Marcy drove me to the Oncology office and I got my herceptin IV today and a shot of Lupron. Dr. Rubin said that things looked good on the CT scan and bone scan, except for 1 thing in the report. I am going to have Marcy get the cd of the images and bring it to her tomorrow, so that we will know more about how important this thing is.
Surgery is Friday (tomorrow) morning. I may be overnight at the hospital. Wish me luck!
Touch count: 22
Needle count: 64
Showing posts with label touch count. Show all posts
Showing posts with label touch count. Show all posts
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
appointment-hell-day redux
Last night, I slept over my friend Marcy's beautiful house in Mt Airy. We got up early and she drove me to Hahnemann hospital for doctor-appointment-hell-day. She asked the security guard to order us a wheelchair and I took the elevator upstairs to wait for my appointment.
Dr. Junkin examined my leg again and said that the pathology report showed no signs of infection. He said that he was planning to excise the cyst on Friday. He said that I'd probably be overnight or admitted for 23 hours (an insurance thing) following surgery. He also said that the scar would be big because the cyst is so gigantic. Dr. Junkin suggested that it'd be a 2 - 4 week recovery time and said that I probably wouldn't need physical therapy, since my normal movements would probably be "enough" to strengthen the muscles again. He also said that I would be in a knee immobilizer to keep my knee straight for a few weeks. I think it is kind of funny that I haven't been able to straighten my knee for so long and now I won't be able to bend it either.
Dr. Junkin added that I'd use crutches or a walker (if the crutches irritated the scar from the sentinel node biopsy). He seemed to think I'd be put off by the walker. This year has been a sort of timewarp for me: I've lost my hair, entered menopause, walk stooped with a cane, and spend more time resting on the couch than socializing. Using a walker wouldn't be worse than any of that.
After that appointment, Marcy and I got some food in the cafeteria and ran into Maureen, the art therapist. We chatted until my next appointment, for pre-surgery screening. I answered the same 100 questions that I always do and gave a urine sample to prove once again that I'm not pregnant. The nurse got a needle to get some blood. I got a little nervous, but she had no trouble getting a vein. Yay!
We left that appointment with enough time to get a quick cup of tea and snack before my next appointment across the street. Dr Lind, my surgeon, examined my breast and said that it looked like it was healing beautifully. He pulled off the surgi-tape that was left, which left a bigger scar than I imagined. He said that it was still swollen, but would be fine in a few more weeks. Dr. Lind also examined my leg and noted the areas of numbness and swelling. He said that he's "never seen anything like that in 25 years of practice". That's not reassuring. Dr. Lind promised he'd check on me after surgery. That's very reassuring. I love that man.
After all of these appointments, Marcy brought me home and I rested. I can't take ibuprofen before surgery and I don't have any tylenol here, so my only painkilling options are Vicodin and Percoset. Mostly, I'm going to be resting and sleeping for a few hours at a time until tomorrow's appointment at noon.
needle count: 62
touch count: 21
Dr. Junkin examined my leg again and said that the pathology report showed no signs of infection. He said that he was planning to excise the cyst on Friday. He said that I'd probably be overnight or admitted for 23 hours (an insurance thing) following surgery. He also said that the scar would be big because the cyst is so gigantic. Dr. Junkin suggested that it'd be a 2 - 4 week recovery time and said that I probably wouldn't need physical therapy, since my normal movements would probably be "enough" to strengthen the muscles again. He also said that I would be in a knee immobilizer to keep my knee straight for a few weeks. I think it is kind of funny that I haven't been able to straighten my knee for so long and now I won't be able to bend it either.
Dr. Junkin added that I'd use crutches or a walker (if the crutches irritated the scar from the sentinel node biopsy). He seemed to think I'd be put off by the walker. This year has been a sort of timewarp for me: I've lost my hair, entered menopause, walk stooped with a cane, and spend more time resting on the couch than socializing. Using a walker wouldn't be worse than any of that.
After that appointment, Marcy and I got some food in the cafeteria and ran into Maureen, the art therapist. We chatted until my next appointment, for pre-surgery screening. I answered the same 100 questions that I always do and gave a urine sample to prove once again that I'm not pregnant. The nurse got a needle to get some blood. I got a little nervous, but she had no trouble getting a vein. Yay!
We left that appointment with enough time to get a quick cup of tea and snack before my next appointment across the street. Dr Lind, my surgeon, examined my breast and said that it looked like it was healing beautifully. He pulled off the surgi-tape that was left, which left a bigger scar than I imagined. He said that it was still swollen, but would be fine in a few more weeks. Dr. Lind also examined my leg and noted the areas of numbness and swelling. He said that he's "never seen anything like that in 25 years of practice". That's not reassuring. Dr. Lind promised he'd check on me after surgery. That's very reassuring. I love that man.
