First week down, Eleven to go

I had my first postoperative chemo today. I have a 12 week course of chemo. Today, I just had one drug, Gemcitabine (Gemzar.) This drug causes bone marrow depression, decreasing the white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Bone marrow depression usually occurs seven days after the drug is given and may increase risk of infection, fatigue, & bleeding. So, I'll be going back into my isolation mode. I was at UPMC about three hours. I had a Dr.s visit with my oncologist, blood drawn, and then the meds. I was pre-treated with Ativan & Decadron and then received the Gemzar. I also had two boluses of 0.9% saline for hydration. So, today went well. Yay! Next week, I will receive Gemzar and Cysplatin. Next weeks chemo will be six hours. Yikes! We did have another discussion on the loss of hair and now they are not sure of the outcome. Greg, thanks for bringing me the ball cap up from Texas. It may come in quite handy. I promise to wear it either way.
I always feel good immediately after chemo from all the premedication. So, I think I will go & enjoy this feeling. Happy New Year!, Linda

Christmas Comments

Monday Morning

Yesterday, I went to church for the first time since my saga began. It was so good to see everyone, the congregation clapped that I was back. That was nice. I will say those pews are awfully hard when your back & ribs (fractured) are leaning on them. Ouch! Saturday, I had an esophogram @ NSH and my friend was my X-ray tech. Thanks, Diane. I was very glad to see her. She let me sit for the test because I was feeling awfully weak. Anyway, Dr. Marina was making sure that I didn't have any esophageal strictures from the radiation. And, I didn't! Just some gas in the esophagus they feel may be surgery related. I can't figure that one out. Anyone have any ideas on that? I had been exhausted, having muscle weakness, trembling, & feeling generally terrible. I stopped the Reglan after the last dose Friday night and it has made a big difference. Also, on Saturday, Kara &  I went to a wonderful spa-like place in Columbiana called Shine. Alan saw them on the news and wrote down the information. This darling girl started taking care of chemo patients who lose their hair after her mother had breast cancer, lost her hair, & had a terrible experience at a shop on Mahoning Avenue. They had her sit on a chair in the middle of the store & try on wigs. I had a consultation in a PRIVATE cheerful room and picked out a wig. It looks so like my hair, I knew it was the one immediately. Now, if I start to lose my hair, I call her, she overnights the wig, and I go in the next day. She said she will come in on her day off  if necessary. She will shave my head :(  and cut & style the wig. Now, that is taken care of, I feel much better. Everyone who has been through this tells me to just get shaved. As traumatic as it may be, it is better than waking up with large clumps of hair on your pillow or falling out as you eat, shop, etc. Since the wig is from the Raquel Welch line, I figure some talent agent might pick me up. Hahaha!  Shawn, Jen, & Cooper are coming in from Charlotte on Tuesday night. They will have to leave for home after dinner on Christmas because of Jen's work.We're all just so happy that they'll be home for Christmas. Have a Merry Christmas, enjoy your families & GOOD HEALTH!

CHEMO ROUND II

I went to the oncologist yesterday. He was also pleased with the results of the preoperative chemo and radiation. I start my next course of chemo on December  28th. He was going to start on the 21st, but I got an extension. It will be for 12 weeks, a combination of two different drugs. They will see if I can tolerate the one, lots of nausea/vomiting associated with it. I have medications to take at home ( Emend & Compazine), and they medicate a lot prior to each treatment. This is my final stretch. I'm not looking forward to it, for sure. I hope to remain strong, eat, hydrate, & keep some strength up. Then, I will be very happy to say "Good-Bye"" to my onccologist. There is one possible side effect that I am dreading. However, I am going to be proactive and have an appt. with a specialized hairdresser, you get my drift. So anyway, the saga continues. Hope your holidays are going well. Linda

Hi

One good thing about recuperating is not having to go out in this frigid weather. I bet everyone is busy with Christmas preparations. We got our Christmas gift early in the form of a good report from my surgeon. The postoperative chemotherapy is viewed as an "insurance policy" in case any of those nasty little cells are lurking around microscopically. I go to the oncologist Monday to discuss this next phase. He earlier had mentioned 4-6 months of therapy. Two weeks on, one week off, etc. I am hoping I can wait until I feel better & stronger. However, if it's detrimental, I will have to gear up for it. I came this far through impossible odds-I have to stay strong. As always, my family & friends have pulled me through. For this, I thank all of you. It is amazing what we can do when challenged. Peace, Linda

Hi Everyone

This is quite the test of my endurance. The pain is always with me, sometimes bearable, occasionally unbearable. The meds take the edge off, but leave me feeling like a zombie. I was really glad to get the chest tube out. It was so painful at the insertion site. I was hoping to feel so much better by now. I think my greatest pain is from the rib fractures. Yesterday, Kara took me to their house to do my hair, etc. That was the first time that I went out in the car that I wasn't going to a Dr. or hospital. That's progress. I am incredibly weak-I'm trying to walk around the house & gain some strength. I love all of the beautiful cards & notes that I have been receiving. Thank you so much. I'm sure everyone is getting ready for Christmas. Enjoy the season, Linda

Latest News ~ from Kara

The chest tube is out! The staples are gone! New pain meds have been ordered! Mom had a good appointment with the surgeon Friday. She's still having the pain, but the nausea seems to be under control (for now). She actually was able to sleep last night for longer than 2 hours -- a big improvement! Hopefully she will begin to improve and feel better. I hope everyone is doing well and getting ready for Christmas. Thanks to all for your continued prayers and support. One thing is certain -- our family has much to be grateful for this holiday season!

Another trip to the ER ~ from Kara

I apologize that this blog isn't being updated as frequently as I'd like. It has been a rough few weeks. Mom is still in intense pain and keeps getting extremely nauseated. Today she landed back in the ER at Northside. Yesterday she had developed a new, sharp pain in her upper left chest. It was causing her A LOT of discomfort. Then today her chest tube began draining at the incision site. A call to her nurse resulted in her being sent to the hospital. She had a chest Xray, EKG, lab work, etc. They also gave her morphine for the pain, and fluids. My dad just called from the hospital to let me know that now she is having a CT scan. I believe they ordered it because she is post-op and they want to be sure that there are no blood clots, etc. It has been over 5 hours and they are still at the hospital. I will update when I know more.