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Aug 31: Home/Hospital
Blood counts took a nosedive today. 10 hrs in the hospital to get platelets. Will have to visit the hospital every day this holiday weekend for blood tests. [ugh] READ: w-a-i-t-i-n-g. [aargh] A wonderful way to spend a holiday weekend with the family. [sarcasm intended] Nosebleeds abated. Just feeling weak...and disappointed about having to visit the hospital every day. [more pouting] To rub it in, weather in Ohio is going to be beautiful this weekend. How often does *that* happen? [surly "aaaaarrrr" in a pirate's voice]. 2 sets of blood counts today (before and after platelets).
Aug 30: Home
This round of chemo will finish in mid-Sept...the halfway point in treatment. Wish I could go back to "normal" now instead of having to feel badly 4 more times and spending another 12+ weeks as "chemo boy". But the alternative...wait...living is a GOOD thing! [grin] I'll just watch another 3 months of Oxiclean commercials...or anything else sold for "...just $19.95. But wait. If you call now we'll include...[insert something useless here, like 'this handy digital, chordless, rhubarb leaf-cleaner']...not found in stores anywhere (makes you wonder, doesn't it?)" Can you spell "a-n-n-o-y-i-n-g"? [aack]
Weaker today. No endurance. Vision almost normal. Nosebleeds continue. Mouth weakening...no more spicy food for a few days. [pout] Will probably reach "neutropenia" tomorrow or Saturday. No, it's not a town in Pennsylvania, but a condition marked by a lack of white blood cells. No barrier to infections entering the body and no ability to fight it once it's there. Can't see kids, be out in public, eat fresh fruits or veggies... [sigh] Again, guess LIVING is better than the alternative!
Aug 29: Home
Not much sleep...still on hospital time, but, feeling pretty good. Popped in contacts to test the eyes...still a slight problem, but improved throughout the day. Couple nosebleeds today, too. Experienced "shake-and-bake" symptoms this evening (fever-chills), but a write-off to chemo. Over it now. Skin dry and itchy. No mouth sores yet.
Aug 28: Home
Ahhh! Home at last. Headache gone. Got blood transfusion last night. Slept much of day. Eyes dry, itchy, and not focusing well. Hopefully, steroid eyedrops will clear it up...
Aug 27: Hospital
Lousy night. Head throbbing and full. Neck & back sore. Took pain meds at 5:30am and slept 2hrs straight. Feeling improved this morning. Haven't seen Dr. H yet this morning. Will probably get to go home if I see him this morning. If he stops by this evening, I won't have time to get my medications from the pharmacy before they close and will probably not go home until Tuesday...
Aug 26: Hospital
Exhausted and weak. Sinus headache worsens. Faithful family visiting again. Lack of continuous sleep become serious.
Aug 25: Hospital
Lack of sleep continues... Weak. Mild, but annoying sinus headache. Family & friends visiting.
Aug 24: Hospital
Oof. Haven't had more than 1hr of sleep at a time in the last 36hrs. Lots of I.V. fluids (5 bags & 1 bottle; yee-haw!)--need I say more? Art Therapy folks stopped by today. I made a clay penguin. What fun! Day #2 with the bird feeder up at 70 ft. No visitors yet. Looks now like I may be able to be released Monday instead of Tuesday...who knows? I'll just be glad when I see the paperwork.
Aug 23: Hospital
"I'm back in the hospital again" (sung to the tune, "I'm back in the saddle again"). Good report today! Biopsy is clean. Houston, we have REMISSION. [cartwheel] Ow, my back. [haha] Ultrasound was clean, too (no masses). Did find some fatty tissue (damage to liver from chemo). Will wait for cytogenetics tests (2wks) on biopsy (looking 1 more time for PH+ chromosome). I'm being hydrated right now in preparation for Round 2, Cycle B to start this evening.
Aug 22: Home
Good night's rest. Mouth sore improved. Left eye almost normal. Pinkness lessened at Groshong site. Biopsy site is extremely tender--trouble sitting/standing/laying down (other than that, I'm fine! [grin]). Last day before chemo. Squeezed in some birding today. Ate steak this evening (Last Supper before chemo). [haha] Will get biopsy & ultrasound results tomorrow. Looking forward to clean reports!
Aug 21: Home
Feeling good. Back a bit stiff & bone marrow biopsy site feels like a good black & blue mark. Groshong site still pink. Left eye dry, but much improved. Able to get outside this afternoon. Weather was perfect for a walk.
Aug 20: Home
FLASH UPDATE: I'm staying home for a couple more days. Awaiting Bone Marrow Biopsy results. If clean, I'm in remission. If cancer is present, I'm not in remission, chemo doses will have to increase, and Bone Marrow Transplant would then be likely. Should have results by Wed/Thu timeframe. Currently set up to start Round 2, Cycle B on Thursday, 8/23.
Liver was slightly enlarged and liver functions were above normal. Will have an ultrasound done tomorrow morning to check for abnormalities. Lymphs were borderline high today, too--a possible indicator of cancer activity. Other blood counts were good.
EARLIER TODAY: Will be admitted to hospital this afternoon. Bone Marrow Biopsy scheduled this afternoon. Chemo will start afterwards. Still having slight problems with left eye focusing. A single mouth sore has been annoying for the last 4 days. Runny nose & dry mouth all week. Swelling in right ear has subsided, but slight hearing loss is apparent. Hoping this cycle will go smoothly...
Aug 19: Home
Another decent, relaxing day with family. Left eye still blurry, but improving. Groshong site slightly itchy & pink--NO INFECTIONS!