After all of these appointments, Marcy brought me home and I rested. I can't take ibuprofen before surgery and I don't have any tylenol here, so my only painkilling options are Vicodin and Percoset. Mostly, I'm going to be resting and sleeping for a few hours at a time until tomorrow's appointment at noon.
needle count: 62
touch count: 21
Monday, July 23, 2012
Knee drain today
I am just getting home from the hospital where the doctors aspirated 110ccs of fluid from my knee. That makes 280ccs total. When I have more energy, I will try to find an equivalent. The doctor sent the fluid to pathology to check for infection and possible malignancy.
Today, I am calling docs to coordinate the surgery to remove the knee cyst.
Needle count: 61 (Today I had 1 Lidocaine shot and 1 needle to aspirate.)
Touch count: 20
Today, I am calling docs to coordinate the surgery to remove the knee cyst.
Needle count: 61 (Today I had 1 Lidocaine shot and 1 needle to aspirate.)
Touch count: 20
Friday, July 20, 2012
ct scan and mri
I hobbled to my primary care doctor's office to get a referral for the MRI today and met my friend Amy at the coffeeshop across the street from his office. Amy drove me to Methodist Hospital for the tests. She pulled up in the back and grabbed me a wheelchair.
My first test was the MRI. It was in the trailer outside the building; I'd never had an MRI at that one before. I explained my knee's lack of mobility to the technician and we tried to find an acceptable position for me to be in during the exam. After the first few minutes, my leg started to throb. It got worse and tears started to come to my eyes. I pressed the "emergency" button to ask how much longer. I thought it was maybe halfway through the test, not 5 minutes into it. The technician said to try to stay in the test. I did try, but a few minutes later, my foot started to get hot. Really hot. Like it was burning. The searing sensation lapped up my leg and I became hysterical. I cried so hard that the technician stopped the test. I think he lifted off the apparatus on my knee and carried me off the machine into the wheelchair before I calmed down. I felt terribly embarrassed and my leg hurt (though the burning stopped after the apparatus came off). The technician wheeled me out of the trailer and up to the 2nd floor of the hospital. He even got me crackers and juice, as my lack of eating (because of the tests) probably contributed to the hysteria.
When I got upstairs and registered for the second test, a nurse brought me a fairly bad-tasting milkshake to drink to coat my insides so that they'd show up on the CT scan. Then she brought me back to a room to start an IV. I told her that during surgery it took 9 tries to get the anesthesia needle in; she said that she wouldn't even try and called for a nurse to hook up my IV with an ultrasound. It took her 20 minutes, a shot of Lidocaine (to numb me), and lots of warm blankets (to help get the blood flowing) to get a vein in my upper arm. The needle left a giant ugly bruise, but it cheerfully only took her one try. The scan itself only took a few minutes. Afterwards, my friend Tony picked me up. We got lunch before he brought me home.
Needle count: 59
Touch count: 20
My first test was the MRI. It was in the trailer outside the building; I'd never had an MRI at that one before. I explained my knee's lack of mobility to the technician and we tried to find an acceptable position for me to be in during the exam. After the first few minutes, my leg started to throb. It got worse and tears started to come to my eyes. I pressed the "emergency" button to ask how much longer. I thought it was maybe halfway through the test, not 5 minutes into it. The technician said to try to stay in the test. I did try, but a few minutes later, my foot started to get hot. Really hot. Like it was burning. The searing sensation lapped up my leg and I became hysterical. I cried so hard that the technician stopped the test. I think he lifted off the apparatus on my knee and carried me off the machine into the wheelchair before I calmed down. I felt terribly embarrassed and my leg hurt (though the burning stopped after the apparatus came off). The technician wheeled me out of the trailer and up to the 2nd floor of the hospital. He even got me crackers and juice, as my lack of eating (because of the tests) probably contributed to the hysteria.
When I got upstairs and registered for the second test, a nurse brought me a fairly bad-tasting milkshake to drink to coat my insides so that they'd show up on the CT scan. Then she brought me back to a room to start an IV. I told her that during surgery it took 9 tries to get the anesthesia needle in; she said that she wouldn't even try and called for a nurse to hook up my IV with an ultrasound. It took her 20 minutes, a shot of Lidocaine (to numb me), and lots of warm blankets (to help get the blood flowing) to get a vein in my upper arm. The needle left a giant ugly bruise, but it cheerfully only took her one try. The scan itself only took a few minutes. Afterwards, my friend Tony picked me up. We got lunch before he brought me home.
Needle count: 59
Touch count: 20
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Surgery
Surgery was yesterday. Ken brought me to the hospital around 8am to check in. My parents met us in the pre- procedure room. After answering the same questions a dozen times and changing into a hospital gown, the transportation crew took me to Nuclear Medicine.
