Wednesday, July 21, 2010
“Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
The Lord has again been watching over me! His healing hand is ever powerful!
Thanks for all the encouraging messages, cards and e-mails we received prior to my surgery. I had my surgery yesterday, and am home again today. I was quite groggy for most of the day yesterday, but today I feel good. Surgery went well and I haven’t been experiencing much pain. Other than that, I have nothing else new to report.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Saturday, July 10, 2010
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6 & 7
I thought I should give you all another update. I had my last chemo on Monday, June 28th. I think I am over the worst of the side effects now. After this chemo I was exhausted for just over a week. I was tired already the day I had my chemo, which was different from other times…the other times I was fine the first two days because of the steroids I was on, but they didn’t seem to have that effect this time. I now have energy to do things. The sore bones lasted longer this time, but it wasn’t as severe. When I took Tylenol, it took care of the pain. The third anti-nausea medication helped with the nausea.
Now that I am finished with the chemo, I don’t have to see the medical oncologist until December 24th, but that will probably be changed to a later date because she doesn’t need to see me until my surgery and radiation are finished.
I get to look forward to surgery which is scheduled for July 20th at the Univerity of Alberta Hospital. I am a little apprehensive about the surgery because I’ve never been put under before. I have decided to have a full mastectomy on the right side based on the surgeon’s recommendation. I will also have some lymph nodes removed under my arm on the right side. I am told that I will be admitted on the 20th, have the surgery and be released the next day.
I have a CT scan booked for Tuesday, July 13th and a pre-admission clinic for Thursday, July 15th. On August 3rd I have an appointment to have the radiation beams lined up and I expect to start radiation within the following two week.
Basically that’s all I have to report at this time. I hope everyone has a wonderful and up-building weekend!
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6 & 7
I thought I should give you all another update. I had my last chemo on Monday, June 28th. I think I am over the worst of the side effects now. After this chemo I was exhausted for just over a week. I was tired already the day I had my chemo, which was different from other times…the other times I was fine the first two days because of the steroids I was on, but they didn’t seem to have that effect this time. I now have energy to do things. The sore bones lasted longer this time, but it wasn’t as severe. When I took Tylenol, it took care of the pain. The third anti-nausea medication helped with the nausea.
Now that I am finished with the chemo, I don’t have to see the medical oncologist until December 24th, but that will probably be changed to a later date because she doesn’t need to see me until my surgery and radiation are finished.
I get to look forward to surgery which is scheduled for July 20th at the Univerity of Alberta Hospital. I am a little apprehensive about the surgery because I’ve never been put under before. I have decided to have a full mastectomy on the right side based on the surgeon’s recommendation. I will also have some lymph nodes removed under my arm on the right side. I am told that I will be admitted on the 20th, have the surgery and be released the next day.
I have a CT scan booked for Tuesday, July 13th and a pre-admission clinic for Thursday, July 15th. On August 3rd I have an appointment to have the radiation beams lined up and I expect to start radiation within the following two week.
Basically that’s all I have to report at this time. I hope everyone has a wonderful and up-building weekend!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
“Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”” Psalm 16:1 & 2
I guess it’s about time for another update. After my chemo on May 13th, I had about 5 days that I wasn’t feeling great … nausea, fatigue, and sore bones. Apparently, the sore bones are from the needle I have to give myself to boost my white blood cell count, more than the chemo itself. It works in the bone marrow. I can take Tylenol for the sore bones, and it does make me a little more comfortable. As far as the nausea is concerned, I do have an anti-nausea medication (which I forgot about last time) that I can take in addition to what I am taking already. I had used this medication after my first round of chemo, and found that it didn’t really make a difference. Because I am on a different drug now, the nurse said it should help…we’ll see!
My lab appointment and exam on Friday went well. Nothing new to really report there. My chemo on Monday (yes, they moved the chemo to the next working day) also went well. So far I am feeling ok, but am expecting the next few days to be about the same as last time, hopefully not quite as bad!
I have a consult appointment booked with my surgeon on June 18th, and if everything goes the way it’s planned, he expects to do surgery during the week of July 19th.
My last chemo (Yay!!) is scheduled for the 28th of June, and of course I have a lab appointment and exam the previous working day, June. 25th.
‘Till next time!
“Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”” Psalm 16:1 & 2
I guess it’s about time for another update. After my chemo on May 13th, I had about 5 days that I wasn’t feeling great … nausea, fatigue, and sore bones. Apparently, the sore bones are from the needle I have to give myself to boost my white blood cell count, more than the chemo itself. It works in the bone marrow. I can take Tylenol for the sore bones, and it does make me a little more comfortable. As far as the nausea is concerned, I do have an anti-nausea medication (which I forgot about last time) that I can take in addition to what I am taking already. I had used this medication after my first round of chemo, and found that it didn’t really make a difference. Because I am on a different drug now, the nurse said it should help…we’ll see!
