The best thing about my immediate family is that we all genuinely enjoy each others' company. We get along well about 95% of the time. That other 5% is mostly due to us all being somewhat hot-headed and temperamental from time to time. Luckily, most of the time, only one of us has a bad attitude at a time.
MJ, Dixie the Jack Russell fur baby, and I showed up at my family's house on Late Standard Time, as usual. Mom & my sister were heading out the door to go to Thanksgiving lunch at an aunt's & uncle's house as we were walking in. Dad was recovering from surgery so he stayed home and had the added bonus of a cute little dog to cuddle and nap with him while we were all gone. I got a mean case of chemo brain and made a wrong turn, which made me feel rather stupid and made us even later. We ended up being about 45 minutes late to lunch.
The food was delicious, and I stuffed myself silly.
I got to see some cousins & other family members that I rarely get to see. It was a really good day, and I felt pretty decent too.
All the activity of the day certainly wore me down, because I fell asleep before 9pm.
The following day was the dreaded Black Friday. After working retail for many years, I avoid shopping on this day. I find the violent commercialism utterly distasteful.
My mom, sister and I started the tradition of going for hikes instead. We normally do part of the Palmetto Trail, but this year, I just couldn't hike 6+ miles. We did about 2 1/4 miles instead, which was coincidentally about all I could handle. I passed out at 8:30 that evening, and I slept like the dead.
29 November 2013
25 November 2013
CT Ready
My breakfast this morning was "mocha" flavored Readi-CAT barium "smoothie." The quotes are mine, not theirs.
My doctor's office gave me an instruction sheet to prep for the CT scan. It said to take the Readi-CAT 1 1/2 hours before the procedure. It was chalky and metallic-tasting, and might be misconstrued as "mocha" if I had completely forgotten what chocolate and coffee taste like. It was not the breakfast I was looking for.
The instruction sheet also cautioned that I might have to drink more Readi-CAT before the procedure.
And, I probably should have taken an anti-nausea pill with it.
I wasn't supposed to eat anything this morning, but I was so hungry when I woke up - borderline HANGRY - I was looking for loopholes... Other than my "smoothie," I'm sad to report that there were none. I did drink 1/2 cup of coffee, because I figured *that* wasn't technically "eating" anything. I'm sitting here now, daydreaming of what I will be able to eat once I get this CT scan done.
Update:
I had to drink another "smoothie" once they called me back to prep for the CT scan. It was equally "delicious;" it was also equally chilled.
It took 45 minutes to get my port accessed and to get set up for the CT scan.
The CT scan itself?? 7 minutes. The contrast dye was HOT going through my port. I felt like I was on fire from the inside, but not in a terrible way, because it was so COLD today. It also made me feel like I'd peed myself a little. I was warned about this sensation, and I assure you that I didn't pee myself today.
Lucky for me, the radiology people left my port accessed so that I could walk over to my oncologist's office for all my labs.
Blood work was good today. No shots needed!!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
I had to drink another "smoothie" once they called me back to prep for the CT scan. It was equally "delicious;" it was also equally chilled.
It took 45 minutes to get my port accessed and to get set up for the CT scan.
The CT scan itself?? 7 minutes. The contrast dye was HOT going through my port. I felt like I was on fire from the inside, but not in a terrible way, because it was so COLD today. It also made me feel like I'd peed myself a little. I was warned about this sensation, and I assure you that I didn't pee myself today.
Lucky for me, the radiology people left my port accessed so that I could walk over to my oncologist's office for all my labs.
Blood work was good today. No shots needed!!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
14 November 2013
Lola's Chemo #4
This week, I had only about 2 days where I felt like myself. The rest of the time? I was simply exhausted. I have slept so much in the past 3 weeks, and part of that might be the fact that I was trying desperately not to get sick, trying to manage severe bone pain for 4 days, and trying to work through it all.
07 November 2013
Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want
That title isn't just my favorite Smiths song...
In the weeks between my chemotherapy infusions, I go to get lab work done & see my oncologist for visits. After my 2nd infusion, my aunt delightedly confirmed that she is also unable to feel the formerly lime-sized tumor that took up residency in my right breast. Today, my oncologist suggested that we get some scans done after my next infusion, and (in his words) "re-evaluate the course of treatment."
So, perhaps, my next treatment might be my last full chemo infusion. Cross fingers, everyone.
In the weeks between my chemotherapy infusions, I go to get lab work done & see my oncologist for visits. After my 2nd infusion, my aunt delightedly confirmed that she is also unable to feel the formerly lime-sized tumor that took up residency in my right breast. Today, my oncologist suggested that we get some scans done after my next infusion, and (in his words) "re-evaluate the course of treatment."
So, perhaps, my next treatment might be my last full chemo infusion. Cross fingers, everyone.
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