The doctor there explained that he was going to inject my breast 4 times with a radioactive material and photograph it using a gamma ray machine (which looked remarkably like the bone scan machine from Wednesday). I felt anxious about the needles and tried deep breathing and imaging myself in lovely environments to relax myself, but the injections HURT. The initial injection felt like an intense insect bite, but the saline-radioactive material stung and burned. I could not help crying. After the injections, the platform I was on slid into the machine; the camera part moved to just above my face. I laid like that for 45 minutes of imagery. My family came in totallwith me.
From there,I was wheeled to the pre/post -operation area. I told a bunch of doctors and nurses my name, birthdate, and therocedures that I was having. The anesthesia people came in to set up an IV. The resident blew a vein on his first try (2 needles) and the doctor took over. He grid several times on my right foot. I yelped. My surgeon came over to reassure me. The resident let me squeeze his hands to handle the pain of the injections. After a few tries, they wheeled me into surgery. The anesthesiologist gassed me to put the IV.
The next thing I knew, I was back in the pre/post operation area. My leg was throbbing so badly that I couldn't lay still. The anesthesiologist injected something into my IV and I fell back to sleep for another hour or so. When I woke up again, myleg throbbed so badly I couldn't get comfortable. My friend, the art therapist, visited me for a while.
The nurses sent me back to the procedure admissions to be discharged. My parents and Ken were there. I was in a lot of pain. My breast and underarm were feeling sharp and achy, while my body was not tolerating having my leg pressed against anything. Within the longest hour ever, the nurse brought me 2 percosets. Then she and my mother helped me get dressed.
We left the hospital around 7pm. Mom packed up some clothes and Ken brought my favorite technologies. Then we drove 2 1/2 hours to my parents' house. The ride was painful. Every bump made me yelp and whimper.
I had trouble sleeping because my leg was in too much pain. I woke up every time it touched any surface.
Needle count:57 (44 + 4 (for imaging) + 9 (for the IV)
Touch count: 20
The doctor there explained that he was going to inject my breast 4 times with a radioactive material and photograph it using a gamma ray machine (which looked remarkably like the bone scan machine from Wednesday). I felt anxious about the needles and tried deep breathing and imaging myself in lovely environments to relax myself, but the injections HURT. The initial injection felt like an intense insect bite, but the saline-radioactive material stung and burned. I could not help crying. After the injections, the platform I was on slid into the machine; the camera part moved to just above my face. I laid like that for 45 minutes of imagery. My family came in totallwith me.
From there,I was wheeled to the pre/post -operation area. I told a bunch of doctors and nurses my name, birthdate, and therocedures that I was having. The anesthesia people came in to set up an IV. The resident blew a vein on his first try (2 needles) and the doctor took over. He grid several times on my right foot. I yelped. My surgeon came over to reassure me. The resident let me squeeze his hands to handle the pain of the injections. After a few tries, they wheeled me into surgery. The anesthesiologist gassed me to put the IV.
The next thing I knew, I was back in the pre/post operation area. My leg was throbbing so badly that I couldn't lay still. The anesthesiologist injected something into my IV and I fell back to sleep for another hour or so. When I woke up again, myleg throbbed so badly I couldn't get comfortable. My friend, the art therapist, visited me for a while.
The nurses sent me back to the procedure admissions to be discharged. My parents and Ken were there. I was in a lot of pain. My breast and underarm were feeling sharp and achy, while my body was not tolerating having my leg pressed against anything. Within the longest hour ever, the nurse brought me 2 percosets. Then she and my mother helped me get dressed.
We left the hospital around 7pm. Mom packed up some clothes and Ken brought my favorite technologies. Then we drove 2 1/2 hours to my parents' house. The ride was painful. Every bump made me yelp and whimper.
I had trouble sleeping because my leg was in too much pain. I woke up every time it touched any surface.
Needle count:57 (44 + 4 (for imaging) + 9 (for the IV)
Touch count: 20
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
bone scan
Today, I had a bone scan at Methodist Hospital. My friend Dan drove me the 4 blocks to the hospital. We got there around 9 am and got up the the Nuclear Medicine Department within an hour. The technician brought out a metal canister that held the hypodermic needle in it. She gave me the shot in my right arm, then said that I could return in 3 hours. Another technician helped me into a wheelchair and drove me downstairs and outside to Dan's car.
Dan and I got breakfast at Oregon Diner and chitchatted about non-cancer topics. yay!
We stopped by the Post Office. I got a lovely package from my friend Kaja. It had a fantastic book of letters and a banner in it. Then we headed back to the hospital for the scan itself. Dan grabbed me a wheelchair and brought me up to the floor as we got to the hospital so that I wouldn't have to walk at all.