My lab appointment and exam on Friday went well. Nothing new to really report there. My chemo on Monday (yes, they moved the chemo to the next working day) also went well. So far I am feeling ok, but am expecting the next few days to be about the same as last time, hopefully not quite as bad!
I have a consult appointment booked with my surgeon on June 18th, and if everything goes the way it’s planned, he expects to do surgery during the week of July 19th.
My last chemo (Yay!!) is scheduled for the 28th of June, and of course I have a lab appointment and exam the previous working day, June. 25th.
‘Till next time!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” Psalm 40:2-3
God was watching over me again today! All praise be to Him!
Another short update...Surgery went really well this morning. I was told to expect it to take up to an hour and a half, but it went so smooth I was in an out of the operating room in a half an hour! My chemo also went well today, again no allergic reaction. I was told that 90% of the time that people react to this drug it is either the first or second time they receive it, and this was the second time, so next time, the odds of me having an allergic reaction are reduced.
God’s hand is ever powerful!!
My next chemo, lab, and exam appointments are all on the same day…June 4th—one less trip to the city!!
…Until next time…
“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.” Psalm 40:2-3
God was watching over me again today! All praise be to Him!
Another short update...Surgery went really well this morning. I was told to expect it to take up to an hour and a half, but it went so smooth I was in an out of the operating room in a half an hour! My chemo also went well today, again no allergic reaction. I was told that 90% of the time that people react to this drug it is either the first or second time they receive it, and this was the second time, so next time, the odds of me having an allergic reaction are reduced.
God’s hand is ever powerful!!
My next chemo, lab, and exam appointments are all on the same day…June 4th—one less trip to the city!!
…Until next time…
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.” Psalm 28:7
Well, things are progressing again! All praise and glory to God! I received a letter in the mail yesterday stating that our insurance company will cover my Neulasta prescription so I phoned the CCI to book my chemo. They gave me an appointment for tomorrow, after my central line is inserted. Nice…one less trip to Edmonton! I did go to Edmonton for an education class on central lines today. With the central line, I will have to change the dressings and flush it myself…not a problem…I’ve seen the nurses do this to my PICC line and it’s pretty much the same process. They did show me exactly what I have to do today as well, so I feel pretty confident that I can handle it.
That’s all the news for today! Have a great evening!
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song.” Psalm 28:7
Well, things are progressing again! All praise and glory to God! I received a letter in the mail yesterday stating that our insurance company will cover my Neulasta prescription so I phoned the CCI to book my chemo. They gave me an appointment for tomorrow, after my central line is inserted. Nice…one less trip to Edmonton! I did go to Edmonton for an education class on central lines today. With the central line, I will have to change the dressings and flush it myself…not a problem…I’ve seen the nurses do this to my PICC line and it’s pretty much the same process. They did show me exactly what I have to do today as well, so I feel pretty confident that I can handle it.
That’s all the news for today! Have a great evening!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Friday, May 07, 2010
“Each of us may be sure that if God sends us on stony paths He will provide us with strong shoes, and He will not send us out on any journey for which He does not equip us well.” Alexander Maclaren
I guess it’s time for another update…actually I should have updated this sooner, but I didn’t know what to write. More about that later…
Let’s first go back to my consultation with the radiation oncologist…I had an appointment with her on April 26th. Basically, she took my history, did an exam and explained the radiation process and side effects to me. The plan is that I will receive radiation for six week….every week day, except holidays. The radiation sessions are not long, but I will have to go to Edmonton for them. This won’t happen until about four weeks after I have surgery.
On May 4th I had another appointment for blood work and an exam. My blood work came back good, it was back up to where it was supposed to be. I was scheduled to have my next chemo, the next day, but because of my infection, my PICC line was removed. My oncologist sent me to a chemo nurse to see what she thought of the possibility of getting my chemo through an I.V. The nurse looked at my veins, and determined that maybe she could get one treatment in, but there was no way she could get three in. (I need three more treatments.) My doctor then determined that I would need a central line inserted…it’s the same idea as a PICC line, but they put it through your chest. Of course this needed to be scheduled…so my chemo treatment for the next day was cancelled.
Also, because of my infection, my white blood cell count had gone down to basically nothing. My oncologist didn’t want to see this happen again, so she suggested that I have a prescription for Neulasta in the form of a needle that I give to myself 24 hours after my chemo treatments. This drug keeps your white blood cell count higher. It is also a very expensive drug…she said around $2,500 each. I understood I would need three….one after each of my chemo treatments. Of course, she wanted me to make sure that our insurance would cover this…which meant I would have to contact the insurance company to find out. Of course…that takes time too…the second reason my treatment for the next day was cancelled. So I went home on Tuesday, not having any appointments booked anymore, and not knowing when they would be booked.
