I have had 5 infusions. This last one gave me some problems - constipation like I've never had before! Finally talked with the pharmacist who gave me wonderful advice - Mira Lax. It turns out that was exactly what I needed and if anyone else has constipation for whatever reason, I can't recommend this highly enough. It is very gentle on my system and all you do is mix it in a glass of water. I starts out cloudy and that disappears - drink the water without any taste or after-taste.
I didn't feel at all well the week following the infusion and I had trouble during the infusion. I was given Ativan immediately followed by Benadryl. The Ativan didn't have a chance to take affect before I got the Benadryl, so I ended up drowsy and restless. They finally gave me another dose of Ativan (1/2 mg) but, frankly, all that did was make me drowsy and restless - not a great combination. I didn't like my reaction to all that. It effects my memory. Bill called and I didn't remember talking with him at all!
After the week of not feeling well, I ended up in ER with a kidney stone, which I passed while I was there! That means I didn't drink enough water all that week. I admit it and will make a serious effort to drink something more following the 6th and final infusion.
Then last Wednesday, I had rectal bleeding which scared me to pieces. I called Anschutz Cancer Center and was able to talk with a GI nurse, who told me to call my gastroenterologist, which I did - immediately. He, of course, was off for the day, but his nurse was wonderful and calmed my fears. He called the next morning and feels that it is (1) not cancer (phew!), (2) not a flareup of the colitis and (3) nothing to worry about because I now have hemorrhoids. Never having had them before in my life, I didn't even consider that was the reason for the bleeding. He advised just watching it for a couple of days. When it hadn't diminished by today, I called him back. He prescribed a suppository (oh, joy!) and will do a sygmoidoscopy next Thursday. That is far less invasive than a colonoscopy and will not interfere with my final infusion. I won't even need anesthesia.
My lab work was absolutely fine - all the blood counts had gone back to normal after dropping that first week. My blood pressure was up a little 130/80 but my oncology RN was very pleased and not concerned about the rise in BP. Actually, it isn't up all that much from 126/74 the previous week. Considering all I went through from week 1 to week 2, I'm not concerned. She obviously wasn't either.
My sinus congestion continues to be a bother - but I am finding that the sinus saline neti pot works very well in conjunction with a decongestant. [I was just watching the weather station who delivered a scathing report on CT's CL&P, which was woefully unprepared for recovery following that horrible snow storm the week of Halloween. They apparently are living up to our name for them: CT Loot & Plunder! I remember when we first lived in CT. If a rain cloud passed over our house, we lost power! We finally found out that we weren't on the Newtown line at all - but, in fact, the last house on the Brookfield line. Needless to say, that house which is at the END of the line does NOT get first service].
My infusion had been scheduled for today, but was moved because my Dr. had something else he was doing today. So my final infusion is next Tuesday, December 6.
I now am entering a new phase of my recovery...my last infusion. I am actually anxious about not having the chemo. I know that doesn't make sense to some, but while I was fighting for my life, I put myself in my Dr.'s hands and got the medicine I needed to make me well. After Tuesday, that will no longer be available to me. That causes me some concern. Even though I rationally can say it has done the job it was supposed to do, all of a sudden I am losing something real that I was holding on to - my life line. I have talked with two friends who have been through chemo and they both tell me this is perfectly normal. It took one of them two years to trust that 'it' wasn't coming back.
My hair continues to grow and everyone really likes the new 'do'! It is thick and curly and I love the feel of it. One friend says he thinks it is more silvery. I don't know about that, but I'm thrilled I didn't lose it. That helped me not feel depressed. Losing one's hair is so demoralizing. All femininity is gone, despite everyone saying I have a great shaped head.
I will try to write more often following the last infusion. Thank you all for your moral support. That has gotten us through this.
My Siamese Scarlett just came and gave me a headbutt so I think she needs some lap time.
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