For the scan, the technicians strapped me to a platform that slid into a ring-shaped structure. It wasn't as enclosed as an MRI. It sat just a few inches in front of my face for a few minutes and then moved slowly down my body. I mostly rested with my eyes closed and imagined relaxing on beaches. The process took about 20 minutes. Then they re-oriented the machine twice and specifically scanned my hips, as bone loss typically shows up there first.
Afterwards, the technician drove my wheelchair out to the bus stop and I headed to work.
Surgery is in 3 more days. I am a little nervous, mostly about the immobility of my leg and the probable immobility of my arm, too. I'm also a little nervous about the biopsies, but there isn't anything to do about that now.
Needle count: 44
Touch count: 18
Dan and I got breakfast at Oregon Diner and chitchatted about non-cancer topics. yay!
We stopped by the Post Office. I got a lovely package from my friend Kaja. It had a fantastic book of letters and a banner in it. Then we headed back to the hospital for the scan itself. Dan grabbed me a wheelchair and brought me up to the floor as we got to the hospital so that I wouldn't have to walk at all.
For the scan, the technicians strapped me to a platform that slid into a ring-shaped structure. It wasn't as enclosed as an MRI. It sat just a few inches in front of my face for a few minutes and then moved slowly down my body. I mostly rested with my eyes closed and imagined relaxing on beaches. The process took about 20 minutes. Then they re-oriented the machine twice and specifically scanned my hips, as bone loss typically shows up there first.
Afterwards, the technician drove my wheelchair out to the bus stop and I headed to work.
Surgery is in 3 more days. I am a little nervous, mostly about the immobility of my leg and the probable immobility of my arm, too. I'm also a little nervous about the biopsies, but there isn't anything to do about that now.
Needle count: 44
Touch count: 18
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Surgery is scheduled
Yesterday, I met with my surgeon very briefly. He scheduled my lumpectomy for next Friday. Lumpectomy stills sounds like a made up word.
Today, I saw my oncologist. I got a bag of herceptin which took about an hour. I will be getting this $5000 shot every 3 weeks until February. I also got a shot (in my butt) of lupron, which shuts down my ovaries. Blegh. The doctor added that the raised itchy bumps were probably mosquito and that I might be extra attractive to them and/ or extra allergic to them, courtesy of chemo. Chemo's so full of so many surprises.
Also, in case you were curious, I walk like a little old lady with a cane and support hose. I make friends with the grandmas while waiting for buses. It is possible that the last aspiration will make my knee all better, but it isn't statistically likely. I asked my surgeon for physical therapy, as I can't straighten my knee, but my oncologist thinks that no one would work with me because the cyst is still there. Meanwhile, I hobble and rest every half block and take Percocet to sleep or put my foot up.
Today's appointment took so long that I didn't go to work. I was in the office from 11 am to 4pm.
Needle count: 43
Touch count: 18
Today, I saw my oncologist. I got a bag of herceptin which took about an hour. I will be getting this $5000 shot every 3 weeks until February. I also got a shot (in my butt) of lupron, which shuts down my ovaries. Blegh. The doctor added that the raised itchy bumps were probably mosquito and that I might be extra attractive to them and/ or extra allergic to them, courtesy of chemo. Chemo's so full of so many surprises.
Also, in case you were curious, I walk like a little old lady with a cane and support hose. I make friends with the grandmas while waiting for buses. It is possible that the last aspiration will make my knee all better, but it isn't statistically likely. I asked my surgeon for physical therapy, as I can't straighten my knee, but my oncologist thinks that no one would work with me because the cyst is still there. Meanwhile, I hobble and rest every half block and take Percocet to sleep or put my foot up.
Today's appointment took so long that I didn't go to work. I was in the office from 11 am to 4pm.
Needle count: 43
Touch count: 18
Friday, June 1, 2012
Lumpy 2: the end
After meeting with vascular surgeons, I met with the orthopedic team, starting around 2 am. The doctors examined my knee several times and decided to aspirated the cyst, instead of doing surgery. In my hospital bed, they gave me a shot of novacaine before sticking in a big needle to pull out the bloody synovial fluid. They pulled out 60 ccs of fluid and bandaged up my knee. There was more fluid in there,but that was the easy part to take out.
I hope it is all better now. I can't wait to go home.
Chemo is Monday.
Needle count: 34
Touch count: 17
I hope it is all better now. I can't wait to go home.
Chemo is Monday.
Needle count: 34
Touch count: 17
Thursday, May 31, 2012
In the hospital
I took a cab to chemo this morning around 11am. The waiting room was super busy. My nurses brought me back to the chemo room to check my vitals. Sam stuck my port to draw blood to check blood counts. After about an hour she sent me to the waiting room to talk to Dr.Rubin because she wanted to talk with me before chemo.