Aug 18: Home
Feeling good today. Relaxing day with family. Have been battling cold-like symptoms most of week. Slightly blurred vision in left eye has me concerned.
Aug 17: Home
Slept much of morning and early afternoon. Got outside just long enough to enjoy road closures...an annual Ohio leisure activity. Bone Marrow Biopsy is scheduled for Monday afternoon at the hospital. This test will definitely determine whether or not any cancer still exists in the marrow (where blood cells are made). A clean report means I am officially in a state of "remission". Chemo will start afterwards, and continue for 4 days via I.V. in the House of Pain...er...I mean, the hospital.
Aug 16: Home
Feeling great. Good news. Philadelphia chromosome is definitely negative! Gene mutations (copies of chromosome 22) are a non-issue (neither good or bad). Many factors in my favor for positive outlook--maybe 50-60% chance of staying in remission and roughly 50% chance of living beyond 5 yrs. Bone Marrow Transplant NOT recommended at this time (50% success rate, but couples with a 20% mortality rate for the operation). Chemo back on schedule for Monday, Aug 20.
Aug 15: Home
Another "good" day overall. Back still a bit sore and right leg a little stiff, but nothing like last week. Hearing improved, but still slightly impaired. Energy still at maybe 50% normal. Out with some birding friends, enjoying a cloudless afternoon with mild summer temperatures. Ahh. Life is good! Will have blood work done tomorrow as well as BMT options. Hope there will be no interruption to normal chemo schedule.
Aug 14: Home
Paperwork finalized last evening. Got out late. Infection will be ignored unless found to be serious. Feeling much improved overall. Able to get outside this afternoon to enjoy some REAL air and sunshine. Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) consultation set up at OSU's James Cancer Center for Thursday (8/16). Week delay in chemo to cover BMT options...Drs. not sure about Phillie Chromosome test results. May require another Bone Marrow Biopsy (ugh).
Aug 13: Hospital
Was told last night I'd be going home today for a week. Not out of the woods yet. Just had a blood culture from 8/8 return positive today (5 days?!?!). Would explain elevated WBCs. Slept most of day today. Still a bit lethargic.
Aug 12: Hospital
Looks like I'll be in the hospital until my blood numbers justify starting the next cycle of chemo (maybe Aug 13). Couldn't sleep last night. Not sure why. Took pain meds finally at 5:30am and promptly was out like a light. Physical Therapy this morning at 7:30am. Timing. (it's a hospital). Other than tired, feeling fair. Right ear plugged. Reduced hearing by 50%. Will need to check.
Aug 11: Hospital
Still very weak. Appetite returns after 20 hrs. Good news--NO MENINGITIS found on MRIs. Herniated disks in L4 and C5, with bone spurs at C4 & C5. While painful at times, will not do any surgery since it would interrupt the chemo schedule. Roaring/pounding in right side of head increasing. Lots of visitors and too much food. Grin.
Aug 10: Hospital
Got 1.5 hrs of MRI done last night on brain & spine--3 more hours of MRI today. ugh. felt totally clobbered and weak. drugs wore off before MRI finished. endured spasms during tests. felt very sick for next 12-15 hrs.
Aug 9: Hospital
blood counts later. got transfusion today. longer story coming...
Might be here a while. Scheduled 3-hr MRI of brain-to-waist is being delayed. Back spasms excruciating at times. Spent much of the day drugged in state of stupor...at least it was painless. MRI tonight? Not holding my breath, but would like to get the tests behind me. Worried about what's happening...
Aug 8: Home/Hospital
Slept well, but weaker in morning. Pain in right leg & neck and severely weakening condition. Into the Cancer Lab for tests. Had to be admitted back to the hospital for tests--possible meningitis. Too weak & interrupted to update the web page...
Aug 7: ER/Home
Yes, a whole 11 hrs in Emergency last night & this morning. Developed a backache late afternoon. Worsened significantly after 9pm with severe stomach bloating, shortness of breath, & tightness in the chest. After taking a powerful pain pill, the back continued to worsen alarmingly. Worst back pain ever. Admitted to ER at 2am. Catscan was clean (no internal bleeding). May be side effect of drugs I'm on. Will have to monitor closely next couple days. Bedrest for now. Feeling improved this evening.
Aug 6: Home
Slept well, but very weak. No endurance whatever. Walking into the pharmacy today, had to stop every 100 ft or so to catch my breath and let my heart slow down. Blood numbers better today, except for hemoglobin. Borderline serious anemia. Hope the energy starts coming back tomorrow.
Aug 5: Home
Ditto yesterday. A little run down. Voice weak. Made it through lowest White counts without mouth sores this time on Cycle A. 4 hrs sleep again. Blood counts improved. Took 4 hrs to get blood drawn & lab results today at hospital. Weekend hospital visits--ugh. Nap time coming on...
Aug 4: Home
A little stronger, but tired. Night sweats again. 4 hrs sleep. Blood counts stable yesterday. Will have to visit hospital lab for blood counts on Sunday. Family visiting today.
Aug 3: Home
Weak & pale this morning. Hard night's sleep. Night sweats returned en force. Low fever off-and-on. Will post today's blood counts later today, if I return home. I'm hoping I've bottomed out with blood counts and will not have to return to the hospital today...
Aug 2: Home
Not feeling as well. Fever last night with 12-hr headache. Not very hungry last night or this morning. Had chemo today. Blood counts even lower. Ate late lunch with improved appetite. Headache abated. Fever gone.
Aug 1: Home
Feeling good last night and this morning, but out of oomph by noon. Drove to visit family last night & this morning (first lone venture since May). Blood counts dropped dramatically since Monday.
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