Hospital Stay Day 1 of 7

Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep praying.
Romans 12:12

Thanksgiving was met with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and great pain. Cancer at times is very painful. Vomiting and diarrhea at the same time should be an Olympic event. My Oncologist asked me to stop taking Longsurf chemo pills, I complied, and nothing changed. Eventually, I was admitted to the hospital to have my Ileostomy surgery and over the next few writings, I will share those seven days of experiences with you.

I was admitted directly to room day one and did not have to go through the emergency room to be admitted. I had no set time to be there, I just answered a phone call and told my room awaits. Upon entering the hospital, I took the elevators to the oncology floor and was met by staff who directed me to my room.

Surprisingly, the bed was not too uncomfortable. My room had a dresser, bathroom with shower, and was clean. I was first greeted by a young Medical Assistant who took my vitals and was told that my daytime nurse would be with me shortly.

Sure enough, my day nurse arrived. She did a head-to-toe examination including asking me to squeeze her hand, press, and pull my feet against her hand. She read through my history, asked about each of my medications, and asked personal questions like, do you feel safe at home. She informed me today I would remain on a liquid diet followed by only allowing me ice chips in the evening before tomorrow’s surgery. I was informed that I would be having a CT next.

Shortly after the nurse left, I was greeted by an aid with a wheelchair. Away we went, my in my hospital gown, not covering much as we went. We arrived at the room where my CT would take place. The almost floor-to-wall donut with a bed that slid in and out the donut hole. By now I am used to the routine. Usually, I am to drink a super-sized cup of lemon or fruit-flavored drink 3o minutes before the scan. Not today. I lay on the table and they ask me to raise my hands above my head and they connect an IV to my existing access in my elbow.

I was informed they will talk to me through speakers in the donut and there is a camera there also where they can see me. The tech disappears into a room next to where I lay. They scan me once looking for any metal objects in my clothing and then the scan begins. The speaker tells me to take a deep breath and hold it. I comply as my bed moves through the donut. Next, the speaker states that the contrast has started through my IV. What an odd sensation. You feel the warmth from within your body core that slowly begins at your chest and works down to your groin area. The voice interrupts and asks you again to take a deep breath and hold it. My bed again travels through the donut.

Done. They remove the IV and the aid appears with the wheelchair and off we go to find my room.

Back in my room lunch is delivered consisting of beef broth and orange-flavored jello. This was the first food that stayed on my stomach in five days. It tasted wonderful.

The nurse came back after lunch with a surprise. My doctor had ordered blood thinner for me to prevent clots. This medication was delivered via shot into my stomach. Ouch.

Dinner came at five and again, beef broth and orange jello. Tasted just as good as lunch. I munched on ice chips until I fell asleep for the night. I was awakened every six hours for vitals and blood work. The IV pump just seemed extra loud this evening aiding in a restless sleep.

Get up! Dress up! Show up!

Treatment Niner

Never stop praying.
1 Thesssalonians 5:17

Dear diary, chemo is hard, and I understand why fellow patients refer to this as a battle. We are battle-worn. I am on the same schedule with several fellow patients. I have noticed our steps are measured; our heads hang a little lower. Our hairlines might be receding, but we still smile and say hello to each other, we cannot help ourselves, we find ourselves united in this battle we did not ask for.

Treatment day went as expected, long hours in the Cancer Institute rewarded with a little slower walk to the car. The chemo fog is stronger this round. I always felt a little recovered the day before treatment, but not this time. The fatigue and chemo fog hung in there this time

My hair continues to thin but amazingly all has not fallen to the ground. Dinners are smaller. From treatment to treatment different foods sound good. I have been bouncing between soups and mashed potatoes. The medical team is like none other, they encourage you to eat and drink as much as you can. They want you to gain weight. I continue to add flavoring to water to mask the metallic taste in my mouth. The more water you drink through the day the quicker you flush out the chemo is what they have been telling me. I find myself craving chocolate chip cookies.

Hands are numb, especially the fingers, but awaken when they come near cold refrigerator items. I have resorted to wearing oven mitts when heading to the refrigerator. My feet also are very cold sensitive, and I often wear many layers of socks to keep them warm. They also are numb and tingly when walking across the floor.