She examined my leg and said that it was much more swollen than last time she saw it. I told her about my appointment with Dr. Lind yesterday. She added that the blood in the cyst might be from a small bump that I may have not noticed. She called the vascular specialist who suggested that I be admitted to the hospital for surgery.
It took a few hours to get admitted and to be settled into a room. As they wheeled me to the elevators, we ran into Ken who had brought me snacks. After that, I met with the floor nurse, Jen, who took my vitals again. I met with the 3rd year med student who did another history of me and took my vitals for the 4th time today. I also met with the surgical team, who did another history. The resident had been on the team that had put in my port. He explained that the cyst seemed to be pressing against blood vessels and that I would need surgery for it. The cyst would refill I immediately if it was drained. He said that the surgery wold be tomorrow afternoon, but that he needed to confirm with the vascular surgeon first. I can't eat after midnight until after surgery.
The nurse just replaced the port access needle with a sturdier one, involving lots of blood. Ick.
I am at Hahnemann Hospital. Room 1576. I dont know how long i will be here or what exactly will happen. I am glad I bring so many fun things to chemo to entertain myself.
My parents said they are coming tomorrow.
Needle count: 32
Touch count: 17
She examined my leg and said that it was much more swollen than last time she saw it. I told her about my appointment with Dr. Lind yesterday. She added that the blood in the cyst might be from a small bump that I may have not noticed. She called the vascular specialist who suggested that I be admitted to the hospital for surgery.
It took a few hours to get admitted and to be settled into a room. As they wheeled me to the elevators, we ran into Ken who had brought me snacks. After that, I met with the floor nurse, Jen, who took my vitals again. I met with the 3rd year med student who did another history of me and took my vitals for the 4th time today. I also met with the surgical team, who did another history. The resident had been on the team that had put in my port. He explained that the cyst seemed to be pressing against blood vessels and that I would need surgery for it. The cyst would refill I immediately if it was drained. He said that the surgery wold be tomorrow afternoon, but that he needed to confirm with the vascular surgeon first. I can't eat after midnight until after surgery.
The nurse just replaced the port access needle with a sturdier one, involving lots of blood. Ick.
I am at Hahnemann Hospital. Room 1576. I dont know how long i will be here or what exactly will happen. I am glad I bring so many fun things to chemo to entertain myself.
My parents said they are coming tomorrow.
Needle count: 32
Touch count: 17
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Antibiotics and a mystery infection
I am exhausted. I went to the chemo doctor today because the nurses insisted because of my fevers. The doctor prescribed me antibiotics "just in case" and wants me to continue to monitor my temps. The nurse took a ton of blood to check of infections. I lost another 5lbs in the last 2 weeks. I am trying to eat, but I am not hungry. I am tryin to rest, but I can't get comfortable.
needle count: 30
touch count: 16
needle count: 30
touch count: 16
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Chemo #5
"It's remarkable," said my doc after examining my breast. She couldn't feel the lump!! Yay! I am almost done with chemo. I only have one more to go! I see the light at the end of this tunnel, though there's still surgery and radiation to come. I am exhausted and have been sleeping on and off since I finished treatment on Thursday. I have a few new bites; maybe I do have bed bugs. The doc said something about fixing my knee, but I don't recall what it was. I fell asleep a few times during the exam. I think she was suggesting surgery for the cyst during the surgery to take out the breast lump. I could be wrong though. I'll call on Monday to find out. Also, I am having hot flashes, what with the menopause. If you know of any ways to deal with them, please let me know.
needle count: 28
touch count: 16
needle count: 28
touch count: 16
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Chemo #4
I had chemo yesterday. I am really dozy, so I will keep it short. I am 2/3s done. Yay! My doc said that she will set up an appointment to get Lumpy II (the bakers cyst) drained. Yay! My leg is pretty swollen. My healthy ankle is 8" around and my not so healthy one is 15" around because the blod vessels are cut off from the cyst. I am using a cane. I had lovely amazing Greek easter with my folks on sunday. My cousins gave me an iPad. They are awesome. Also, I went to chiropractor and acupuncture on Monday. I think it helped. My acupuncturist suggested that I eliminate gluten since it can increase inflammation. There was more, but I cant remember it articulately. Today I am mostly half awake.
Needle count: 27
Touch count: 16
Needle count: 27
Touch count: 16
Friday, April 6, 2012
food poisoning
I spent last weekend horribly sick to my stomach. It was awful. I called the oncologist Monday and came to office Tuesday. The nurses were concerned; I lost 5lbs in the previous week. They gave 2 bags of IV fluids and some antinausea medications. My doctor said that she thought that I just had food poisoning. Ugh!
Somehow, sitting in the office irritated the cyst in my knee (Lumpy II) and I've been having trouble walking since then.
