Thursday, February 4, 2010
The Eyes have it!
My eyes look even more horrifying today than yesterday. At 7:30 a.m. I left a message at my Ophthalmologist hoping to get an appointment ASAP. Fortunately, the receptionist called be back as soon as the office opened and I was in for 11:00 a.m. Whew! It was some kind of allergic reaction on the outside of my eyes. No infection was IN my eyes. The treatment? $60 (my co-pay) eye cream in a tube half the size of my little finger! Picture this – June walking into CVS in huge sunglasses and a mask! People got out of my way and I got right to the counter. The prescription was ready at 2:00 p.m. I put it on my eyes and by evening my eyes were already better. Miracle cream, really!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Where is it?
As soon as I awoke today I knew I was headed for a mental meltdown. I had to be at the doctors at 8:00 a.m. for blood work but my eyes were so swollen it looked like I had been on a 3-day crying jag. And, trust me, if I have to LOOK like I’ve been on a 3-day crying jag I better have HAD that 3 days of crying!! My blood work is still very low and I’m scheduled for 2 units of platelets (now totaling 9) in the afternoon. Today is day 20 of Round 3 of Chemo. The last two Rounds I recovered before the 19th day! WHERE IS IT?? My recovery is one day late!
I had a few hours before heading over for the transfusions so I decided to write to my Leukemia Research Nurse at MD Anderson, Jennie Feliu, about my doubts and fears. She wrote me the most thoughtful and informative response.
Hi Ms. Wolfe - Please don’t feel discouraged. Everything you are experiencing is normal for this treatment. I realize you had a much easier time of it the previous course, but every course can be different. Although, I’m sure it doesn’t feel like it I still think you are doing well. There are many patients who are in the hospital with infections every cycle. Mouth sores are common (try swishing with baking soda and salt), needing transfusions are common, and counts taking longer to recover are common. I would anticipate it taking a few more weeks to recover and would not be alarmed by that. Some patients do not recover for 6-7 weeks. I will need to see the counts next week and discuss with Dr. Estrov then if he wants you to return on the 15th or delay your return until counts recover more. They need to be higher to give the chemotherapy and I don’t want you to make a wasted trip.
I realize my words may not be helping your discouragement, but please hear me when I say everything you are experiencing and feeling is normal. There is nothing in the below information that concerns me, unfortunately it is all part of the deal with chemo. I also realize that it is much easier for me to say all of this to you, as I am not the one going through it.
Hang in there!! The sun will come out again. Jennie
Oh please help me to heed her words!
Getting my 2 units of platelets this afternoon was very unpleasant. I cried the entire time (have no idea why) and thought that I was having a reaction to the second unit (hard to breathe, tingly, etc.). My nurse felt I was having an anxiety attack and encouraged me to get the Xanax prescription filled that I’ve had for two weeks and USE it!
As Sandy pulled into my driveway to drop me off, a beautiful yellow and white flower bouquet was on my door step. It was from my cousin Nancy – who was reminding me how good I am at making lemonade out of lemons! The day ended well!
I had a few hours before heading over for the transfusions so I decided to write to my Leukemia Research Nurse at MD Anderson, Jennie Feliu, about my doubts and fears. She wrote me the most thoughtful and informative response.
Hi Ms. Wolfe - Please don’t feel discouraged. Everything you are experiencing is normal for this treatment. I realize you had a much easier time of it the previous course, but every course can be different. Although, I’m sure it doesn’t feel like it I still think you are doing well. There are many patients who are in the hospital with infections every cycle. Mouth sores are common (try swishing with baking soda and salt), needing transfusions are common, and counts taking longer to recover are common. I would anticipate it taking a few more weeks to recover and would not be alarmed by that. Some patients do not recover for 6-7 weeks. I will need to see the counts next week and discuss with Dr. Estrov then if he wants you to return on the 15th or delay your return until counts recover more. They need to be higher to give the chemotherapy and I don’t want you to make a wasted trip.
I realize my words may not be helping your discouragement, but please hear me when I say everything you are experiencing and feeling is normal. There is nothing in the below information that concerns me, unfortunately it is all part of the deal with chemo. I also realize that it is much easier for me to say all of this to you, as I am not the one going through it.
Hang in there!! The sun will come out again. Jennie
Oh please help me to heed her words!
Getting my 2 units of platelets this afternoon was very unpleasant. I cried the entire time (have no idea why) and thought that I was having a reaction to the second unit (hard to breathe, tingly, etc.). My nurse felt I was having an anxiety attack and encouraged me to get the Xanax prescription filled that I’ve had for two weeks and USE it!
As Sandy pulled into my driveway to drop me off, a beautiful yellow and white flower bouquet was on my door step. It was from my cousin Nancy – who was reminding me how good I am at making lemonade out of lemons! The day ended well!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Still Stuck on Low
Today my blood work had a small up tick. Unfortunately they related it to the platelets that I had received late yesterday. No transfusions today but I’m scheduled to return on Wednesday. I am covered with peticci (those red spots that indicate low platelets) and I have the worst sore on my tongue. I struggle to swallow let alone eat. My goal each Round is to get back to 125 lbs. In order to do that I have to eat lots. The tongue sore limits my eating and I need to drink all my liquids with straws.
The day ended well as I attended Book Club for the first time in 3 months. It was great to do something “normal” and enjoy it. Seeing all my friends was uplifting.
The day ended well as I attended Book Club for the first time in 3 months. It was great to do something “normal” and enjoy it. Seeing all my friends was uplifting.
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