Princess Pepper
Had my weekly appointment with Dr. Sarriera to see how the Revlimid is reacting with me. So far, no rashes. I started to take them every day yesterday. Usually it's day 3 or 4 that I break out in a rash so will see what happens in the next few days. Hopefully nothing. Once we establish that I have been desensitized, I will go on a regular maintenance program of 21 days on and 7 days off. I don't have to go back now to see him for two weeks this time if all runs smoothly. I will have a full Multiple Myeloma lab panel done at that time to see where I am. Full remission?? That would be real nice. Relax my mind some.
Still have the neuropathy in my feet and fingers but not as bad as it has been. Or maybe I am just tolerating it better. The numbness in my fingers does drive me crazy some times. I am hoping this, too, will disappear.
The vertigo is still there. Seems to last less at times when I turn. Something else to learn to tolerate. Dr. Sarriera didn't seem too concerned as this is my family doctor's thing.
Years ago when I got my iPhone 5C, the tech at Target needed to give my phone a name. I wasn't there so he named it Princess Pepper. Well, I finally traded in my Princess Pepper phone. It was so slow, kept running out of memory, would shut off even when it was charged, just down right old. I have been eligible for an upgrade for awhile but hate the new plans they have now. No longer the days when I could get a new phone and they would pay me to take it out of the store. I really did do that several times. I couldn't believe it when they were switching over my information from Princess Pepper. The tech, I again went to Target, told me it was taking so long because I had over 2200 pictures between my phone and the cloud. Yes, 2200 pictures. Well, I do have 8 grandkids you know. Lol!
Quote:
No matter how good or bad you think your life is, wake up each morning and be thankful. Someone somewhere else is fighting to survive.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Florida!
It's vertigo. So glad it wasn't from the mixture of meds I take. I really thought at first this dizziness was cancer related. Hard not to. Someday I won't blame "cancer" for everything happening with my body. I am getting older and there are "older" things that happen. ;). Anyway, vertigo can come and go. Hoping this is going. Dr. Henley gave me a prescription of dizzy pills to take if needed. She also said there are crystals in your ears that roll with you when you turn your head. These crystals tells the brain that you are turning your head. Well, these crystals get stuck every once in a while and do not roll causing the room to spin, eyes to spin etc. They do come unstuck for a lot of people but some need to have physical therapy to help loosen them. There isn't any guarantee they will come unstuck. She felt I may be on the way to recovery this time since my dizziness isn't lasting as long when I move my head certain ways. Dr. Henley explained that dizziness from vertigo is from the position of the head. Vertigo can come and go or come and stay. Some people have it all the time whereas you could have a bout of it and never have it again for months, years even. I am praying that if this is on the way out, I don't have it again. All this being said, one of my BFF, Sandy could write a book on vertigo. Right Sandy?
So the weather here is absolutely beautiful. Bill has been working in the yard. One thing he is doing is a walkway from the front yard to the back and it involves pavers. There were several times I heard him say, where is Frank Corcoran when I need him. He has also laid some sort of black netting stuff around some plants we bought and planted (well, he planted) to get ready for a ton or so of stones. Our neighbors, Michelle and Gery, gave us a few of their plants they were getting rid of. So he's been planting them. Funny though, they gave us some iris plants but they are still in the wheelbarrow and they are blooming. Again, the weather here is absolutely gorgeous. Yes, we are going to have some hot and very humid weather but we both are very happy and content that we moved to Florida. Bill said that we should have done it 20 years ago.
Quote:
You can't control what happens to you but you can control the way that you handle it!
It's vertigo. So glad it wasn't from the mixture of meds I take. I really thought at first this dizziness was cancer related. Hard not to. Someday I won't blame "cancer" for everything happening with my body. I am getting older and there are "older" things that happen. ;). Anyway, vertigo can come and go. Hoping this is going. Dr. Henley gave me a prescription of dizzy pills to take if needed. She also said there are crystals in your ears that roll with you when you turn your head. These crystals tells the brain that you are turning your head. Well, these crystals get stuck every once in a while and do not roll causing the room to spin, eyes to spin etc. They do come unstuck for a lot of people but some need to have physical therapy to help loosen them. There isn't any guarantee they will come unstuck. She felt I may be on the way to recovery this time since my dizziness isn't lasting as long when I move my head certain ways. Dr. Henley explained that dizziness from vertigo is from the position of the head. Vertigo can come and go or come and stay. Some people have it all the time whereas you could have a bout of it and never have it again for months, years even. I am praying that if this is on the way out, I don't have it again. All this being said, one of my BFF, Sandy could write a book on vertigo. Right Sandy?
