Reference to my next chemo week...

Chain of Heart sewing group ladies, good news!  Since my chemo had to be delayed a week, I will be doing chemo during this month's get together.  Tuesday will be a short day for me, so I may be able to be there about 1:00 p.m.  I am thinking that since there needs to be 28 days until the next chemo, this rescheduling may put me in Kennewick on the second week each time.  That would be fun to look forward to.

A little sewing fun...

Another biopsy... (it will be 02/03)

Yesterday, Wednesday, went to two doctor appointments.  On the way there, the fog was so thick you couldn't see three broken lines ahead for half the trip.  Yet,  people were passing and zipping along as if it was a clear day!  I couldn't help but think of the needless accidents and injuries that take place due to poor decision making.  Guess that was on my mind because I think of when my son, Washington State Trooper, responds to horrific accidents how stupidity can affect many (including the emergency responders).  These are choices, and yet some of us do not have a choice in how our life progresses.

Since I am still having a few symptoms of the bug I was sick with, my Oncologist decided that he would like another week before my chemo begins again.  Jokingly, the doctor said that he didn't want me to be idle during next week, so... a biopsy is being scheduled on the mass connected to my thyroid.  The right side of my throat has a large mass/nodule.  The doctor said that many times a thyroid test will come back inconclusive, so another biopsy is ordered.  Since I have had so many problems with biopsy results, he and the Endocrinologist are sending samples into a "trial" test project.  The normal tests will be completed, as well as the trial test.  This trial test was approved, free of charge.  The test, can't remember the name of it, has a higher rate of accuracy and results.  The developing company needs more data to submit, so I am happy to receive an offer for quicker/accurate results.

After my visit with the Oncologist and blood tests, went to see my primary doctor.  He saw me through this bug/hospital visit.  I asked him about my lack of memory, etc.  It still baffles me that I cannot remember so much.  He laughed and said that it was good I was feeling so much better,  I could be entertaining.  Hmmmmm...I also found that I had additional visitors that I cannot remember.  Dehydration has a new meaning for me.

Finally,  I have a report on my blood work.  Guess I just didn't know the right way, or the right person to ask.  Long story short, I have my last report and will get a copy each time.  Now, I have to research how to read this report.  I guess I am unique?  It's like nobody else asks for these, I don't believe that.  The report may be okay, or not be what I like, but the information is important to me. 

Thought for the day... A cheerful heart is good medicine... Proverbs 17:22

Uh oh, I'm in trouble...

This morning I came out to say "good morning" and my brother-in-law said in jest, "you will be hearing from my attorney."  When I said in my prior post that this illness just seemed more like flu than chemo, I was right, as well as my doctor.  Allen is getting sick.  The combination of my just finishing chemo, having a low immune system and getting a bug was just too much for my system.  At least I don't have to panic about next month with chemo... I hope.  Allen's been away from chemo for a couple of months, hopefully that will be enough to keep him from getting as sick as I did. 

Today I am better, but still have a small fever.  I was really hoping that it was hot flashes, but nooooo.  I am diligent about keeping my fluids up now, it isn't fun being unstable due to dehydration.  Too many stories to pass around about me at the holiday dinner table!

Thought this was fun...
An element of the admission procedure in the hospital where Doctor Tim Westwood worked, was to ask the new patients if they suffered from any allergies.

If they did, Tim got it printed on a special 'allergy band' which was then placed on the patient's wrist as a reference for all other hospital employees.

On one particular occasion Tim asked an elderly woman if she had any allergies. The old dear responded by saying that she was unable to eat bananas.

Tim received a considerable surprise later in the day when a very irate son came out of the ward demanding, 'Who's responsible for labeling my mother 'bananas'?' guy-sports.com

Now, a message to my dear son... don't get any clever ideas of what you can do next hospital visit. (Ha ha)

Time Flies...

canstockphoto.com

The bad news is time flies...

The good news is you're the pilot.

---Michael Althsuler, indianchild.com

I can't believe that so much time has passed since I last posted.  Let me first say that while the above is true, I feel as if I have been a drunken pilot these past seven or more days. 

For the past week I been out of sorts.  The end result is that I lost (days) time!  After becoming confused, disoriented, weakness,  forgetting, and well just acting strange; plus being physically sick... my sister took me to the hospital and left me there!  Gloria's favorite phrase is "fix her and I will take her home."  It was all done in love, but I do remember a long time Gloria...  or I think I do.

Seriously, this month we thought was going to be a good one... no hives like last month, no problems.  Wrong.  I am  still not sure of what all went wrong.  One thing for sure was by having uncontrollable nausea and gastrointestinal issues my potassium level dropped too low.  (This is going to be a topic that I research and post on my other site.  In the meantime look at http://health.yahoo.net/channel/low-blood-potassium_causes-and-risk-factors  )  Also, my WBC (white blood cells) were off, platlets low, glucose and blood presssure out of order. 