As the week progresses, so do the symptoms of fatigue and nausea. The nausea is controlled best by taking Zofran during the day and Phenergan at night. It never leaves you. The medical team tells me the only way to fight fatigue is to keep on exercising. Walks around the block have turned into strolls into shuffles.

Three more treatments to go. No doubt I can get through these last few treatments, but I do know these last ones will be a battle. I take comfort that I will soon see my fellow comrades, but also makes me sad seeing full parking lots and waiting rooms all in this fight together. All with a ready smile and hope in their hearts and their words.

A New Beginning No. 8

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
Psalms 119:105

Treatment days are becoming routine. Chemo begins, chemo haze flows from my head to toe. Nausea arrives earlier and earlier. I always take food with me to treatment today, but today I only ate bites of a sandwich followed by sips of room temperature ginger ale. My body cannot tolerate cold liquids.

Arrived home late afternoon. I sipped on broth, but the urge to be sick overruled any little hunger I felt. I was in bed for the night long before the sun would go down.

Woke the next morning, nausea subsided, and I was starting to get back into my routine of normal food intakes and even managed to stroll around the neighborhood late afternoon. Again, early to bed with my best friend Phenergan.

This pattern continued for the next five days, each day I would eat a little more and go to bed a little later. By day five I was feeling a little bit more normal. The fatigue and weakness continue to hang in there, but I continue to fight it. Taking brief naps helps.

Over and over my medical team tells me to keep eating foods that taste good to me and keep exercising, keep moving. Both are difficult treatment weeks and takes courage and determination to get up, dress up, and show up as I do every day.

Next week is the payoff, my next CT scan has been scheduled to see how the chemo has been doing.

Strivarga, the results are in

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort.
2 Corinthians 1:3

Strivarga is no worse than all the other chemo I have been given. I had to follow the rules closely or I paid the piper. I had to take Ondansetron 30 minutes before breakfast. Breakfast for me was a small bowl of cereal and orange juice. Then I took the four pills of Strivarga.

The same for dinner, 30 minutes before eating, I would take Ondansetron. Again, dinner was a small portion of what I was having.

My food portion sizes have dramatically changed. I attribute it to cancer growth. A cup of rice cereal in the morning, Boost for lunch, cheese and crackers for an afternoon snack, and dinner would fit on a coffee saucer. Always ice cream for dessert. Drank lots of Gatorade and water daily. Pedialyte on days I visited the porcelain.

My hand and foot neuropathy remained about the same these past two months. I had no cold sensitivity but kept gloves by the refrigerator in case it did announce itself.

If I ate too large of a portion of a meal, I would visit the porcelain bowl. In addition, I would experience great pain for two to three days after that was controlled with Oxycontin.

There were some foods that would have the same effect without warning if I overate.

Fevers would come and go throughout the two months. No rhyme or reason. Tylenol remedied.

Weight loss was of concern for the medical team. I was dropping two pounds a week at a time I need to put on weight. I have lost 70 pounds since this all began when I was carrying about 20 pounds of extra weight. My medical team wants to see bones on an x-ray, not when I take my shirt off.

For the past three years on average, I have received a CT scan every two months. The routine is unchanged. About two days before the scan you begin to think about it and what the results could be. Maybe you feel a lump or a little new pain that was not there before. Anxiety increases. The scan goes smoothly. Waiting for the results the following day. Anxiety increases.

This scan was no different. Results. Nodules in the colon have decreased in size. Nodules in the liver and lungs have increased in number and size.

Goodbye Strivarga, hello second clinical trial. Direct tumor injections with a side of immunotherapy.

Get up! Dress up! Show up!

Maple Syrup and Chemo Pills

When the snow settles at the first of the year, my relative’s 100 maple trees begin producing sap. The sap flows through blue tubing tapped individually-tapped trees. The flap flows to the Sugar Shack where it is processed and bottled as maple syrup.

The sap flows for four to six weeks. Each tree can produce about 10 gallons of sap. Typically, about 40 gallons are required to produce one gallon of maple syrup.

Isaiah 40:31

but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.

CT results came in. Cancer continues to grow and spread. Phase One Trail is done.

