Well, its been a long day with appointments through out. Also had some MRI's yesterday. So the past two days have been exhausting. The Chemo hasnt caused too much havoc yet, other than it has me fatigued easily. Sooo... all and all, just been tired the last two days. Feeling good. WEAK, but good. MRI's of my back gave us some good news, in that it showed where radiation has had a positive effect on the areas of my spine where they hoped it would. The tumors seemed to be more controled, smaller in size maybe... and there is no nerve or spinal cord damage or risk their of. So that was great. All the weakness and numbness I am expiriencing is, as stated before, a side effect of the combination of drugs they have me on, which we are taking care of. Sounds like we are on track with everything, and time will tell.
Looking forward to relaxing and getting some rest the next couple days. More appointments next week, but we are on track, and thats a good thing. The support, once again, has been amazing! I keep saying that, but its sooo true. I cant say thank you enough. I tell those around me all the time, that I cannot imagine having to go at this any other way... without everyones support and help it wouldnt be possible.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
get set... gO!
One down...
As stated, today was the first of my chemotherapy treatments, and it was scheduled to be a 6 hour session. I got a pleasent surprise today as it only ended up being a couple hours all together. I guess there was some different approaches to the recipe that I recieved today, and that resulted in a shorter, but stronger dosage I guess? I dont know really, it was all kind of foriengn to me. A bit intimidating, but all and all, I was very excited to get that one under my belt and get on the way to remission. The entire expirience was hard to explain, and obiviously something I never thought I would go through. I am prepared for the side effects as we are all certain that they will present themselves at some point here soon. The combination of drugs they pumped into my blood stream today truly amazes me. The one chemical will literally burn your skin off, destroy your bare skin, but once placed in your blood stream its diluted just enough to not hurt you too bad, and attack the cancer cells its intended to. Think about that, its really amazing!
Thats about as plain and simple as you can put it. I sat around all day thinking about this type of thing. Thinking about what was really happening, and the actuallity of the situation. Its really down to the nitty gritty at this point. This is it!
As far as side effects, nothing really yet, just tired. My hair is on borrowed time, probably next day or two they said I can expect that to go. Every 2 weeks I will be getting chemo, and the side effects will intensify as they go.
I actually go for some more MRI's this week to keep an eye on things in my back, spine and head. We will go over those results with my Neuro Sergeon and Oncologist just to make sure that we have things under control, and that my spinal cord is not in jeopardy in any way shape or form. Their has been some issues with my jaw and head as late that may need attention, we will see. Also scheduled to have some heart tests to make certain my ticker is up to the chemo that I am about to recieve. Just when you think the scans and tests and needles are done, you get another weeks of appointments lined up, ha.
Getting excited about some good basketball coming up, conference tournys start this week, then on to march madness.
Keep the messages coming. Its great to read them all, and I truly appreciate the support. Its humbling and really chokes me up to think that your all their for me and my family. It certainly makes this a bit more comfortable. We will get through this, there is no option. I can't wait. It aint gonna be easy, but only the strong survive right? I got the impression today that his thing is going to put up a hell of a fight, but I know someone whose willing to put up one hell of a fight back, ha.
In the mean time, I have some pretty mean chops growing here... hate to see em go
I gotta shower, its been a few days.
As stated, today was the first of my chemotherapy treatments, and it was scheduled to be a 6 hour session. I got a pleasent surprise today as it only ended up being a couple hours all together. I guess there was some different approaches to the recipe that I recieved today, and that resulted in a shorter, but stronger dosage I guess? I dont know really, it was all kind of foriengn to me. A bit intimidating, but all and all, I was very excited to get that one under my belt and get on the way to remission. The entire expirience was hard to explain, and obiviously something I never thought I would go through. I am prepared for the side effects as we are all certain that they will present themselves at some point here soon. The combination of drugs they pumped into my blood stream today truly amazes me. The one chemical will literally burn your skin off, destroy your bare skin, but once placed in your blood stream its diluted just enough to not hurt you too bad, and attack the cancer cells its intended to. Think about that, its really amazing!
Thats about as plain and simple as you can put it. I sat around all day thinking about this type of thing. Thinking about what was really happening, and the actuallity of the situation. Its really down to the nitty gritty at this point. This is it!