So the weather here is absolutely beautiful. Bill has been working in the yard. One thing he is doing is a walkway from the front yard to the back and it involves pavers. There were several times I heard him say, where is Frank Corcoran when I need him. He has also laid some sort of black netting stuff around some plants we bought and planted (well, he planted) to get ready for a ton or so of stones. Our neighbors, Michelle and Gery, gave us a few of their plants they were getting rid of. So he's been planting them. Funny though, they gave us some iris plants but they are still in the wheelbarrow and they are blooming. Again, the weather here is absolutely gorgeous. Yes, we are going to have some hot and very humid weather but we both are very happy and content that we moved to Florida. Bill said that we should have done it 20 years ago.
Quote:
You can't control what happens to you but you can control the way that you handle it!
Monday, March 27, 2017
Hail!
Having a little set back here the last two days. We are thinking not cancer related. Yesterday, Sunday, morning I rolled over in bed to pet Tommy and the room started spinning and my eyes started spinning, felt nauseous and then broke out in a sweat. Roll to the other side to get out of bed and the same thing happened. Felt sluggish all day with a very dull, dull headache. Then when I went to bed the same thing happened but not as severe. Then this morning again this happened just like Sunday morning. Once I was up, I felt sluggish and this lasted most of the day. Also, when I tilt my head to the left or right, same thing happens.
Of course I contacted Dr. Sarriera's office first thing this morning. After several consultations, they felt it was not related to me starting Revlimid or any of my other meds or even cancer related. Felt it may be low blood sugar or blood pressure related and told me to contact my family doctor. Called her office and described my symptoms to the reception. She told me Dr. Henley was out today but was being covered by another doctor. I opted to wait till tomorrow to go in so I could see Dr. Henley. I then, within 15 minutes, got a call from Dr. Henley's nurse asking me tons of questions regarding my symptoms. Told me she would call back after she discussed them with the doctor that was covering to see if he felt I needed to come in today. She called and asked a few more questions and said that he felt as long as the room wasn't spinning when I stood up, I should be able to wait until tomorrow to see Dr. Henley but if the symptoms worsen throughout the day, call immediately. This new doctor we have has 24 hour emergency care. That's pretty nice. Hope we don't have to use it but it's there if we need to. My appointment is at 2:20 tomorrow. I will post tomorrow evening how I made out.
This is very upsetting to me because I have been feeling pretty good. I was feeling that I wasn't being as much of a burden on Bill. Feeling I could probably drive my car. Feeling like I could do more things in the house. Just feeling stronger and more energetic. This just brought me down a step or two. Hopefully it's nothing and I can get those good feelings back again. I have mentioned this before but every time I have an ache or pain or just not feeling right, I worry that it's back. We know it's going to come back but no one knows when. Again, this may be nothing but to me right now it's something!!
So the other night it started raining pretty hard but we thought the rain drops sounded pretty loud. Bill said it sounded like sleet. I went out and it was hailing. Yep, hail in FL. First I have seen it since we have been here. Michelle said she has been in FL for 16 years and this was the first for her too.
Quote:
At the end of the day, all you need is hope and strength. Hope that it will get better and strength to hold on until it does.
Having a little set back here the last two days. We are thinking not cancer related. Yesterday, Sunday, morning I rolled over in bed to pet Tommy and the room started spinning and my eyes started spinning, felt nauseous and then broke out in a sweat. Roll to the other side to get out of bed and the same thing happened. Felt sluggish all day with a very dull, dull headache. Then when I went to bed the same thing happened but not as severe. Then this morning again this happened just like Sunday morning. Once I was up, I felt sluggish and this lasted most of the day. Also, when I tilt my head to the left or right, same thing happens.
Of course I contacted Dr. Sarriera's office first thing this morning. After several consultations, they felt it was not related to me starting Revlimid or any of my other meds or even cancer related. Felt it may be low blood sugar or blood pressure related and told me to contact my family doctor. Called her office and described my symptoms to the reception. She told me Dr. Henley was out today but was being covered by another doctor. I opted to wait till tomorrow to go in so I could see Dr. Henley. I then, within 15 minutes, got a call from Dr. Henley's nurse asking me tons of questions regarding my symptoms. Told me she would call back after she discussed them with the doctor that was covering to see if he felt I needed to come in today. She called and asked a few more questions and said that he felt as long as the room wasn't spinning when I stood up, I should be able to wait until tomorrow to see Dr. Henley but if the symptoms worsen throughout the day, call immediately. This new doctor we have has 24 hour emergency care. That's pretty nice. Hope we don't have to use it but it's there if we need to. My appointment is at 2:20 tomorrow. I will post tomorrow evening how I made out.