Next up, Strivarga, a chemo pill to be taken daily for three weeks, then a week break, before starting the next cycle. I started with 2 tablets for one week, then 3 tablets for one week, ending with 4 tablets for one week. Once I reach 4 tablets , I will take that amount as long as I remain on this medication. Again, CT determines the length of time I take this medication. If the cancer is not stable or shows growth, I will be instructed to stop the medication.

Strivarga is to extend my life by 6-8 weeks. I will take it.

Side effects are controllable by medications. Zofran 30 minutes prior to taking Strivarga helps with nausea and vomiting. Zofran 8 hours later continues some protection. Fatigue has been manageable.

Related more to the cancer growth, I depend more on liquid nutritional drinks, Gatorade, Pedialyte, and water. I can only eat small portions of soft solid foods.

Get Up! Dress Up! Show Up!

Hope

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
Psalm 130:5

The expression on his face when he walked in the door confirmed what I had felt for the last couple of weeks. The knots in my belly had become more prominent, harder, and more painful. The trial did not work. Life expectancy is 6 to 12 months I was told.

Options, as I take a step closer to hospice are limited, but there still are options. I will begin taking a pill in the next couple of weeks designed to extend my life by 6 to 8 weeks. There are other trials coming out on the first of the year. My medical team will pre-screen me for those. Fingers crossed.

Get up! Dress Up! Show Up!

Phase One Trial

I wish Hospital ceilings were more interesting. Photo by Enrique Hoyos on Pexels.com

It has been a moment since I have written. Disruptions are common for cancer patients. Mine have included unscheduled hospitalizations, as well as emergency room visits, exciting rides in ambulances, Intensive Care Unit Stays, and just plain not feeling well. Pain, Fatigue, and nausea rule our days.

However, today I will share with you my Phase One Trial experiences. I am one of 200 patients nationwide selected to participate. I figured if the lab mice can survive so can I?

The trial involves injecting a genetically altered virus directly into the cancer clumps. This is to start an immunological response that starts destroying cancer cells. I received four injections over nine weeks.

To date, I do not know if this has been successful.

Phase One Trial

Week 1

Visit 1: Physician consultation

The Study is reviewed in depth and by the time you complete the paperwork you are confident you just signed a mortgage agreement.

Visit 2: CT scan of Abdomen and Chest

Simple enough, it is the 06:30 arrival time that takes the fun out of it.

Week 2

Visit 1: CT Guided Biopsy

I was brought to the Surgical Recovery Unit where IV was started, blood was drawn (11 tubes), vitals were taken, urine was collected and saliva samples were taken.

After being rolled back to the CT room I was sedated. I was thinking it could have taken no longer than five minutes to complete the procedure. Later I learned I was back in CT for almost an hour. Another well-earned nap.

Visit 2: Lab – Blood drawn, vitals taken, urine, saliva samples

Visit 3: Lab – Blood drawn, vitals taken, urine, saliva samples

Note: For three evenings I had a fever of up to 102 degrees. I had my usual nausea with occasional vomiting. Hard to tell if that was associated with the infusion. My appetite was down but kept fluids like Pedialyte and Gataraide going. I was introduced to whey powder shakes mixed with a Boost nutrition supplement. This helped to introduce some protein into my diet.

Week 3

Visit 1: CT Guided injection

Back to the Surgical Recovery Unit for IV, blood, urine, and saliva samples and constant monitoring of vitals.

Visit 2: Lab – Blood drawn, vitals taken, urine, saliva samples

Note: I experienced a fever one night. Tylenol knocked it out.

Week 5

Visit 1: CT Guided injection

Dejavu or Ground Hogs day, not sure. The same process begins with the Surgical Recovery Unit.

Visit 2: Lab – Blood drawn, vitals taken, urine, saliva samples

Visit 3: Lab – Blood drawn, vitals taken, urine, saliva samples

Note: No fever this round. I kept fluids going and still experienced fatigue and nausea.

Week 7

CT Guided injection

Yea, last injection.

Note: No fever this round. I kept fluids going and still experienced fatigue and nausea.

Week 8

CT of the Abdomen and Chest

Week 9

Physician consultation, decision to continue Phase One Trial based on CT results. If the cancer is stable or reduced we will continue, otherwise, we need to look for other options.

Get up! Dress up! Show up!

Set Back

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,

Psalms 103:3-4

CT scan results, the cancer is growing and spreading.