As far as side effects, nothing really yet, just tired. My hair is on borrowed time, probably next day or two they said I can expect that to go. Every 2 weeks I will be getting chemo, and the side effects will intensify as they go.
I actually go for some more MRI's this week to keep an eye on things in my back, spine and head. We will go over those results with my Neuro Sergeon and Oncologist just to make sure that we have things under control, and that my spinal cord is not in jeopardy in any way shape or form. Their has been some issues with my jaw and head as late that may need attention, we will see. Also scheduled to have some heart tests to make certain my ticker is up to the chemo that I am about to recieve. Just when you think the scans and tests and needles are done, you get another weeks of appointments lined up, ha.
Getting excited about some good basketball coming up, conference tournys start this week, then on to march madness.
Keep the messages coming. Its great to read them all, and I truly appreciate the support. Its humbling and really chokes me up to think that your all their for me and my family. It certainly makes this a bit more comfortable. We will get through this, there is no option. I can't wait. It aint gonna be easy, but only the strong survive right? I got the impression today that his thing is going to put up a hell of a fight, but I know someone whose willing to put up one hell of a fight back, ha.
In the mean time, I have some pretty mean chops growing here... hate to see em go
I gotta shower, its been a few days.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
on your mark!
Well, the port is installed, and I am ready to begin chemothreapy tomorrow at 9am. I am scheduled for a 6-7 hour session, so a long day is in store. I am ready though... ready to get on with this. As stated in earlier posts, I had a few days the last week that were worse than others, but all and all, I am still feeling pretty dang swell. I got out with my Grandpa today to drink coffee with the guys from work, which was nice, for both of us.
I am eager to get on with the next phase of this fight. I finished up my last radiation treatment this morning, for now anyway. The focus now is chemo, and getting some strength back through physical threapy and exercise.
As for now, its time for the nightly routine of blood pressure, tempurature, medications topped off with the fruity laxitive drink !!!! I will have my computer and blackberry tomorrow for 6 hours while hooked up to chemo so keep the messages coming! I'm out
I am eager to get on with the next phase of this fight. I finished up my last radiation treatment this morning, for now anyway. The focus now is chemo, and getting some strength back through physical threapy and exercise.
As for now, its time for the nightly routine of blood pressure, tempurature, medications topped off with the fruity laxitive drink !!!! I will have my computer and blackberry tomorrow for 6 hours while hooked up to chemo so keep the messages coming! I'm out
Monday, March 1, 2010
side effects
This is all part of it I guess. To make a long story short...I am on quite a few prescriptions since this all began a month ago. Some of those medications, although they are needed and beneficial in the fight against cancer, have some adverse side effects. Weird odd side effects, not to mention, when you ween off them, they take on a whole new face and do weird things. Plus throw 3 weeks radiation in there and thats where I am at now. If I was to stay on some of these medications long enough, they can be harmful, so we are working on try to taper off some of the dosages. In doing so I have become very weak. One of the side effects is muscle fatigue and deterioration. So now the new challenge is overcoming this weekness. I cannot desribe how deteriorated my muscles have become, especially my legs. Apparently, this is all part of it, which I was ensured was the case after speaking with Dr. Paloyan. The steriod I am on is very effective from an oncologic standpoint, but as stated, extended use is harmful, and the procress of weening off of it can be tricky.
I can't really complain. I am just about a month into this diagnosis and really have not had too many adverse side effects from anything until now. The radiation has a few that I am coping with now, and this medication issue, but all and all, life ain't bad, and surly could be worse.
Some exercise and physical threapy is probably in store in the future as soon as my back is up to it. As for now, its more radiation this morning. This evening I am scheduled to have a port installed at the hospital, a simple outpatient procedure. The biggest issue with that is the 12 hours of fasting before.
I can't really complain. I am just about a month into this diagnosis and really have not had too many adverse side effects from anything until now. The radiation has a few that I am coping with now, and this medication issue, but all and all, life ain't bad, and surly could be worse.
Some exercise and physical threapy is probably in store in the future as soon as my back is up to it. As for now, its more radiation this morning. This evening I am scheduled to have a port installed at the hospital, a simple outpatient procedure. The biggest issue with that is the 12 hours of fasting before.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