This is very upsetting to me because I have been feeling pretty good. I was feeling that I wasn't being as much of a burden on Bill. Feeling I could probably drive my car. Feeling like I could do more things in the house. Just feeling stronger and more energetic. This just brought me down a step or two. Hopefully it's nothing and I can get those good feelings back again. I have mentioned this before but every time I have an ache or pain or just not feeling right, I worry that it's back. We know it's going to come back but no one knows when. Again, this may be nothing but to me right now it's something!!
So the other night it started raining pretty hard but we thought the rain drops sounded pretty loud. Bill said it sounded like sleet. I went out and it was hailing. Yep, hail in FL. First I have seen it since we have been here. Michelle said she has been in FL for 16 years and this was the first for her too.
Quote:
At the end of the day, all you need is hope and strength. Hope that it will get better and strength to hold on until it does.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Thomas!
Today I had my Zometa drip and an appt with Abbey. What a long afternoon. Appt for the Zometa was at 11. Didn't take me back to get started until 11:15. The nurse, her name is Mary, informed me that I had to have labs to see what my creatinine (chemical made by the body that is used to supply energy to mainly muscles) level was before the pharmacist would allow the drip. And also, he could determine the strength of the dosage. She said that would take about 45 minutes to get the results back. Wait, I have an appt with Abbey at 11:45. Mary said she would put the port in my arm, draw blood needed, secure the port to be used for the drip and then I could go to my appt with Abbey and come back to her. Okay, we can do that. Well poor Mary couldn't get a vein to draw blood from. Stuck me once and tried. Nothing. Went and got a smaller needle. Stuck me a second time in a different vein. Nothing. Pulled the needle out and said she was going to get someone else to try. Another nurse came over and she was able to get a vein that looked good but it was on the upper part of the right wrist. Ouch. That one hurt but it worked. Good thing I don't hate needles, huh? Drew a tube of blood but said it was fuzzy (huh?). So drew a second tube. Secured my port and sent me on my way for my appt with Abbey. Checked in there and they took me right back since it was about 3 minutes till my appt time. Checked vitals. All good. Weigh up more. Abbey was very prompt. We discussed the "no rash" so far with the Revlimid. Started the every other day yesterday for 3 times. Then start the every day Revlimid on Wednesday. Have an appt again with Dr. Sarriera next Friday to see if any rashes appeared. Then we will go from there to increase to 5 mg from 2.5 if no rash. Back to the "drip" room. Mary said the lab results were still not there. Got situated in a room and waited. About 20 minutes later she said lab results were back and the pharmacist would review them and determine if okay to have the Zometa and the dosage. Another 15 minutes later, he called Mary and said creatinine was low but not by much and to go ahead with the drip. Finally hooked me up. Done in 30 minutes. Hungry by then. Very light breakfast before we left.
Michelle had told us about a burger place that was to have excellent burgers so we thought we would try it. And it was on the way home. Square 1 Burgers. The decor was chandeliers, red and black walls, chairs, tables, plates and cow hide seats in their booths along with burlap curtains. Really put together well. And the burgers were fantastic. Bill got one called Juicy Lucy and I got one call SOB. My brother-in-law, Donnie, said the SOB meant - Sit On Bill or Side Order Broccoli!!! Really means South of the Border; a wonderful Mexican burger complete with black beans, jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, corn salsa, avocado and Fritos. Needless to say, we didn't want or need dinner tonight. We will definitely go back there again.
We have made a lot of friends since going to the Cancer Center here in Orlando. One of them is Thomas. He is one of the valet guys who takes our car when we arrive and brings it back when we are ready to leave. He always has a nice smile on his face, kind words to say and is always ready to open the car doors for us. He gave me a hug when we told him we wouldn't be back for a few months and was there to give me a hug when we came back again. Great person. The valet parking is a service that is free to cancer patients as long as we get our ticket stub stamped. We, of course, tip these guys since the valet parking is free.
Quote:
Surround yourself with people who are going to lift you higher!