I am eligible for a Phase One Study involving injecting attenuated smallpox directly into cancer. I signed up. I arrived before sunlight at the hospital. I was checked in and the screening process commenced. The paperwork was reviewed and signed. Mortgage size paperwork. Blood was drawn. Many large tubes of blood were drawn.

CT scan was performed. The results helped the doctor determine what cancer was best to inject. A CT biopsy was performed. I passed. I was entered into the study. I was scheduled for my CT-guided smallpox infusion.

Two days prior to that appointment I developed great pain in my abdomen. Scale 9 out of 10 pain. Late afternoon I arrived at the emergency department. The pain was unrelenting. Triage, registration, hurry up and wait, emergency department registration. The sun went down, and I was wheelchaired into an awaiting bed in the emergency department.

CT scan. Results, appendicitis, enteritis, or inflammation of the small intestine. I was admitted to the hospital.

Morphine was administered on a regular schedule. Three days later I was switched from morphine to Dilaudid. Nasogastric (NG) Tube was placed.

I was under the care of three doctors. A surgeon, infectious disease, and hospitalist.

Surgeon, the appendix cannot be removed for cancer growth. Too much of the small intestine was having to be removed.

Infectious disease, we will treat with antibiotics.

Hospitalist, this will take time. Sit up often, go for walks often, and work slowly on a liquid diet.

Pain and vomiting were the norms. My stomach was distended I thought it was going to pop.

Day seven. NG tube removed. I was switched from broth and juice to broth, juice, and Jell-O. Vomiting continued. Treated with medication and slowly food stayed down. Stomach swelling was decreasing. I was walking three times a day.

Day ten, the first day of solid foods since I entered the hospital. Soft, very soft solid foods. Mash potatoes kind of soft food. No pain medication is required. I am still taking nausea medication before bedtime.

Day thirteen, CT scan results, infection is gone. Praise the Lord. I am going home today off antibiotic treatment and God willing, pick up where I left off with the Phase One Trial.

Get up! Dress up! Show up!

Number 12

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Wow, number 12 lived up to all the hype. It has been 24 weeks of cocktail chemo IV’s. The last I walked away fatigued. Over the next few days, the steroid high was more of a steroid low. By the weekend it was a struggle to be vertical. My body much preferred the horizontal view. Nausea made itself known, but meds kept it controlled.

Once I walked around in sadness and defeat

Not knowing where any of life’s roads

Would meet.

Then I met Him at the foot of the cross

Knew then life could never be lost.

For in Him I found healing love.

Love so precious and free

He gave and gives to us all.

So whatever the road you travel

Just yield to Him and He will unravel

All the hurts in your life.

He will heal you, cleanse you

Make you whole.

And give to you His healing love.
Beverly laurel Brown

Blood counts remain low as well as iron levels. No wonder my energy levels are low.

They will begin iron infusions weekly for five weeks.

CT scan is next up on the to-do list.

There is still a contrast shortage which is do end soon. I am offered lemonade or fruit-flavored chaulk appearing liquid. I choose fruit flavored. The goal is to get it down without it coming back up. My veins prove more difficult as time goes on to start an IV. Accomplished, I enter the scan room and raise my hands above my head where my IV is hooked up to this giant white donut of a machine. Today I am treated to be covered with a warm blanket as the warm contrast finds its way through my body. Done. Back out into the cold world.

I would say the time following the CT and waiting to hear the results is the most challenging time for both patient, caregivers, and family. Is this the scan that says we have done everything we could and wheel you off to hospice? It is helpful during the wait to focus on the moment. Count your blessings. Trust in God.

Results, cancer is stable. I will continue some form of chemo. There may be a drug trial in the near future.

Get up! Dress up! Show up!

Cycle Eleven and Pain

I am suffering and in pain. Rescue me, O God, by your saving power.
Psalms 69:29

The steroid high began to level off Friday three days after chemo.

I did take nausea medicine both day and night Wednesday through Friday. It helped.

Saturday the fatigue came on and an overall feeling of malaise. Worsened Sunday and on Monday relief gradually came.

Wednesday, a little more energy returned.

Nausea is more intense this round as well as cold sensitivity to both my hands and feet.

