Starting Chemo Aug 09

Okay, I am having a brain fart or just don't know.  What is a podcast?  I feel like I should know this, but don't. 

Well......I ended up in the ER again.  Another infection.  Long story short.  After 10 hours in the ER because there wasn't a bed available on the Hem-Onc floor the doctor agreed to let me go home with antibiotics.  I had three given to me in the ER, they had my blood, cultures x-rays and urine.  I promised if they saw something call me and I would come back and be admitted to the hospital. So far, so good.  I think it was a choice to come home and the hospital not having a bed was a good thing (this time).

Funny story

I have mastered the art of falling asleep anywhere.  I fall asleep at the table reading, usually face first into the paper or book, in my bed bent in half over the book or paper.  I can fall asleep standing in line, sitting and in the middle of a conversation. It is pretty funny.  It's from lack of sleep and the meds or both.  Anyway, Wed was chemo day this week and I had had a bad night along with some pain from the neupogen shots I had gotten earlier in week to bring up my counts so I could have chemo.  I was tired and had taken pain meds, not a good combo.  After chemo mom and I decided to stop for lunch.  And.......while talking to her at the table waiting on our meal I closed my eyes and fell asleep off and on in about 30 second intervals (according to mom), would then wake and continue the conversation as usual.  At one point mom laughed and said if the waitress walked up she would tell them I'm praying.  Well, I fell asleep, the waitress walked up and looked at my mom and said "is she meditating?  She was serious, not trying to make a funny, dead serious.  I heard her opened my eyes and said something about being tired.  Mom and I laughed so hard.  It was just too funny.  Hope I made you smile or laugh.  Jenn

Gill - thank you for the explanation of a pod cast, which I now know, or should I say knew, but the brain bubble got in the way. 

I had an uneventful weekend, which I think in my world is a good thing now a days.  I may be taking a short road trip with my sister and mom up the Natchez Trace. A small road trip to get out of the house. 

I hope everyone had a great weekend.

Thank you all.  I am doing fine.  I am having some swelling in my knees, calves and feet that I'm concerned about.  My ankles and feet swell up so big they look deformed and it does hurt if I'm on my feet too long.  They also hurt to be touched.  My sister was massaging my feet, ankles and legs in an upward motion, but had to be very gentle because it felt like she was pressing into a really bad bruise.  It started a few weeks ago, but nothing like it is now.  It's gotten much worse over the last week or so.  I'm seeing my doctor tomorrow before chemo and will talk to him about it and I'll let you know what he says. 

My sister and I did not take the road trip up the Natchez Trace.  I was having withdrawal symptoms and felt the need to see DD#2.  So we left Thurs, stayed until Sunday and drove back home.  I had a wonderful visit.  We hung out, laughed, went to the movies (to see Courageous), went shopping, ate out for lunch and/or dinner and also took DD#2 to the grocery to fill up her fridge. I wasn't crazy about the movie, actually fell asleep, but DD#2 and my sister liked it.  My sister LOVED it.  I sure wish I liked the same movies as my sister, it would make things so much easier on us.

I don't mind y'all talking about the possibility of recurrance or the fears that you have living your life as a cancer patient.  It's all part of what we go through, so please don't feel like you can't discuss it because of where I am in this battle.  After my treatment if my toe hurt I thought it was a recurrance.  It was nuts!!!  I'm normally not a big worrier, but this whole cancer thing made or makes me crazy.  I understand what you're feeling.

(((HUGS)))) to all of you.  Jenn

I spoke to the onc about the swelling, he seemed somewhat concerned but not overly concerned.  Before seeing my bloodwork he thought maybe something to do with the liver and my proteins, but that wasn't it, my liver numbers are perfect.  He thought maybe clot, but usually clots don't cause swelling evenly in both legs.  Soooooo for now it's a wait and see approach.  I did decide to try wearing my compression socks that I had from my achilles surgery all day while I'm awake and it does the trick.  My legs and feet don't hurt, zero pain and the swelling is almost completely gone, to someone not knowing what is normal for me they don't look swollen.  So for now, compression socks it is.  I'm still having a lot of pain free days.  In all honesty, if it weren't for treatment and the thinning of my hair I don't feel like a cancer patient.  I feel normal. 

I hope everyone had a great weekend and if I forget to come by - HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!!!!!!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  We had the family over, including my daughter's fiance and future in-laws.  All went well.  Today we're getting ready to do a Christmas makeover on the house and hopefully be done by Sunday.

I finally read the reviews on Hugo and can't wait to see it.  I'm hoping next week or so when DD#2 comes home from college (for good) for the holidays.  There is also an animated a kid movie I want to see about Santa's clumsy son.  I think I'll see about taking my neices and nephews.  DD#2 wants to see the one with George Clooney, which we may go see this evening.

Have a great weekend and may your football teams win, that is unless they play the Saints