The new painkillers I have tend to make my brain woozy, but don't do a whole lot for my perception of pain.
Today, I'm feeling pretty good. My digestive system seems relatively happy, finally.
I just noticed that my needle count is at 25. Wow! I think we should start placing bets on the final (as in after the last radiation appointment) needle count.
needle count: 25
touch count: 15
Somehow, sitting in the office irritated the cyst in my knee (Lumpy II) and I've been having trouble walking since then.
The new painkillers I have tend to make my brain woozy, but don't do a whole lot for my perception of pain.
Today, I'm feeling pretty good. My digestive system seems relatively happy, finally.
I just noticed that my needle count is at 25. Wow! I think we should start placing bets on the final (as in after the last radiation appointment) needle count.
needle count: 25
touch count: 15
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
chemo #3
Yesterday, I had my third chemo session. I have 3 more to go.
I'm exhausted. Mom and Athena came with me to the appointment. Again, my port didn't bleed, so it needed to be flushed.
I got a shot of something to shut down my ovaries. I can't remember the last time that I had an injection in my ass. I am kind of nervous about the chemo-induced menopause. I don't really have the energy to talk about that right now, though.
The doctor says the tumor is almost gone.
Today, I walked to the post office and got a bunch of fantastic care packages. Thanks! I was so tired, a friend had to pick me up and drive me four blocks home.
needle count: 24
touch count: 14
I'm exhausted. Mom and Athena came with me to the appointment. Again, my port didn't bleed, so it needed to be flushed.
I got a shot of something to shut down my ovaries. I can't remember the last time that I had an injection in my ass. I am kind of nervous about the chemo-induced menopause. I don't really have the energy to talk about that right now, though.
The doctor says the tumor is almost gone.
Today, I walked to the post office and got a bunch of fantastic care packages. Thanks! I was so tired, a friend had to pick me up and drive me four blocks home.
needle count: 24
touch count: 14
Monday, March 19, 2012
in the frying pan and on fire
I called the doctor earlier last week to ask for more drugs. My legs and hips were hurting and the percoset was not helping with the pain. The nurse asked me to come into the office on Thursday because she didn't think the pain should be so intense.
On Thursday, I headed to the office on my way to work. The oncologist examined my breast again; Lumpy is even smaller. Yay! She looked at my leg briefly and said that she thought it might be a blood clot. She admitted me to Hahnemann Hospital so that they could assess and treat it.
At the hospital, they took 5 vials of blood from my port and took my vitals 3 different times in the space of 2 hours. The nurse also gave me a shot of blood thinner medication into my belly every 12 hours to treat the possible blood clot. Later, the art therapist brought me a ton of art supplies. A few friends visited me and we joked around before visiting hours closed for the day. I had trouble sleeping because my back, hips, and entire left leg couldn't get comfortable. I was in pain, despite the percosets every 4 hours. I painted watercolors all night.
In the morning, they wheeled me down to x-ray and ultrasound. The radiology technician did the exam twice, pressing the magical ultrasound wand hard into the sore spots on my leg. The doctor asked me questions about Lumpy and whether or not it was an invasive cancer. Normally, I might have been more anxious with these questions, but I was barely able to keep my eyes open after not sleeping and taking regular painkillers all night.
My oncologist said that I have a Baker's Cyst, basically a fluid-filled sac behind my knee cap. It is pressing against blood vessels, which explains why my calf is swollen. She released me from the hospital.
I spent the weekend limping around Ikea and hobbling at a party. My primary care doc examined me today and said that I should stick with ice, ibuprofen, and rest because stupid cancer and stupid cancer drugs might be affected by the treatment of the cyst.
Nothing like leaving the doc in pain.
needle count: 21
touch count: 13
On Thursday, I headed to the office on my way to work. The oncologist examined my breast again; Lumpy is even smaller. Yay! She looked at my leg briefly and said that she thought it might be a blood clot. She admitted me to Hahnemann Hospital so that they could assess and treat it.
At the hospital, they took 5 vials of blood from my port and took my vitals 3 different times in the space of 2 hours. The nurse also gave me a shot of blood thinner medication into my belly every 12 hours to treat the possible blood clot. Later, the art therapist brought me a ton of art supplies. A few friends visited me and we joked around before visiting hours closed for the day. I had trouble sleeping because my back, hips, and entire left leg couldn't get comfortable. I was in pain, despite the percosets every 4 hours. I painted watercolors all night.
In the morning, they wheeled me down to x-ray and ultrasound. The radiology technician did the exam twice, pressing the magical ultrasound wand hard into the sore spots on my leg. The doctor asked me questions about Lumpy and whether or not it was an invasive cancer. Normally, I might have been more anxious with these questions, but I was barely able to keep my eyes open after not sleeping and taking regular painkillers all night.
