Well, now I appreciate the VAD port...now that they can't use it!!! Don't get me wrong, having an I.V. isn't the end of the world, but using the port was much easier and less stressful for me. I hate needles. Yes, I have tattoos, but I hate needles going into my veins. It's gross.
Anyway, it went fine. Although I am now sporting a lovely silver medic alert bracelet. I did not know that for my lifetime I can not have blood pressure checks or needles in my left arm. The side I had the mastectomy on. So I'll get used to it - the bracelet that is.
Anyway....I'm pretty excited...I have the date of my 4th - MY LAST treatment!!! It is May 20th. And then.....I can start moving forward. Thirty days after the last treatment I can get the port removed and have the final reconstructive work done. I'll also start hormone therapy and...hmm....I think that's it. Oh - I'm having some serious pain in my left ribcage so I have to go see a Physical Therapist. They're not sure if a muscle is in spasm that was in an awkward position during the second surgery. It hurts like hell, I'll tell ya' that.
Ok, so Sunday morning (yes, total change of subject) my mom and I went out to breakfast at a restaurant that I still call "Ron's" because it has changed names so many times. Anyway, I love that place and had a great meal. When we were walking out of the restaurant, I got hit with another great memory......
When Patty and Shaun got married at the Governor's Inn, they stayed there on their wedding night and then all the Lachance's met at Ron's for breakfast the next morning. It was a warm morning and I think it had been raining a little bit. Anyway......we were all standing outside and a guy drove by with the "Macarena" song cranked in his car and we started doing some of the dance moves on the sidewalk. The wedding was a blast. Patty had just taught me how to do the Macarena a week or two before the wedding, and of course they played it at the wedding so we could all display our stellar moves!!!
Anyway, I digress. I love my Lachance family. Hugs to all of you.
Doris
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Time.
Time is a fascinating thing. We either have too much of it, or not enough. We use it, we abuse it, we ignore it, and yet we want more of it.
It goes by too fast when we're on vacation...or enjoying a weekend away from work. It goes by too fast when we reflect back on our lives. It goes by before we are able to absorb that we have done something wrong and that we are unable to turn back....to correct or fix the damage.
It goes by too slowly when we are awaiting test results....or we are anticipating an exciting event...or when you're half way through chemo treatment and want it over so you can have a full head of hair again!!!
I need to learn to appreciate my time. Because time goes by quickly.
Doris
It goes by too fast when we're on vacation...or enjoying a weekend away from work. It goes by too fast when we reflect back on our lives. It goes by before we are able to absorb that we have done something wrong and that we are unable to turn back....to correct or fix the damage.
It goes by too slowly when we are awaiting test results....or we are anticipating an exciting event...or when you're half way through chemo treatment and want it over so you can have a full head of hair again!!!
I need to learn to appreciate my time. Because time goes by quickly.
Doris
Takin' a ride...
..on an emotional rollercoaster today.
Anticipating Tuesday's treatment - #3.
Definitely affected by the crummy weather.
Anticipating Tuesday's treatment - #3.
Definitely affected by the crummy weather.
Friday, April 25, 2008
I'm doin' ok.
It was a very long week and I've been tired. I've been able to work, but that's about the extent of it. When I get home I take it easy and try to get to bed early. Appetite has been ok. I do feel thirsty often. Skin problems weren't nearly as bad this time around.
Third treatment is Tuesday. Tuesday night I'll take an Ambien and try to get a good nights sleep so that I can work on Wednesday. Now that I know how the steroids effect me, I can try to work around it and plan accordingly.
After Tuesday there will only be one treatment left. After the first treatment, when (at the time) I didn't know I was suffering from the flu, I remember saying to myself "I can't do this....I can't go through this 3 more times." Now I'm excited to finish the full course of treatment.
Thanks for checking in.
Doris
Third treatment is Tuesday. Tuesday night I'll take an Ambien and try to get a good nights sleep so that I can work on Wednesday. Now that I know how the steroids effect me, I can try to work around it and plan accordingly.