Today I had my Zometa drip and an appt with Abbey. What a long afternoon. Appt for the Zometa was at 11. Didn't take me back to get started until 11:15. The nurse, her name is Mary, informed me that I had to have labs to see what my creatinine (chemical made by the body that is used to supply energy to mainly muscles) level was before the pharmacist would allow the drip. And also, he could determine the strength of the dosage. She said that would take about 45 minutes to get the results back. Wait, I have an appt with Abbey at 11:45. Mary said she would put the port in my arm, draw blood needed, secure the port to be used for the drip and then I could go to my appt with Abbey and come back to her. Okay, we can do that. Well poor Mary couldn't get a vein to draw blood from. Stuck me once and tried. Nothing. Went and got a smaller needle. Stuck me a second time in a different vein. Nothing. Pulled the needle out and said she was going to get someone else to try. Another nurse came over and she was able to get a vein that looked good but it was on the upper part of the right wrist. Ouch. That one hurt but it worked. Good thing I don't hate needles, huh? Drew a tube of blood but said it was fuzzy (huh?). So drew a second tube. Secured my port and sent me on my way for my appt with Abbey. Checked in there and they took me right back since it was about 3 minutes till my appt time. Checked vitals. All good. Weigh up more. Abbey was very prompt. We discussed the "no rash" so far with the Revlimid. Started the every other day yesterday for 3 times. Then start the every day Revlimid on Wednesday. Have an appt again with Dr. Sarriera next Friday to see if any rashes appeared. Then we will go from there to increase to 5 mg from 2.5 if no rash. Back to the "drip" room. Mary said the lab results were still not there. Got situated in a room and waited. About 20 minutes later she said lab results were back and the pharmacist would review them and determine if okay to have the Zometa and the dosage. Another 15 minutes later, he called Mary and said creatinine was low but not by much and to go ahead with the drip. Finally hooked me up. Done in 30 minutes. Hungry by then. Very light breakfast before we left.
Michelle had told us about a burger place that was to have excellent burgers so we thought we would try it. And it was on the way home. Square 1 Burgers. The decor was chandeliers, red and black walls, chairs, tables, plates and cow hide seats in their booths along with burlap curtains. Really put together well. And the burgers were fantastic. Bill got one called Juicy Lucy and I got one call SOB. My brother-in-law, Donnie, said the SOB meant - Sit On Bill or Side Order Broccoli!!! Really means South of the Border; a wonderful Mexican burger complete with black beans, jalapeños, pepper jack cheese, corn salsa, avocado and Fritos. Needless to say, we didn't want or need dinner tonight. We will definitely go back there again.
We have made a lot of friends since going to the Cancer Center here in Orlando. One of them is Thomas. He is one of the valet guys who takes our car when we arrive and brings it back when we are ready to leave. He always has a nice smile on his face, kind words to say and is always ready to open the car doors for us. He gave me a hug when we told him we wouldn't be back for a few months and was there to give me a hug when we came back again. Great person. The valet parking is a service that is free to cancer patients as long as we get our ticket stub stamped. We, of course, tip these guys since the valet parking is free.
Quote:
Surround yourself with people who are going to lift you higher!
Sunday, March 19, 2017
No conditioner!
I took my third Revlimid today. So far so good. No rash. Will take my next one on Wednesday (doing the every three days). See Abbey on Thursday. Then start the every other day on Friday. Once I do the every other day for three times, I go to every day alternating 2.5 mg and 5 mg. Taking just the 2.5 mg now. So glad they made me a calendar with the days to take the pill and the mgs to take. Keep those prayers coming because I know they are helping.
This week is also my Zometa drip. It was scheduled for Friday but they are supposed to change it to Thursday. That way I can see Abbey and get the drip the same day and not have to run back down town again. No big deal as we are used to running here and there for doctors. Glad Bill likes to drive. ;)
I am hoping to be able to drive soon. I have driven from Sandy and Denny's place to ours but there aren't any major roads. Traffic here is horrible and I was so getting used to it before this all hit. Now I have to start over. And I will!!
Today I decided to wash my hair with shampoo even though it's only 1/8 of an inch long. First thing I did was to pour too much shampoo in my hand. Used it anyway. Made a nice lather. Then for a split second, I forgot how I was to rinse it off (can't say rinse it out). I figured using conditioner was pushing it a little too far so no conditioner this time.
Quote:
Sometimes you can because you can. Sometimes you can because you have to!
