/24) & tomorrow I am scheduled for cancer treatment #5 of 6. I’m always nervous the night before and the morning of, since I never know what “side effect hell” treatment week will bring. I don’t even know for certain if treatment will occur until the morning lab work gets reviewed by the oncologist.

Here’s hoping the Benadryl they give me allows for lots of napping in the infusion chair.

Every cancer patient is different. Every journey is different. The way our bodies handle treatment is different. For me, the side effects...

Every cancer patient is different. Every journey is different. The way our bodies handle treatment is different. For me, the side effects with each treatment round have been different. I really never know what each day will bring. Will I be queasy, hungry or neither ? Will my bones hurt? How much hair is falling out today? (I still have plenty on my head thanks to genetics.) How will I feel about noises, scents, texture? Sometimes I even think water is too thick to drink. 🤷🏻‍♀️

This treatment week has been exhausting. Not miserable, thankfully, but I have barely felt like I could keep my eyes open and I have been...

This treatment week has been exhausting. Not miserable, thankfully, but I have barely felt like I could keep my eyes open and I have been tired so easily. Today has been significantly better, and I’m hoping tomorrow is even more of an improvement.

I will work remotely on Monday, if I don’t trust myself enough to drive.

Day 2 of treatment round #4 was uneventful, which is a great thing. The steroids added to two days of IV infusion will make sleeping...

Day 2 of treatment round #4 was uneventful, which is a great thing. The steroids added to two days of IV infusion will make sleeping tonight challenging. I’m so, so tired, already.

My doc wants to meet with me in a couple of weeks, after he reviews the most recent bloodwork results. We will be discussing whether or not the current treatment plan should be continued or adjusted.

Treatment #4 (of 6) begins today. It will be a VERY long day at West Cancer Center. I have already visited the lab for blood draw, will...

Treatment #4 (of 6) begins today. It will be a VERY long day at West Cancer Center. I have already visited the lab for blood draw, will see my hematologist after those results are ready, and then will head to the IV infusion area.

I started the day really tired so I’m hoping for napping after they give me the IV Benadryl.

This is Week 4 in my treatment cycle, which means that I try to get as much accomplished as possible. Unfortunately, I still run out of...

This is Week 4 in my treatment cycle, which means that I try to get as much accomplished as possible. Unfortunately, I still run out of energy pretty quickly. And the dang medical bills keep trickling in, which means matching them up to the insurance EOBs. In case any one is curious, my infusions alone will cost our insurance $180,000. WILD!!!

Treatment #4 is scheduled for upcoming Monday & Tuesday, which means a non-productive week.

Learning a lot about myself during this cancer journey. It’s hard to see large clumps of hair in the shower drain, but I’m thankful I...

Learning a lot about myself during this cancer journey. It’s hard to see large clumps of hair in the shower drain, but I’m thankful I have a lot up there to lose & that I should still keep most of my hair. I enjoy the socialization part of meals and sad that my chemo belly isn’t going to allow that for now. Grazing very small amounts has become my life. I have never appreciated sleep as much as I do now, but I still suck at quantity. Cancer exhaustion just cannot be explained.

Infusion day was shorter today-8:15 am to 10:45 am. Lower steroid dosage this treatment round means I might be more susceptible to side...

Infusion day was shorter today-8:15 am to 10:45 am. Lower steroid dosage this treatment round means I might be more susceptible to side effects. The main goal is to “stay ahead of the nausea,” so I’ve got my cruise vacation SeaBands on and have already started one of my prescription anti-nausea meds. Less steroids should, hopefully, reduce my headaches, keep my heart rate & blood pressure in normal range, and allow me to sleep better & longer.

Slow dripping IV in order to reduce possible allergic reactions to the medication. The nurse is hopeful that I will finish around 5 pm. We...

Slow dripping IV in order to reduce possible allergic reactions to the medication. The nurse is hopeful that I will finish around 5 pm. We will see.

West Cancer Center is BUSY this Tuesday. We have been here for over an hour and I am still waiting to be called back to the infusion area. ...

West Cancer Center is BUSY this Tuesday. We have been here for over an hour and I am still waiting to be called back to the infusion area. But I’ve been to the phlebotomy lab TWICE already. At this rate I predict I will be one of the last patients to leave the building like last month. Glad I packed snacks.

Tomorrow I will have bloodwork & visit with my hematologist, who will advise if there will be any adjustments to my treatment plan. My...

Tomorrow I will have bloodwork & visit with my hematologist, who will advise if there will be any adjustments to my treatment plan. My 3rd infusion cycle is scheduled for 9/3 & 9/4, and I am really hoping for a reduction in steroids, but doubting that will happen.
Trying to find the energy to sort through the many medical bills and insurance EOBs that are on our counter. Thankful that we have insurance, because I’m expensive.

It’s Monday morning, so I’m tackling the working in the office thing for as long as I can handle it. Lots of “hot flashes” today,...

It’s Monday morning, so I’m tackling the working in the office thing for as long as I can handle it. Lots of “hot flashes” today, and I’m already annoyed that I can feel the beginning of a headache. Sleeping for more than 6 hours in a day does not occur and I can’t help but assume that I still have steroids lingering around in my system. I have ALWAYS hated the way steroids made me feel, but this is an elevated level of annoyance.

It’s a very non-clinical explanation, but my infusion treatment should make me feel worse before it makes me feel better. Initially, it...

It’s a very non-clinical explanation, but my infusion treatment should make me feel worse before it makes me feel better. Initially, it causes my body to produce more of the unwanted protein in my blood, and then those cells should be “attacked.” I know my protein level is elevated today, because of the way my nose feels, since one of my symptoms is paresthesia and/or peripheral neuropathy. Most people experience this in their toes or fingers, but not me. For me, it’s my nose and lips.