Often,

Life’s greatest pleasure

—is getting the pain to stop
Kurt Philip Behm

Abdominal pain has increased. The pain moves around day to day from my right back side to the front and then to my left back side. I think this is diet related. I do not stick to a strict soft food diet and I tend to have larger portions on occasion.

On those occasions, I overeat I notice bowel movements are liquid for a day or two, and thereafter the pain slowly subsides. The pain does not entirely go away these days even when my bowel movements go back to a normal applesauce consistency.

Nobody told me cancer is painful. It can be very painful.

Get up! Dress up! Show up!

Scan process and Results

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9

The waiting rooms

Do not eat four hours prior to your scheduled scan the sheet read. Exception, water. Those undergoing regular chemo treatment understand the importance of keeping something on the stomach to calm nausea. Four hours can seem like an eternity.

My scans take place in a hospital setting. Their registration process could give the Walt Disney World theme park a run for its money. Ever stand in line for one of their amusement rides? One line leads to another area and yet another line leads to another area and so on.

Same with the scanning process. Sometimes you wait in your car until called into the registration area where you are signed in. Once signed in you wait again in the hospital registration area for your name to be called. Hospital registration is conducted. Expect to sign a lot of electronic forms making you aware of HIPAA, the hospital is not responsible for your personal property, you are responsible for your bill and finally, you consent to treatment today. Go take a seat. You will be called back to the Scanning waiting room.

Scanning waiting area. You hand that receptionist the paperwork the hospital registration handed you. Go take a seat. You will be called back to the next Scanning waiting room.

Getting down to business

Second scanning waiting area. This is where it gets interesting. Did your physician order a scan with contrast? You can thank them later. You will be guided into a room with phlebotomy chairs. Take a seat. A CT scanning employee will insert a small IV into your arm. This is where the contrast will flow. You also get the added pleasure of drinking a flavored oral contrast that comes in a big gas station type soda cup. Then the wait comes, 45 minutes.

The actual scan. On to the bed with the big donut hole at one end. I have learned to dress for functionality, not fashion. Clothing with no zippers and no metal is ideal. That way you are not undressing on a cold hard flat surface.

Arms above your head, we will let you know when the contrast will be injected. Hold your breath. Breathe. Hold your breath. Breathe. Contrast has started. Oh, for you cold natured people, the warmth that comes over your body starting from the top and slowly cascading down feels quite nice.

And then it is over. You leave the hospital.

The results

Beep goes your phone app later that day or first thing the next morning. You have new test results for the phone banner displays. Do I read them or wait until I hear the results at the next doctor’s visit, which can be up to a week away? I am going to read them. The doctor will have his say.

Cancer, stable.

The stress that has been building for a week now prior to this procedure leaves me for a few moments. I might even catch a tear in the moment. Until the next scan, continue the chemo treatments.

Get up! Dress up! Show up!

Number 8 It is Chemo Day

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

Vitals

I have maintained my weight since my last visit. Not sure if that is a good thing or not for I will definitely lose weight over the next few days.

Blood pressure was normal during this visit. It stays consistent though visit to visit.

Medications that are given by IV before chemo

The dreaded Leucovorin calcium that immediately when injected into your port leaves a very bad taste in your mouth and nostrils. Today’s nurse, unlike my last visit, would not inject this medication along with the saline drip bag. Maybe next time. It sure did help with the taste and smell.

Treats

I raided the small kitchen area again before they started my chemo. Nothing like fruit juices, applesauce, and crackers to get the five-hour visit. I also packed my lunch pale with a sandwich.

I did have to let the refrigerated products set out to gain room temperature before I partake. Cold sensitivity to touch and swallowing gradually increase treatment to treatment.

Today’s side-effects

Increased nausea. I did vomit in the week to come a couple of times. I have not had that occur prior to treatment eight.

Increased neuropathy of hands and feet, avoid touching or drinking anything cold.

Continue to use gloves for the refrigerator

Increased fatigue.

Bedtime

Steroids high stay with you for three days. You feel energetic and have difficulty falling to sleep. During this round of chemo the steroid high only lasted two days and crash I did on the third day.

Compazine counters the steroids and I take this medication before going to bed. You sleep well but do have medicine head the following morning.

Fatigue and constant daytime nausea could not be ignored this round. I decided to take the nausea medication provided to me, Ondansetron. It helped. I have two forms of medication. One is a dissolvable pill and the other is a pill form that you have to swallow. I prefer the dissolvable pill when the nausea is at its worse.

