Errinlee's Cancer Journey

It has been a long while. My numbers for day 8 on Aug 23 were 1.2 which was lower than 1.4 on day 1.  However, I was still able to get my infusion because as long as you are over 1, you are good to go.  When I got my blood work done, they had to try twice but then they left it in for the infusion so I did not have to get another poke.  So much easier that they can take blood from the port and do the chemo. Each time I get treatment, I seem to be even more tired and have a harder time recovering.  This is normal, I would think, considering what they are pumping into the body but it doesn't mean I have to like it! It was a long week with school starting back up.  So many requests and so little time and so little manpower. I was treated on Monday with a soak at Eclipse Nordic Hotsprings by my son and his girlfriend Cass.  It was very nice, relaxing and appreciated.  Thanks monk! I am back in Vancouver with Jacob.  My numbers today are 1.5 so a little...

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!

Another day closer to my next treatment.  Bloodwork Thursday and chemo at 3:30 on Friday. Breakfast was pancakes and eggs, lunch was grilled cheese, tomatoe basil soup and salad and dinner was salad, pork chops, potatoes, and asparagus. Did painting today.  Some northern lights.  Worked for the day and got a lot of emails cleaned up. Had to have a nap before dinner today.  The day seemed to peter me out. Watched a movie tonight and heading to bed shortly.

I have noticed that my day of chemo and the next are ok for energy.  The Sunday and thereafter, I start lacking energy and get really tired and have to start having naps but that is ok.   It was a rainy cloudy day but not an issue cause it was a work day today so we did not have plans on going anywhere. Breakfast was french toast and eggs; lunch was quiche, maccaroni salad and soup; dinner was almond crusted haddock, rice and way over cooked cauliflower.