My oncologist said that I have a Baker's Cyst, basically a fluid-filled sac behind my knee cap. It is pressing against blood vessels, which explains why my calf is swollen. She released me from the hospital.
I spent the weekend limping around Ikea and hobbling at a party. My primary care doc examined me today and said that I should stick with ice, ibuprofen, and rest because stupid cancer and stupid cancer drugs might be affected by the treatment of the cyst.
Nothing like leaving the doc in pain.
needle count: 21
touch count: 13
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
chemo #2
(This entry is brought to you by Percoset, Gatorade, and a mighty chemo hangover.)
Yesterday, I had my second dose of chemo. The nurse couldn't get my port to bleed, so she suggested using a vein in my arm. She tried, but I don't have easy veins. They like to hide from sharp objects. She found one in my hand, but it wouldn't bleed enough either. The nurse went back to the port and flushed it before starting the anti-nausea and Benedryl drips.
The doc said that Lumpy is smaller and not stuck to the skin wall anymore. Yay!! I can't see it anymore. Before, it kinda stretched the skin on my breast, like a mini baby bump in the wrong spot. She also said that this chemo would not be worse than the first one.
I told my friend that I should be done around 2 or 3, but we ended up not getting done till after 5ish.
I feel ok today, just very tired with chills. I am waiting to have the energy to get up to go to the bathroom.
needle count: 18
touch count: 12
Yesterday, I had my second dose of chemo. The nurse couldn't get my port to bleed, so she suggested using a vein in my arm. She tried, but I don't have easy veins. They like to hide from sharp objects. She found one in my hand, but it wouldn't bleed enough either. The nurse went back to the port and flushed it before starting the anti-nausea and Benedryl drips.
The doc said that Lumpy is smaller and not stuck to the skin wall anymore. Yay!! I can't see it anymore. Before, it kinda stretched the skin on my breast, like a mini baby bump in the wrong spot. She also said that this chemo would not be worse than the first one.
I told my friend that I should be done around 2 or 3, but we ended up not getting done till after 5ish.
I feel ok today, just very tired with chills. I am waiting to have the energy to get up to go to the bathroom.
needle count: 18
touch count: 12
Thursday, February 23, 2012
chemo follow up
I saw Dr. R., my chemo doctor, for a follow up this morning.
The chemo nurse took 3 vials of blood to check my counts. She explained that the pain in my back, hips, and legs was from the shot that they gave me to increase my white blood cells. Since bone tissue creates blood cells, the biggest bones in my body were working really hard. No wonder I've been in so much pain. It worked, though. I have more white blood cells in my body than you (or most people) do. Yay!
Dr. R. said "no restrictions" and seemed to think that things were going very well. She felt Lumpy and said that it was softer and that the skin over it was easier to move. Apparently, that's a good sign.
needle count: 15
touch count: 11
The chemo nurse took 3 vials of blood to check my counts. She explained that the pain in my back, hips, and legs was from the shot that they gave me to increase my white blood cells. Since bone tissue creates blood cells, the biggest bones in my body were working really hard. No wonder I've been in so much pain. It worked, though. I have more white blood cells in my body than you (or most people) do. Yay!
Dr. R. said "no restrictions" and seemed to think that things were going very well. She felt Lumpy and said that it was softer and that the skin over it was easier to move. Apparently, that's a good sign.
needle count: 15
touch count: 11
Sunday, February 19, 2012
chemo
Thursday was my first chemo treatment. Since then, things have been kind of a blur. I will try to piece it together.
On Thursday, I was at the office from 11:30 am till almost 7pm. Dr R. examined me and told me about the treatment side effects. I had to wait for an available chemo chair.
Then a nurse injected the port site. It hurt. A lot. I probably would have kicked her if she was in front of me, just from reflexes. She said that it won't hurt as much next time because it would be more healed. I am getting cytoxan, herceptin, and taxotere. The nurses also gave me benedryl and dexamethasone so that I wouldn't be allergic or nauseous. Mostly I slept. When I woke up, Ken and Nicole were there, which felt good. Ken took me to get pho and I slept for the rest of the night.
I slept most of Friday. I woke up so cold that I was shaking, despite laying in my zero-degree sleeping bag. I put on thermals and another blanket so that I could go back to sleep. My temperature went up to 100.4, so I called the doctor. My neighbor came by and made me tea. Ken brought me soup. I don't remember anything but trying to get comfortable.
I can't speak to anyone else's experience, but chemo, for me, felt like the very worst hangover ever, in the history of the world. A hangover after a night of drinking and fighting in the snow. Everything hurt. I seemed to have mystery bruises, aches, and tender spots everywhere. I felt nauseous and desperately thirsty. I couldn't seem to get warm. I was pretty cranky.
needle count: 14
touch count: 10
On Thursday, I was at the office from 11:30 am till almost 7pm. Dr R. examined me and told me about the treatment side effects. I had to wait for an available chemo chair.