Your appetite may be reduced when you come home, but generally comes back the next day.

I usually do not walk my indoor mile on chemo day, I do the following day when I feel more stable on my legs.

Coming up next

CT scan is on my calendar next.

During this round, I experienced more pain throughout my abdomen and could easily palpate or feel new bumps in my belly. That was concerning and weighed heavily on my mind.

I brought it to the attention of my medical team, and they felt the same bumps as I did. But the bumps and pain would migrate through my abdomen starting on the right side for a couple of days and then moving to the left side. Some days it was emanating from the center of my abdomen.

It was suggested that I double my stool softener and start taking gas relief products. This did over a few days relieve the symptoms. I also started eating less at meals but having small snacks in-between. This also helped.

I was warned from the beginning that cancer will slow down my digestive tract and to stay on a soft food diet. Eat small portion sizes. Snack between meals. Keep an eye on your weight.

This brings me to another point that I have made in past writings. Cancer is always on your mind. Over time you can push it down and out of your mind. But with every new bump you feel or new pain you feel your mind becomes your enemy.

I find it very difficult around scan times and the gap between the scan and meeting with the doctor sometimes a week later for their interpretation of the results. Those can be long days.

I do not know if these fears ever go away. I do not know if cancer ever leaves your mind. I do know that having a strong belief system in place is the only way you get comfort that you can live day to day with this terrible disease. Do not discount the power of prayer.

Seek professional help when it becomes overwhelming. I did when I was initially diagnosed. I was given the exercise of writing down three positive events that happened each day. It helped me focus on anything but cancer.

I feel our caregivers have it the hardest. They need support too spiritually, and other family and friends they can talk to. They are just as stressed as we are.

Get up! Dress up! Show up!

Chemo Cycle Seven

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9

Vitals

My weight varies at least pounds each visit typically after came home I drop and by the time of my next visit I’ve gained those five pounds back plus additional pounds.

I have found that it is better to keep on weight because of my experience with hospitalizations because you can lose a lot of weight during your hospital stay. I have lost as much as 15 pounds and that is hard to put back on that weight upon discharge from the hospital.

My blood pressure remains low but still within parameters and this is due to the medications and chemo. They have in the past given me blood pressure medication to elevate my blood pressure, but I have not needed that in a long time.

Medications that are given by IV before chemo

Leucovorin calcium has been given to me by injection directly into my port for almost two years now. You’ll recognize the larger syringe they use and the medicine has a milky white look to it and it is thick.

When they inject it directly into your port immediately you get this awful taste in your mouth and smell in your nose. Other patients describe it as a burning rubber smell.

My nurse today offered for the first time to inject this medication into the saline drip bag where it was diluted. I received the same amount of medication but experienced none of those side effects of the taste in my mouth and the smell in my nose. These effects linger for many hours and they made me feel nauseated.

Treats

The kitchen provides juices and snacks; I have taken to help myself. Take advantage of the kitchen snacks they offer various types of juice drinks soda products and other snacks like pudding and crackers and peanut butter.

They also offer me the Boost drink, I received six of these containers once a month And I drink these products for the three days following the chemo visits.

Today’s side-effects

Increased nausea

Increased neuropathy of hands and feet, avoid touching or drinking anything

I must use gloves for the refrigerator

Increased fatigue

Bedtime

Steroids high stay with you for three days. You feel energetic and have difficulty falling to sleep.

Copazine counters the steroids and I take this medication before going to bed. You sleep well but do have medicine head the following morning.

Your appetite may be reduced when you come home, but generally comes back the next day.

I usually do not walk my indoor mile on chemo day, I do the following day when I feel more stable on my legs.

Test Results

Be careful interrupting the test results that come through on your phone apps.

My blood counts are scary low to my interpretation, but the medical team assures me they are not life-threatening and many other patients are much lower.

The CEA test results look like a roller coaster, this test is to show the cancer activity. High numbers are possibly not what you want to see.

I have been assured that more thought is given to the CT scan.

Just prior to Chemo dose 8

Abdomen pain is felt first in the center, then a few days later on the left, and ending on the right. This pain is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Bumps can be felt in my stomach.

Get Up! Dress Up! Show Up!