After Tuesday there will only be one treatment left. After the first treatment, when (at the time) I didn't know I was suffering from the flu, I remember saying to myself "I can't do this....I can't go through this 3 more times." Now I'm excited to finish the full course of treatment.
Thanks for checking in.
Doris
Monday, April 21, 2008
Not what I expected...
So I went to my Oncologist appointment which was at 1pm. I just got home a little while ago. Let me begin at the beginning.
During the start of my last chemo treatment the nurse got a very quick blood return and then it was gone. I got my treatment and then the next day had bruising that outlined the catheter straight up to my clavicle. The nurse and physician's assistant both checked it out the next day when I went in for my Neulasta shot and they just said to keep an eye on it and if it got worse to give them a call.
Anyway....today I go in for my follow up from last week's chemo and the nurse tried to draw blood using the VAD port instead of my vein in my arm. She couldn't get a blood return. So...they flushed the port and still could not get a blood return. I ended up having to get an x-ray with contrast to have the VAD port checked to make sure it was operating properly. The Radiologist came in and they injected the contrast and he read the x-rays. Basically, a 'fibroid sheath' has grown at the end of the catheter and it will allow fluid in, but will not allow blood to return. If this isn't making sense, I'll try to be clearer. Anyway....I went back to Dr. Hammond's office and they injected a fluid into the port that he referred to as "Drano" which was essentially to try to clear the blockage. Needless to say, it did not work. So the nurse flushed the port a second time and then they removed the access tube.
I just got off the phone with Tracy, Dr. Hammond's nurse. She said that Dr. Hammond will discontinue using the port for chemo. So for the next two chemo treatments and all the follow up blood draws they require, they will use my veins instead of the port.
The good news is my blood counts came back "perfect" (Dr. Hammond's word) and that is a great relief because as many of you know, if the blood counts aren't good, it will prolong chemo and God knows I am SO ready for it to be over!!!
I'm tired. When I get tired I get very emotional. So yeah..I'm emotional. I mean - I guess this is what I mean when I say I seem to take two steps forward and one step back. Anyway, I'm gonna' head to bed early. Thanks for checking in.
Doris
During the start of my last chemo treatment the nurse got a very quick blood return and then it was gone. I got my treatment and then the next day had bruising that outlined the catheter straight up to my clavicle. The nurse and physician's assistant both checked it out the next day when I went in for my Neulasta shot and they just said to keep an eye on it and if it got worse to give them a call.
Anyway....today I go in for my follow up from last week's chemo and the nurse tried to draw blood using the VAD port instead of my vein in my arm. She couldn't get a blood return. So...they flushed the port and still could not get a blood return. I ended up having to get an x-ray with contrast to have the VAD port checked to make sure it was operating properly. The Radiologist came in and they injected the contrast and he read the x-rays. Basically, a 'fibroid sheath' has grown at the end of the catheter and it will allow fluid in, but will not allow blood to return. If this isn't making sense, I'll try to be clearer. Anyway....I went back to Dr. Hammond's office and they injected a fluid into the port that he referred to as "Drano" which was essentially to try to clear the blockage. Needless to say, it did not work. So the nurse flushed the port a second time and then they removed the access tube.
I just got off the phone with Tracy, Dr. Hammond's nurse. She said that Dr. Hammond will discontinue using the port for chemo. So for the next two chemo treatments and all the follow up blood draws they require, they will use my veins instead of the port.
The good news is my blood counts came back "perfect" (Dr. Hammond's word) and that is a great relief because as many of you know, if the blood counts aren't good, it will prolong chemo and God knows I am SO ready for it to be over!!!
I'm tired. When I get tired I get very emotional. So yeah..I'm emotional. I mean - I guess this is what I mean when I say I seem to take two steps forward and one step back. Anyway, I'm gonna' head to bed early. Thanks for checking in.
Doris
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Sun and fun with my Son!!!!
Ok - my friend Lisa will tell you that what I am about to say is sooooooo not me!!!