Then a nurse injected the port site. It hurt. A lot. I probably would have kicked her if she was in front of me, just from reflexes. She said that it won't hurt as much next time because it would be more healed. I am getting cytoxan, herceptin, and taxotere. The nurses also gave me benedryl and dexamethasone so that I wouldn't be allergic or nauseous. Mostly I slept. When I woke up, Ken and Nicole were there, which felt good. Ken took me to get pho and I slept for the rest of the night.
I slept most of Friday. I woke up so cold that I was shaking, despite laying in my zero-degree sleeping bag. I put on thermals and another blanket so that I could go back to sleep. My temperature went up to 100.4, so I called the doctor. My neighbor came by and made me tea. Ken brought me soup. I don't remember anything but trying to get comfortable.
I can't speak to anyone else's experience, but chemo, for me, felt like the very worst hangover ever, in the history of the world. A hangover after a night of drinking and fighting in the snow. Everything hurt. I seemed to have mystery bruises, aches, and tender spots everywhere. I felt nauseous and desperately thirsty. I couldn't seem to get warm. I was pretty cranky.
needle count: 14
touch count: 10
Sunday, February 12, 2012
port put in
On Friday, I had to get a port put into my body to make it easier for chemotherapy. The port is small device under the surface of my skin, about 2 inches below my right clavicle. The chemo folks will inject it during treatment. They can also take blood from it as well.
We got to the hospital before 9 am to register and answer the same thousand questions for the sixth or seventh time. I felt nervous, but I was trying to focus just on the moments and not on my thoughts or feelings. I don't really remember too much of the day.
The anesthesiologist, Dr. G. had trouble getting the IV in. He used 4 needles and left big bruises on my arm. The hospital's elevators seemed to not work too well; we seemed to have to wait forever for them to go up and down the stairs to surgery. I remember that they had to give me more anesthesia than they thought that I needed.
I woke up with tons of blankets on me in an isolation room (because I'm allergic to latex). Eventually they brought back to the room where I started. It was really great to be met by several friends. I don't remember what we talked about, but it felt so good to see people I recognized.
We left the hospital around 4pm. I slept on and off the rest of the night and most of Saturday.
My chest is sore, but much better today than it was on Friday. It aches when I move my right arm. Lumpy is tender too. It hurts when people hug me, but, otherwise, I feel better today than yesterday.
Needle count: 8
(Touch count is going to stay the same since I wasn't conscious.)
We got to the hospital before 9 am to register and answer the same thousand questions for the sixth or seventh time. I felt nervous, but I was trying to focus just on the moments and not on my thoughts or feelings. I don't really remember too much of the day.
The anesthesiologist, Dr. G. had trouble getting the IV in. He used 4 needles and left big bruises on my arm. The hospital's elevators seemed to not work too well; we seemed to have to wait forever for them to go up and down the stairs to surgery. I remember that they had to give me more anesthesia than they thought that I needed.
I woke up with tons of blankets on me in an isolation room (because I'm allergic to latex). Eventually they brought back to the room where I started. It was really great to be met by several friends. I don't remember what we talked about, but it felt so good to see people I recognized.
We left the hospital around 4pm. I slept on and off the rest of the night and most of Saturday.
My chest is sore, but much better today than it was on Friday. It aches when I move my right arm. Lumpy is tender too. It hurts when people hug me, but, otherwise, I feel better today than yesterday.
Needle count: 8
(Touch count is going to stay the same since I wasn't conscious.)
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Back to Surgery
This morning, Ken and I went to the surgeon's office for my appointment. He discussed the nature of surgery and I suggested that Dr. Rubin had indicated that we should start with chemotherapy instead of surgery.
More interns touched my breast. This is getting completely annoying.
I also got my pathology report and my MRI report.
Some highlights:
I am so relieved that there are no other lumps in lefty or in righty. They are otherwise fine!
Also, we are going to meet on Friday and have a huge slew of tests on me. Surgeon will add a port to my chest to keep the needle pricking to a minimum. So far, there have been only 4 needles.
More interns touched my breast. This is getting completely annoying.
I also got my pathology report and my MRI report.
Some highlights:
- "Pathology report revealed infiltrating ductal carcinoma left breast measuring at least 1.4 cm"
- "Two slightly suspicious lymph nodes in the left axilla"
I am so relieved that there are no other lumps in lefty or in righty. They are otherwise fine!
Also, we are going to meet on Friday and have a huge slew of tests on me. Surgeon will add a port to my chest to keep the needle pricking to a minimum. So far, there have been only 4 needles.
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