I took my third Revlimid today. So far so good. No rash. Will take my next one on Wednesday (doing the every three days). See Abbey on Thursday. Then start the every other day on Friday. Once I do the every other day for three times, I go to every day alternating 2.5 mg and 5 mg. Taking just the 2.5 mg now. So glad they made me a calendar with the days to take the pill and the mgs to take. Keep those prayers coming because I know they are helping.
This week is also my Zometa drip. It was scheduled for Friday but they are supposed to change it to Thursday. That way I can see Abbey and get the drip the same day and not have to run back down town again. No big deal as we are used to running here and there for doctors. Glad Bill likes to drive. ;)
I am hoping to be able to drive soon. I have driven from Sandy and Denny's place to ours but there aren't any major roads. Traffic here is horrible and I was so getting used to it before this all hit. Now I have to start over. And I will!!
Today I decided to wash my hair with shampoo even though it's only 1/8 of an inch long. First thing I did was to pour too much shampoo in my hand. Used it anyway. Made a nice lather. Then for a split second, I forgot how I was to rinse it off (can't say rinse it out). I figured using conditioner was pushing it a little too far so no conditioner this time.
Quote:
Sometimes you can because you can. Sometimes you can because you have to!
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
In my own mind.
Today I had my appointment with Dr. Sarriera to discuss my next steps with Revlimid since I didn't have a reaction to the first pill I took last week. His experimental rabbit. What I have to do now is starting tomorrow, I will take another Revlimid (2.5 mg). Then one pill every third day. Go back to see Abbey on the 23rd (Dr. Sarriera on Spring break!). Then starting the 24th, I will take one every other day until the 29th. Starting the 29th, I will take one every day. He will increase the 2.5 mg to
5 mg my second week of the every day dose. This is very confusing I know. They actually made a calendar with this schedule for me to follow. Again, this all is contingent on me not breaking out in any rashes. Praying that I am able to get through this experimental desensitizing. To be continued.
I finally had a shopping outing that last more than an hour. I had a few shopping trips with Sandy when they were here (which I totally enjoyed) but I wasn't up to much more that an hour. I just felt that I was ready for more. So on Sunday, Michelle and I left around 11 and shopped until around 3. Even hit more than one store (5 to be exact). The great thing about this shopping trip was that I didn't think about my cancer. I was able to shop with a smile in my heart for a change. In my own mind, I was the old me. Well, up until the last store we went in and a lady asked me if I was doing treatments? Huh? Treatments. Then my real life came back. She actually wanted to talk about her daughter who had been diagnosed with bladder cancer. Just had treatments and is getting ready for surgery in a week or so. Said her daughter refuses to wear hats, scarves etc to hide that she has lost her hair. Guess my hats, scarves etc give me away. But I looked at it like this, the lady needed someone to talk to and I was there. Oh, also told us that she just had to put her husband in a nursing home. The rest of the day continued to be great. Michelle and Gery invited us over for hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill. Such fun and laughter the four of us had. So grateful we have such wonderful neighbors as Gery and Michelle. They have helped Bill and me through a lot over the few months.
Speaking of helping us, we will be forever grateful to all of you too for all the prayers, cards, emails, texts, phone calls, reading of my blog, comments on my blog, comments on Facebook, IMs, all the candles lit, all the prayer lists I was added to, books sent, slippers sent, on and on. These are all things that have helped us get through the last few months also. I have been called strong but without the caring from each of you, I wouldn't have been so strong. I know that I will have to live with Multiple Myeloma forever but will push it back in my mind eventually and become even stronger. I have quilts to make!!!! And I have a bucket list in my own mind!!!
I referenced "in my own mind" several times because I really like the song by Lyle Lovett "In My Own Mind". The chorus is something I sing "in my own mind" a lot. Listen to it if you can.
Quote:
Cancer can change our lives in one split second but it can not take our continuous prayers, our belief to survive or our hope that a cure is near.
Today I had my appointment with Dr. Sarriera to discuss my next steps with Revlimid since I didn't have a reaction to the first pill I took last week. His experimental rabbit. What I have to do now is starting tomorrow, I will take another Revlimid (2.5 mg). Then one pill every third day. Go back to see Abbey on the 23rd (Dr. Sarriera on Spring break!). Then starting the 24th, I will take one every other day until the 29th. Starting the 29th, I will take one every day. He will increase the 2.5 mg to
5 mg my second week of the every day dose. This is very confusing I know. They actually made a calendar with this schedule for me to follow. Again, this all is contingent on me not breaking out in any rashes. Praying that I am able to get through this experimental desensitizing. To be continued.