I found myself this morning asking Jake over and over again "Wanna go to _____? Wanna' do _______?" and to everything I would ask he would say "Nah" and was perfectly happy laying on the floor surrounded by all of his art supplies and drawing pictures. Evidently he has learned about drawing "stink lines" when he draws pictures of 'smelly things' - he's such a knucklehead!!!
Anyway, I digress.
So, finally at 1:30 after numerous extravagent pencil drawings and too many episodes of Spongebob, I convinced him to get outside and play. So we went to his school and played on the swingset. Can I just tell you that other than sitting on a swing at that same playground last summer, I haven't swung on a swing since I was seeing Eric and we would walk down to the park by his parents house and just talk and swing in the middle of the night. That memory came back to me today. Sitting there with my son, swinging and giggling and hearing him say "Mommy this is the best day ever!!!" What more could you ask for? I'm not asking for a thing. All I need I have right here with me now. An incredible son, the love of family and friends, a steady job, a safe home and a dependable vehicle. I am blessed.
Today was the best day ever. I can't wait for tomorrow!
Sweet dreams,
Doris
I found myself this morning asking Jake over and over again "Wanna go to _____? Wanna' do _______?" and to everything I would ask he would say "Nah" and was perfectly happy laying on the floor surrounded by all of his art supplies and drawing pictures. Evidently he has learned about drawing "stink lines" when he draws pictures of 'smelly things' - he's such a knucklehead!!!
Anyway, I digress.
So, finally at 1:30 after numerous extravagent pencil drawings and too many episodes of Spongebob, I convinced him to get outside and play. So we went to his school and played on the swingset. Can I just tell you that other than sitting on a swing at that same playground last summer, I haven't swung on a swing since I was seeing Eric and we would walk down to the park by his parents house and just talk and swing in the middle of the night. That memory came back to me today. Sitting there with my son, swinging and giggling and hearing him say "Mommy this is the best day ever!!!" What more could you ask for? I'm not asking for a thing. All I need I have right here with me now. An incredible son, the love of family and friends, a steady job, a safe home and a dependable vehicle. I am blessed.
Today was the best day ever. I can't wait for tomorrow!
Sweet dreams,
Doris
My 64th post....
Good moring everyone. My son was wide awake and ready to go at 6:26 this morning. Now mind you, last night he announced "mommy I wanna' sleep all day tomorrow is that ok?" Oh well...I knew it was too good to be true!
Anyway....what to say.....what to say....I feel great. I have energy. Appetite is good. I am actually "eager" to do the next round of chemo...because then I'll only have ONE left!!! Dare I say it? Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehaw!!!!
This weather has brought out the happy emotions and has the old endorphins going. Jake loves to be outside, so he already has a base tan started. I relax and enjoy the sunshine and he plays, and plays, and plays.
I guess that's it for today's entry. I hope everyone takes a few moments today to stop, look, listen and breathe in the clean fresh air. My dad always did that and I now know and appreciate those simple things. Probably because I have come to realize that such beauty was created by someone of my higher power then we.
Take care,
Doris
One more thing ---- I laughed so much at worked yesterday, I can't even tell you. I am blessed to have some phenomenal co-workers!!
Anyway....what to say.....what to say....I feel great. I have energy. Appetite is good. I am actually "eager" to do the next round of chemo...because then I'll only have ONE left!!! Dare I say it? Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehaw!!!!
This weather has brought out the happy emotions and has the old endorphins going. Jake loves to be outside, so he already has a base tan started. I relax and enjoy the sunshine and he plays, and plays, and plays.
I guess that's it for today's entry. I hope everyone takes a few moments today to stop, look, listen and breathe in the clean fresh air. My dad always did that and I now know and appreciate those simple things. Probably because I have come to realize that such beauty was created by someone of my higher power then we.
Take care,
Doris
One more thing ---- I laughed so much at worked yesterday, I can't even tell you. I am blessed to have some phenomenal co-workers!!
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