I still do not know if this latest set back was chemo induced, or a bug.  My oncologist ran tests and said it was not a chemo reaction.  That diagnosis was not backed up by  tests the hospital ran.  The ER could not locate anything virus or bacteria.  So???  It all seemed so "flu like" to be strictly a chemo reaction.  Also, there was no reaction like this post chemo last month.  The doctor said that to have this much problem now, I should have reacted last month too.

During this time of confusion, due to low potassium, my sister related she knew I was in trouble when:

On the trip to the hospital I sat in the back seat (odd as I don't like the back seat).  Even though it was dark outside, I located my nail clippers and proceeded to diligently work on... no not my  nails, rather dismanteling the clippers.  Why?  Your guess is as good as mine.  Then, even though Gloria was driving I wanted her to take them and fix them. 

I honestly don't remember most of the week, who I spoke to or what I said.  Which brings up another issue.  I won't say what I said when the doctor asked me a question, but evidentally everyone was suprised by my answer.  No...  no cussing, but it could have promoted a political discussion.  Ask anyone who knows me, I don't do political arguments these days.  I just cannot handle to negative energy.  So, that was a suprise to me. 

There is more, but you get the point.  I am taking Klor-Con M20 APA to help bring my potassium back up.  Still feeling queasy, so taking Zofran (ondansetron).  The doctor said that Lorazepam also helps with nausea/queasy systems.  The Prochlorper did not even phase the upset stomach, so stopped taking that.  Another update on my medicine log.  Seems like I only need to print one log each week as it changes so often.

The log I am referring to is a sheet I take with me everywhere.  This has all of my contact, insurance, doctor, health issues, surgeries and year, medicine and supplement information, etc.  It is so handy to just pull it out and hand it to admitting.  I also put the latest revision date. 

Well, I know that I am better.  I remember to keep coming back to the computer to finish this post.  Trust me, that wasn't happening. 

I am very  thankful to my sister, brother-in-law and children during this ordeal.  My son spent his night off work keeping me in line at the hospital. Both he and my daughter-in-law came to the hospital helping and encouraging me.   My daughter, all of her positive thoughts were felt as far as the 1,000 miles that separate us.  Space is not relevent where the heart is involved. 

I am going to be a few days catching up on posts, reading comments, answering facebook and emails. 

It is early...

Plan ahead, don't forget the day...

Pizza and pop...

This is Thursday, yet all day I seem to think it is Tuesday.  I don’t want to begin this week again… 

Since the day is over, I (we) can laugh at it.  This week I have been anxious, thinking it was just part of the after chemo effects, I was just waiting it out.  Well, I really think that was part of it, but some of it was that I was without diet cola (my vice) for days as well as my sore tongue (thrush from chemo) stopping me from enjoying anything with flavor/taste.  Sounds nuts huh? 

Well, I mentioned to my sister that I wanted to get out of the house and go to Walmart.  In the back of my mind I was thinking while out, we can stop by the pizza parlor and get pizza and pop.  I didn’t mention this little bit of news to her though.  She seemed reluctant to me, and I think I became a bit anxious… nice for saying “if you don’t take me, I will drive myself even if my vision is blurry.”    While she dragged her heels this morning, dared to consider a nap about noon, oh boy… my nose flared.  A family trait when upset, it isn’t pretty.  She finally said, “you about ready to go?”  I didn’t even take the time to curl my hair, threw on clothes for the trip and was out the door and in the car before she got outside.  It’s a wonder I didn’t slip on the ice covering everything.

Did my shopping and went through the checkout before my normal time limit, as I noticed Gloria trying to call me to find out where I was at.  She and Allen came walking out the doors to find me sitting waiting for them.  Allen looked at me asking if I was sure I wanted to go out for pizza.  Guess I did look pretty droopy.  My answer was a resounding “yes I want pizza and pop!”  I have been watching my food intake so closely due to high glucose numbers.

We were waiting for the pizza to be prepared when I started in discussing how much time it was taking.  I am so glad that I only discussed this with my family.  It actually didn’t take that much time, but I was hungry.  No, I wanted to “taste” something.  I didn’t know that I was doing all of this, but after my first piece of pizza and glass of pop Gloria and Allen started laughing at me.  They said that my whole demeanor changed, it was like I had taken Prozac.  So, Gloria has decided to hide a six pack of diet cola and a pizza in the freezer for the next time I have withdrawals from pop and tasty food.  I should be embarrassed, but instead we are all laughing.  And to think, I was going to slap my sister for backing out of our little trip today.  Talk about a junkie! 

On a more serious note, a friend called me with a scripture read at church Sunday, Ezekiel 30: 20-22  It is something to ponder.