Stephanie did get me out of the infusion center by 2 pm. I was happy to note that it only took 4 1/2 hours for three drug infusions. I only have one more of those to go with two drugs. The rest will all be one. The Taxol only took 30 minutes and the magnesium was 1 hour (she only gave me half the dose). The Herceptin took one hour so when I go on the every three weeks with program, I should be out of there in 2 1/2-3 hours. That’s great.
I always feel better after the infusion. Part of that is the hydration with saline they give me. I seem to tolerate the administration of the drugs pretty well. The nadir comes 3-4 days later.
Also good news is my white blood cell count is normal and I don’t have to go in three days a week for injections. I have been scheduled for a hydration infusion on Friday. Those always make me feel better. In essence, I’ve gone from four days a week at the cancer center to two days a week: one for Taxol and one for hydration. That’s a relief!
Another bit of good news was Dr. Velez suggested a 120 day prescription of Imodium AD would run around $30 with GoodRx but apparently I have great insurance and it only cost me $5.49 for 120 days script. I was more than pleasantly surprised.
Nancy and Michel are coming over and bringing Thai. I can’t wait to see them. I love their company and truthfully, I need the distraction from all my routine. The Thai doesn’t hurt either. I don’t eat anything too spicy these days because of previously mentioned issues, but spicy food is the only type that has any real taste for me.
Hope the update of the update helps understand what’s going on. Stay tuned!
The Xanax last night did the trick. I slept the entire night through and the alarm waked me at 6 am. I was a little ditzy when I first got up but the second cup of coffee did the trick. I arrived at the cancer center just a little after 9 am for a 9:30 appointment and they actually took me back early.
Stephanie is my nurse again today. She’s the one with great axenic technique. Sadly, I had to ask her name because I’ve had a different nurse four of the five times. I just start calling them senior lapses. She had no sooner gotten with a saline drip that Dr. Velez’ nurse Danielle appeared and asked about my well being. I told her it had been a rough few days. I also mentioned the telephone call from nuclear medicine during the week and asked about the echocardiogram. I showed her my log of medication/diarrhea.
Stephanie had no sooner gotten the port flushed and blood drawn when Dr. Velez stopped by. He said when the echocardiogram lab gets backed up, they often go through nuclear medicine and can get the same readings they need – hence the mystery of nuclear medicine vs. echocardiogram was solved. I suspect they also charge more in nuclear medicine.
Danielle and Dr. Velez both suggested a midweek hydration infusion and a cancellation of the Filgrastim injections. Apparently, they are satisfied with my white blood cell count (how I don’t know since it was low last check) but I’ll go with it. Dr. Velez also put in a prescription for Imodium AD. He also provided a printed coupon with GoodRx that supposedly gives me a good discount. However, my insurance seems to give even a better rate for prescriptions than GoodRx. I’ll check both. It’ll save significant money. The prescription is for 120 pills with 3 refills. The cost for 120 with GoodRx will be about $30. Over-the-counter cost was around $70.
Dr. Velez wants me to take Imodium AD every four hours and only use the Lomotil every 6 hours. I’ll still alternate until my diarrhea gets under control.
I’m waiting on the blood tests to see where I am deficient. I’ll know more what to expect today once they come in.
Stephanie started the magnesium drip already since she anticipates it being low.
10:20 am The magnesium did indeed come back low (normal is 1.9-2.7) and mine was 1.7.
The Comprehensive Medical Panel just arrived. Sodium was low, chloride was high, anion gap (checks acid/base balance of blood) was low, glucose was high (248), calcium was low and alkaline phosphatase (measures liver/bone health) was high and total protein (function of liver or kidney problems) was low.
CBC with Auto Differential showed white blood cell normal, red blood cell low, hemoglobin and hematocrit were low, neutrophils relative was high, lymphocytes relative were low, neutrophils absolute high and lymphocytes absolute were low.
Next up will be the pre-infusion cocktail of Benadryl, dexamethasone, pepsid, and zofram. Then I can start the Taxol then the Herceptin.
My IV pole with pre-infusion drug, Taxol and Herceiptin and saline solution. The small bag on the left is the magnesium. The middle ba is saline and the third bag on the right is Herceptin.
Stephanie started with the Herceptin. It’ll take around 30 minutes and then the Taxol will be an hour. They’ve upped the rate of the infusion since I’ve not shown any ill effects for the previous 3 infusions. Less time here.
Note the jacket. When you get infusions, you get cold. I’ve learned to automatically ask for a blanket and a pillow and I keep the jacket in my shoulder bag.
The Larousse Gastronomique did arrive yesterday and thankfully it was in English. I will need a magnifying glass to read it but it is everything I thought it would be. It is an encyclopedia, historical record, and recipe book, all in one.
The color plates are great also. This is chicory and endive types.The above map shows the wine regions of Burgundy, a barge tour I did in 2012.
Also yesterday, I noticed my night blooming cereus had bloomed.
The bloom only lasts one night and if lucky, is fertilized by a moth. This is what it really looks like in bloom. The aroma is amazing and permeates the night air. If I can smell it, certainly moths can. This photo is several years old but I stayed up all night to photograph the blooming. It was worth being hung over a little the next day in class from lack of sleep.
10:48 am Stephanie is admistering the pre-infusion drugs. Good stuff!
Maybe, just maybe I’ll get out of here around 2:30 pm. They stop the magnesium while the other stuff is dripping but they’ll finish that up after the Herceptin and Taxol. Stephanie decided to do the Herceptin first this time.
The Herceptin finished at 1 pm and now I’m back finishing half of the magnesium and the rest of the saline (for hydration). I feel pretty good at the moment – much better than when I first walked in. I might make it out by 2 pm. I won’t know what to do with the extra time.
Now, if only my appetite for something besides sugar kicks in. I don’t need a 248 reading for glucose.