I finally had a shopping outing that last more than an hour. I had a few shopping trips with Sandy when they were here (which I totally enjoyed) but I wasn't up to much more that an hour. I just felt that I was ready for more. So on Sunday, Michelle and I left around 11 and shopped until around 3. Even hit more than one store (5 to be exact). The great thing about this shopping trip was that I didn't think about my cancer. I was able to shop with a smile in my heart for a change. In my own mind, I was the old me. Well, up until the last store we went in and a lady asked me if I was doing treatments? Huh? Treatments. Then my real life came back. She actually wanted to talk about her daughter who had been diagnosed with bladder cancer. Just had treatments and is getting ready for surgery in a week or so. Said her daughter refuses to wear hats, scarves etc to hide that she has lost her hair. Guess my hats, scarves etc give me away. But I looked at it like this, the lady needed someone to talk to and I was there. Oh, also told us that she just had to put her husband in a nursing home. The rest of the day continued to be great. Michelle and Gery invited us over for hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill. Such fun and laughter the four of us had. So grateful we have such wonderful neighbors as Gery and Michelle. They have helped Bill and me through a lot over the few months.
Speaking of helping us, we will be forever grateful to all of you too for all the prayers, cards, emails, texts, phone calls, reading of my blog, comments on my blog, comments on Facebook, IMs, all the candles lit, all the prayer lists I was added to, books sent, slippers sent, on and on. These are all things that have helped us get through the last few months also. I have been called strong but without the caring from each of you, I wouldn't have been so strong. I know that I will have to live with Multiple Myeloma forever but will push it back in my mind eventually and become even stronger. I have quilts to make!!!! And I have a bucket list in my own mind!!!
I referenced "in my own mind" several times because I really like the song by Lyle Lovett "In My Own Mind". The chorus is something I sing "in my own mind" a lot. Listen to it if you can.
Quote:
Cancer can change our lives in one split second but it can not take our continuous prayers, our belief to survive or our hope that a cure is near.
Thursday, March 9, 2017
Hair!
Today I started my Revlimid. One today and none till next week. This is my experimental rabbit program with Dr. Sarriera. He is trying to desensitize me to Revlimid. Hoping and praying his plan works as this is the only maintenance chemo pill he wants me to use. Others have worse side effects. Will update as the program continues.
Yesterday started out as a pretty good day. Around lunch time I started to feel a little light headed. Sat down to eat lunch and just didn't feel too well. Told Bill I was just going to go lay down. He immediately got up to help me to the bedroom as I was beginning to feel like I was going to pass out. He talked me through it and I didn't go completely out. Laid down for a while. Took my temp and that was okay. Tried to take my blood pressure but my wrist is so small we couldn't get it to work. Need a new one I guess. The feeling passed in about 1/2 hour. Not sure what could have caused it. Will talk to Dr. Sarriera about it next week. Just a fluke thing I am sure. Haven't felt that way since. But another worry for me.
I am so excited that my hair is growing. It's only about 1/8 inch long but I can see it. Mostly grey. But you know, I don't care if it comes in purple, just come it. It's nice not having to wash and dry my hair but I miss it. And I am tired of wearing hats, scarves, turbans. They are cute and all but enough! LOL! Someday I will take a picture and post it here.
Quote:
May you find the strength to face tomorrow in the love that surrounds you today!
Today I started my Revlimid. One today and none till next week. This is my experimental rabbit program with Dr. Sarriera. He is trying to desensitize me to Revlimid. Hoping and praying his plan works as this is the only maintenance chemo pill he wants me to use. Others have worse side effects. Will update as the program continues.
Yesterday started out as a pretty good day. Around lunch time I started to feel a little light headed. Sat down to eat lunch and just didn't feel too well. Told Bill I was just going to go lay down. He immediately got up to help me to the bedroom as I was beginning to feel like I was going to pass out. He talked me through it and I didn't go completely out. Laid down for a while. Took my temp and that was okay. Tried to take my blood pressure but my wrist is so small we couldn't get it to work. Need a new one I guess. The feeling passed in about 1/2 hour. Not sure what could have caused it. Will talk to Dr. Sarriera about it next week. Just a fluke thing I am sure. Haven't felt that way since. But another worry for me.