I phoned the insurance company, and I was told I would need prior authorization for the Neulasta. Forms had to be filled in….I received the form, filled in my part and immediately faxed it to my oncologist so she could fill in her part. She had it faxed to the insurance company by the end of the day. Now we are waiting to hear back from the insurance company.
I did get a call today to book the insertion of the central line…I need to go to a teaching class on May 12th and my central line is scheduled to be inserted on May 13th. Yeah, progress! I also received a call from my doctor’s office, asking me to phone there as soon as I hear from the insurance company regarding the drug, and they would book my next chemo then.
Because of all this, when I had my appointment with the oncologist, she did give me the option of quitting the chemo. She said, because I had responded so well to the chemo, maybe I didn’t need more chemo…her advice was to continue with the treatments because she would rather over-treat than under-treat. I decided to go with her advice, and continue with the treatments.
Basically, that’s all the information I have for now…have a great weekend everyone!
“Each of us may be sure that if God sends us on stony paths He will provide us with strong shoes, and He will not send us out on any journey for which He does not equip us well.” Alexander Maclaren
I guess it’s time for another update…actually I should have updated this sooner, but I didn’t know what to write. More about that later…
Let’s first go back to my consultation with the radiation oncologist…I had an appointment with her on April 26th. Basically, she took my history, did an exam and explained the radiation process and side effects to me. The plan is that I will receive radiation for six week….every week day, except holidays. The radiation sessions are not long, but I will have to go to Edmonton for them. This won’t happen until about four weeks after I have surgery.
On May 4th I had another appointment for blood work and an exam. My blood work came back good, it was back up to where it was supposed to be. I was scheduled to have my next chemo, the next day, but because of my infection, my PICC line was removed. My oncologist sent me to a chemo nurse to see what she thought of the possibility of getting my chemo through an I.V. The nurse looked at my veins, and determined that maybe she could get one treatment in, but there was no way she could get three in. (I need three more treatments.) My doctor then determined that I would need a central line inserted…it’s the same idea as a PICC line, but they put it through your chest. Of course this needed to be scheduled…so my chemo treatment for the next day was cancelled.
Also, because of my infection, my white blood cell count had gone down to basically nothing. My oncologist didn’t want to see this happen again, so she suggested that I have a prescription for Neulasta in the form of a needle that I give to myself 24 hours after my chemo treatments. This drug keeps your white blood cell count higher. It is also a very expensive drug…she said around $2,500 each. I understood I would need three….one after each of my chemo treatments. Of course, she wanted me to make sure that our insurance would cover this…which meant I would have to contact the insurance company to find out. Of course…that takes time too…the second reason my treatment for the next day was cancelled. So I went home on Tuesday, not having any appointments booked anymore, and not knowing when they would be booked.
I phoned the insurance company, and I was told I would need prior authorization for the Neulasta. Forms had to be filled in….I received the form, filled in my part and immediately faxed it to my oncologist so she could fill in her part. She had it faxed to the insurance company by the end of the day. Now we are waiting to hear back from the insurance company.
I did get a call today to book the insertion of the central line…I need to go to a teaching class on May 12th and my central line is scheduled to be inserted on May 13th. Yeah, progress! I also received a call from my doctor’s office, asking me to phone there as soon as I hear from the insurance company regarding the drug, and they would book my next chemo then.
Because of all this, when I had my appointment with the oncologist, she did give me the option of quitting the chemo. She said, because I had responded so well to the chemo, maybe I didn’t need more chemo…her advice was to continue with the treatments because she would rather over-treat than under-treat. I decided to go with her advice, and continue with the treatments.
Basically, that’s all the information I have for now…have a great weekend everyone!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
“Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.” Proverbs 3:25 – 26
The last week and a half was an eventfully boring week. That doesn’t really make sense but maybe you’ll understand more fully what I mean as you continue to read.
My last chemo treatment went quite well with minor side effects. On Wednesday, April 14th I went to work in the morning just like any other day. By lunch time, I was so tired, I went home. I thought it was just because I was finished taking the steroids that were prescribed. By supper time, my arm (the one with the PICC line inserted into it) was really sore and I wasn’t feeling well at all. By 8 pm I had a fever of 38.5 C which meant I had to go to the hospital. My doctor suspected I had an infection, but he didn’t know what it was. He had blood drawn, took my temperature (which by this time was even higher), took a couple of chest x-rays and admitted me starting me on intravenous antibiotics. He also gave me Tylenol to bring down my temperature.
