Errinlee's Cancer Journey

Got my chemo infusion yesterday.  That was a challenge!  I was still swollen from getting the port implanted and they had to try three times with three with three needles to get one in.  Three different nurses tried and the last felt like she was pushing so hard that it would come out my back.  I had tears rolling down my face...so painful!  But it finally went in.  They assure me that next time will be better.  No burning from the Gem which is fantastic.  I will put some pictures below of the site.   Fran, my study nurse also told me that they can draw blood from the port as they had difficulty drawing from my arms this time.  They can then leave in the needle if I am having my chemo infusion on the same day so only one poke. Going to try to pick blackberries today if there are any left.  My sister has a friend in New Westminster that has some bushes close to his house.

So a little catching up: Once I get home from my day 8 of the cycle treatment, I am generally very tired, trying to catch up on house stuff, working, and trying to get in a coffee with friends. Got to visit my friend Shelly Sharp who was in town from Quebec.  So glad we were able to connect before she headed home. Had dinner with my brother and Sari and got to see my niece Mykinna.  Dinner was fabulous! Went for a fantastic visit and boat ride on Saturday with my cancer group.  Was such a great day! Flew to Vancouver on Tuesday and had my port put in on Wednesday.  Everything went very well.  No reactions to the drugs.  Finally found a pain drug that did not try to impair my breathing, fentanyl......lol.   Had a CT scan on Monday, Aug 5 and got the results today.  My nodule shrunk from 15 mm to 5 mm and the other small stuff has shrunk enough that it cannot be seen.  This is such good news.  Again, I am stoked but am always worried ...

So another day behind.   Good news!  My numbers went from .8 to 1.9 overnight.  I think it is all the sleep I got on Thursday, Miranda believes it is the Salmon and the smoothie she made me eat and drink.  Perhaps a combo did the trick.  So I received my chemo treatment on Friday afternoon as scheduled after multiple (4) attempts at getting a good vein.  Treatment burned again being that it was in a small vein.  Won't have to worry about that for the next round as they are putting in the port. Been a long day and I am tired,  Check out is at 9:00 but my flight is not till 3:15.  It's a long wait.  Plus battling a headache and was not feeling the greatest so took some anti-nausea pills and ibprofen and tylenol to help reduce the discomfort. It is now 2:01 so 45 min till boarding.  Will be nice to be home and back in my own bed.  Thanks again to my fantastic sister who took a week and a half to support me in Vancouver.

Well, been a couple days.  Worked, stepped out for a bit, slept a lot (today). The news today was not good.  My blood count numbers were down again to .8 which is below the 1 that is required to do treatment.  I was so very, very tired today.  Slept a good portion of it.  When I went for bloodwork this am, it felt like I had jelly muscles and bones.  Then I got the email news.   I am going to do bloodwork again Friday am 🤞 that the numbers will come up enough. Miranda made me eat Salmon today.  I am not a fish eater normally.  She said it was good for me.  I sucked it up and ate it.  Thankfully there was a berry compote with it. Shout out to you monk!