Round 2

Well, 8 radiation treatments and two chemo infusions and here I am.  It has been an interesting week.

Starting on Friday I had mild nausea which  became progressively more bothersome.  Never to the point of vomiting but smells and tastes and even some pictures of food upset my stomach.  I researched – found out that the chemo drugs I am taking this time are much more likely to cause these problems.  I also found out that I may have been inadvertently medicating myself for nausea   . . .  last winter I began having severe panic attacks.  I was prescribed Lorazepam with instructions to use 1/2 milligram as needed for attack.  (An aside – 30 years ago I had my first panic attacks and was diagnosed with proctitis at the same time – this time I was diagnosed with panic attacks and ulcerative colitis.  Autoimmune.  “Should have been on meds all these years”- despite not having ANY symptoms.   Long story short – no colitis symptoms since Sept. and anxiety much improved – I believe this had more to do with the fact that I was dosed with an antibiotic in December which according to 23andme I metabolize differently from most of the population and I believe it completely destroyed any “balance” in my digestive bacteria.)   Anyway – I realized I had not used Lorazepam on Thursday and Friday.   Hmmm.  Checked drugs used for nausea during chemotherapy and Lorazepam was right up there.  Once I again started to use a small dose in the morning before confronting those huge, clanking machines –  my nausea also started to subside.  Gross- but fact of life is that constipation is also a problem.  You will notice all the little ads on all the bottles warning about how much and which ones and how often.  Turns out that the darn chemo drugs also slow the motility of your intestines CAUSING this problem even if you’re eating all the bran and roughage in the world.  So – once more a little help is necessary – Milk of Magnesia , teas, and/or Sennekot will now be part of my arsenal as well.  Happy day – I enjoyed a substantial, healthful breakfast before chemo today and  a wonderful, flavorful dinner tonight.  Sigh!  Right now I feel terrific ….

I will have a pulmonary function test on Friday to ascertain if I am able to handle surgery.  Then, the plan goes from there.

Todays chemo was three hours long – I am receiving anti emetics and steroids as well as Benadryl to counteract any allergic responses and to hopefully  help with nausea.  Using a port is causing this to be so much simpler and less uncomfortable than before – numb, poke, draw blood for tests, attach IV bags, begin therapy.  Done and done.  My new I Pad got me through waiting for the radiologist’s appointment as well as the three hours of chemo – THANKS YOU THREE KIDS!!!!!!!

So . . . so much to be thankful for.  Feeling good.  A wonderful therapy dog who visits us on Wednesdays.  Wonderful meals cooked by wonderful people. A kind and thoughtful husband who is always trying to help. An Oregon yeti footprint to stamp out SFC.  The moose who’s turned into a lap cat.  Kids who surprised me to tears and continue to pop in and out.  Wonderful books on healing.  The continued prayers and wishes  of so many people who mean so much to me from every part of my life.   At this moment I really do feel great.  Everything you have done has helped me feel positive.  Thank you for helping me heal.