The next day at about lunch time I was taken to St. Albert Hospital by ambulance for an ultrasound on my arm. The ultrasound showed an infection in my arm as well as a blood clot (which my G. P. said could have been there for a while already) in the vein that my PICC line was inserted. After discussing things with my oncologist, my doctor in Barrhead put me on two different intravenous antibiotics and started me on blood thinners in the form of a needle (which I have to be on for the next six weeks as well) as well as continued to give me Tylenol to keep my fever down.
By Saturday my white blood cell count had dropped to basically nothing so I was put in reverse isolation which meant that anyone coming in my room had to wear a gown, gloves and a mask.
By Sunday I was feeling much better, my fever was gone, and my arm felt much better, but my blood count wasn’t coming up the way my doctor wanted to see it. My white blood cell count was slowly rising, but my neutrophils (which are the white blood cells that fight against infection) were not rising.
By Wednesday, it was decided to pull my PICC line. It is my understanding that my oncologist didn’t want this done, but the center for infectious disease told my G. P. that that was the only thing that would help. My G. P. pulled it Thursday morning and is going to send up a specimen from it for testing. My neutrophils were rising enough now (they still weren’t quite where he wanted to see them) that the doctor decided to discharge me (I think I was being too much of a pain!) with strict orders that at the first sign of a fever I am back there.
Being a very independent person, I had a very difficult time being in the hospital and having people do things for me so I was so glad to be discharged! The weather was really nice while I was in the hospital, so I sat outside a fair bit (with a gown, gloves and mask on). I also did lots of reading, Crossword puzzles and Sudoku puzzles.
I didn’t realize how low my energy level was until I came home and tried to do a few things but tired out really quickly. I still have to take it easy and avoid crowds as much as possible because of my white blood cell count, but I am so glad to be sleeping in my own bed again!
Thank you to those who stopped by the hospital to visit. Your visits were greatly appreciated!
Have a great weekend everyone!
“Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.” Proverbs 3:25 – 26
The last week and a half was an eventfully boring week. That doesn’t really make sense but maybe you’ll understand more fully what I mean as you continue to read.
My last chemo treatment went quite well with minor side effects. On Wednesday, April 14th I went to work in the morning just like any other day. By lunch time, I was so tired, I went home. I thought it was just because I was finished taking the steroids that were prescribed. By supper time, my arm (the one with the PICC line inserted into it) was really sore and I wasn’t feeling well at all. By 8 pm I had a fever of 38.5 C which meant I had to go to the hospital. My doctor suspected I had an infection, but he didn’t know what it was. He had blood drawn, took my temperature (which by this time was even higher), took a couple of chest x-rays and admitted me starting me on intravenous antibiotics. He also gave me Tylenol to bring down my temperature.
The next day at about lunch time I was taken to St. Albert Hospital by ambulance for an ultrasound on my arm. The ultrasound showed an infection in my arm as well as a blood clot (which my G. P. said could have been there for a while already) in the vein that my PICC line was inserted. After discussing things with my oncologist, my doctor in Barrhead put me on two different intravenous antibiotics and started me on blood thinners in the form of a needle (which I have to be on for the next six weeks as well) as well as continued to give me Tylenol to keep my fever down.
By Saturday my white blood cell count had dropped to basically nothing so I was put in reverse isolation which meant that anyone coming in my room had to wear a gown, gloves and a mask.
By Sunday I was feeling much better, my fever was gone, and my arm felt much better, but my blood count wasn’t coming up the way my doctor wanted to see it. My white blood cell count was slowly rising, but my neutrophils (which are the white blood cells that fight against infection) were not rising.
By Wednesday, it was decided to pull my PICC line. It is my understanding that my oncologist didn’t want this done, but the center for infectious disease told my G. P. that that was the only thing that would help. My G. P. pulled it Thursday morning and is going to send up a specimen from it for testing. My neutrophils were rising enough now (they still weren’t quite where he wanted to see them) that the doctor decided to discharge me (I think I was being too much of a pain!) with strict orders that at the first sign of a fever I am back there.
Being a very independent person, I had a very difficult time being in the hospital and having people do things for me so I was so glad to be discharged! The weather was really nice while I was in the hospital, so I sat outside a fair bit (with a gown, gloves and mask on). I also did lots of reading, Crossword puzzles and Sudoku puzzles.
I didn’t realize how low my energy level was until I came home and tried to do a few things but tired out really quickly. I still have to take it easy and avoid crowds as much as possible because of my white blood cell count, but I am so glad to be sleeping in my own bed again!
Thank you to those who stopped by the hospital to visit. Your visits were greatly appreciated!
Have a great weekend everyone!
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