I am feeling lousy.

Nausea

Typical Day 4

It's a chicken soup kind of day.

I am experiencing all my day 3 symptoms.

Rough Day.

Chemo Brain

The chemotherapy is giving me cognitive difficulties. My cognitive problems are those related to memory and concentration. I am having trouble remember things, and I have difficulty concentrating. I feel "disoriented". I feel agitated, or "jumpy. I often can not find the right word or will substitute a word that makes no sense. (like artichoke) Within a year most people notice these difficulties greatly improve or no longer exist.

Update:

To my commenters:
I have read your comments and each one of you are uniquely different...

but put you together and you make a wonderful salad.
You are the Fruits of the Spirit to me. My special blessings.

I brought the laptop to the hospital today. It is great to check my mail and visit all my favourite websites.

The nurse was able to find a vein this morning with little effort.

My favourite nurse is on today. (Karen)

And all is good.

I am going to a group support meeting at 10:30 right here in the hospital.

I will be able to push my IV pole down with me.

(meeting on the same floor)

The day before my chemo is always the hardest day for me.

I feel so vulnerable and defenseless.

The Facts on Uterine Cancer
Cancer of the uterus is the most common cancer of the female reproductive organs. It's the fourth most common cancer among women overall, behind breast cancer, lung cancer, and colorectal cancer. Fortunately, it's also one of the most curable cancers. Each year, about 3,900 Canadian women are diagnosed with cancer of the uterus, with a survival rate of over 80%. This figure is higher if the cancer is caught early.

The antibiotics have done an amazing job of healing my leg.

We had a super fun weekend, lots of sunshine and activity.

I love this 3rd week after treatment... I almost feel like myself again.

I've got the speed bump blues....
Just when I get going.. bump-bump
I have cellulitis (skin infection) on my lower left leg. People with a weakened immune system are especially vulnerable to contracting cellulitis.
I have to rest the leg, keep it clean, and take an oral antibiotic.
Just to kick start my treatment they gave me my antibiotic through IV this morning.
The hospital did blood tests, and my neutrafils (white blood first responders) are that of
pond scum.
I AM CHEMO'D OUT!!!!!

The weekend at camp was restful and relaxing. It rained on Saturday and cold on Sunday so we spent the days reading and watching videos. It was just what I needed.

I feel great.

Happy Long Weekend

the Allen's have gone camping

See you Monday

My Big Fat Toe

I did not get any resolution at the Cancer Centre yesterday.... a long and frustrating story!

I went in to see my GP this morning. Doc Webster moved to Ottawa to semi-retire after spending most of his career in Labrador City, Newfoundland.

He is very much your small town doctor preferring to do the tasks that most doctors refer to specialist or get their nurse to preform.

He sliced my nail edge off totally (1/4 of the nail horizontally) and treated the matrix area with phenol to permanently stop the re-growth.

A dressing change tomorrow.. then just a bandage.. a prescription for antibiotics and I am as good as new.

I have a sore toe!

It looks like the nail may be ingrown.

When people start chemotherapy, they are often surprised by the effects chemotherapy drugs can have on their nails and toenails. My nails have become brittle, dry, discolored, develop lines and ridges, and may even fall off. This is true for both fingernails and toenails.
Nail damage is a common side of chemotherapy drugs.

Infections are a complication of ingrown toenails. The area surrounding the toes is a warm moist environment in which germs thrive. Infections are especially concerning for people with medical conditions that increase their risk for infection including those receiving chemotherapy. Infections can lead to abscesses that require surgery. If untreated, infections can spread to the rest of the body. Anyone with a suspected infection should contact his or her doctor immediately.

I'm off to the doctors... geeshhhhhh

more later

Chemo Roller Coaster Ride

Well, I don't feel like that funky chicken anymore. The treatments are so predictable.

On the third day after the drugs the symptoms hit. Thankfully the hard part only last 3-5 days and then I only cope with the fatigue.

Only two more treatments and then I'm off this ride!!!!

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out.

(Matthew 12:20)

Everything went good yesterday.

The oncology nurse was able to find a vein easily and I was relieved again to hear her say that she agreed the PICC line should not be put back in.
My blood levels were all within the normal range, some are getting near the bottom normal.

They reduced the Taxol (chemo drug) yesterday by 20%. The doctor felt the peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling of the hands and feet) had moved to my wrist (causing sharp pinging pain) and my ankles (causing dropped foot). He reassured for me that the lower dose would not compromise the success of my treatment plan.

After my treatment I went to a workshop put on by the Cancer Society. The program is called Look Good Feel Better.

Look Good…Feel Better is a free, non-medical, brand-neutral, national public service program created to help individuals with cancer look good, improve their self-esteem, and manage their treatment and recovery with greater confidence.

Cosmeticians volunteer to come in and show us how to apply makeup. There was also a woman from a salon to demonstrate techniques of headcoverings. There were 11 gals and we had lots of fun.

We were given a box of cosmetics all suitable for the specific needs of our skin to take home.

Chemo tomorrow at 8:00am.

It was one of those days, ice cream with a cherry on top.

I am feeling so well.

I give Him all the praise.

The Lord looks after me like a shepherd looks after his sheep.

That's why I live free from lack.

Psalm 23:1

Good News

I just spoke to my primary oncology nurse. I left a message for her about the PICC line being removed at the hospital last Sunday due to infection.

She said that we are not going to put a new line in. She said that she will not put me through that again, and felt that I probably just wasn't a good candidate for the line. (it was never comfortable)

They will find a vein for the IV.

I am so happy. I never liked the idea of the central line and I was very uncomfortable with it physically and emotionally.

I feel great!

I had a terrific weekend. It was so nice to be able to go to church on Sunday.

I am looking forward to a fun-filled week full of family and friends.

My next treatment is Friday.... but until then... yahooooo