I am so excited that my hair is growing. It's only about 1/8 inch long but I can see it. Mostly grey. But you know, I don't care if it comes in purple, just come it. It's nice not having to wash and dry my hair but I miss it. And I am tired of wearing hats, scarves, turbans. They are cute and all but enough! LOL! Someday I will take a picture and post it here.
Quote:
May you find the strength to face tomorrow in the love that surrounds you today!
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
Day one!
When I had my last appointment with Dr. Sarriera, Abbey his RN mentioned the brownish skin on my neck hasn't disappeared yet. I thinking what? She laughed and asked me if I hadn't noticed it. I had noticed my skin on my neck looked a little rugged but not that it was brownish looking. She told us that it was from the high dose chemo I received before the transplant. It should disappear. I have noticed it has gotten darker. Even Sasha asked me what happened to my neck. Nothing major but another thing this awful "cancer" caused!
You learn to live with a lot of feelings when you are in the "cancer" world. Like feeling sick to your stomach, tired, weepy, sluggish, light headed, moody, anxious, scared, worried, unattractive and defeated. Each of these feelings pass through my mind through out my day. Some of them linger and I fight to not let them take over. Most days I win but some days I don't. You get very good at suppressing these feelings as you get stronger each day. You suppress them so others don't see them but mostly because you want to be normal again. Want back some of the life you were living before "cancer" picked up your world and threw it to the wind. Want to walk outside without a hat on to cover your bald head. Want to not worry if a new ache is caused by your cancer. Want to get up in the morning and not have your first thought be - I have cancer. All these feelings and wants are my daily life. All these feelings and wants are things I am working on to be a better me and win my battle. Yes, I may have to say I HAVE cancer and not I HAD cancer but I one day hope I can say that with a big smile on my face and not leave the ache in my heart come out.
So Thursday with be my day one of the desensitization program. I will take my 2.5 mg Revlimid chemo pill. This will be the only one I will take for a week. See Dr. Sarriera on Wednesday the 15th and go from there. No rash or any other side effects, will take another Revlimid the 16th. Then see him again and continue on and on. So lets hope and pray this will work for me.
Have had Sasha and Ellie since last Saturday. What awesome girls they are. We have enjoyed having them with us. This is the first we felt I would be able to have them stay several days. I think it went well. Will have to see what the girls tell their parents once they get home. ;)
Quote:
Everyone wants happiness. No one wants pain. But you can't have a rainbow without a little rain.
When I had my last appointment with Dr. Sarriera, Abbey his RN mentioned the brownish skin on my neck hasn't disappeared yet. I thinking what? She laughed and asked me if I hadn't noticed it. I had noticed my skin on my neck looked a little rugged but not that it was brownish looking. She told us that it was from the high dose chemo I received before the transplant. It should disappear. I have noticed it has gotten darker. Even Sasha asked me what happened to my neck. Nothing major but another thing this awful "cancer" caused!
You learn to live with a lot of feelings when you are in the "cancer" world. Like feeling sick to your stomach, tired, weepy, sluggish, light headed, moody, anxious, scared, worried, unattractive and defeated. Each of these feelings pass through my mind through out my day. Some of them linger and I fight to not let them take over. Most days I win but some days I don't. You get very good at suppressing these feelings as you get stronger each day. You suppress them so others don't see them but mostly because you want to be normal again. Want back some of the life you were living before "cancer" picked up your world and threw it to the wind. Want to walk outside without a hat on to cover your bald head. Want to not worry if a new ache is caused by your cancer. Want to get up in the morning and not have your first thought be - I have cancer. All these feelings and wants are my daily life. All these feelings and wants are things I am working on to be a better me and win my battle. Yes, I may have to say I HAVE cancer and not I HAD cancer but I one day hope I can say that with a big smile on my face and not leave the ache in my heart come out.
So Thursday with be my day one of the desensitization program. I will take my 2.5 mg Revlimid chemo pill. This will be the only one I will take for a week. See Dr. Sarriera on Wednesday the 15th and go from there. No rash or any other side effects, will take another Revlimid the 16th. Then see him again and continue on and on. So lets hope and pray this will work for me.
Have had Sasha and Ellie since last Saturday. What awesome girls they are. We have enjoyed having them with us. This is the first we felt I would be able to have them stay several days. I think it went well. Will have to see what the girls tell their parents once they get home. ;)
Quote:
Everyone wants happiness. No one wants pain. But you can't have a rainbow without a little rain.
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