Day: November 3, 2023

3 November 2023

As I was cleaning the pool deck, I got a telephone call from Holy Cross asking if I could come in early. Apparently their entire computer system went down and they were unable to confirm chemotherapies and had to cancel everyone with a chemo treatment. Since I was a hydration, they wanted to fill their time slot with me. I told them I wasn’t sure what time but I would come early. They said that was OK, they couldn’t guarantee a time slot anyway. I was a little hesitant, thinking I would be sitting in the waiting room for a couple of hours until a chair became available.

I finished with the pool filter, pool deck, patio and the pool and hopped into the shower. I started in the opposite direction by heading to Pools ‘n More to pick up a basket for the pool pump and some pool chemicals. I then set course for Holy Cross.

I arrived around 11:30 am and to my surprise, it was only 12:05 pm when they called me back. The nurse was Stephanie and she had given me a Taxol treatment once before. My neighbor was Bob.

Bob wanted to talk. All the nurses doted on him. Yes, I was a little jealous until I learned why. He has terminal bone cancer. It was his fourth cancer. He was pretty realistic about it. He just stated it without any “woe is me” attitude. Apparently his blood cell count was too low for treatment so they gave him an injection to boost his blood cells and scheduled him to come back for the chemo treatment. I assume all they are doing is prolonging his life and trying to mitigate the pain.

My blood tests came back with the best results I’ve had in a while. My magnesium was 1/10 of a point below normal so they gave me only 1 mg of the 2 mg drip. My Comprehensive Metabolic Panel was perfect except fore high glucose (115 – not too bad). The CBC Auto/Differential showed my red blood cells as low (typical) and my hematocrit and hemoglobin as low, also typical.

My Neutrophils Relative were high, Lymphocytes Relative were low and Monocytes Relative were high. That’s what it has been for quite a while. I was finished by 3 pm and it took me until almost 4 to get home because of traffic. ‘Tis the season with snow birds migrating south.

Whatever has happened has happened quickly. I had plenty of energy today before the infusion. It seems the effects of Taxol are beginning to taper off. None to soon, I might add.

Stay tuned!

3 November 2023

Perhaps this is an auspicious date. I got out of bed around 4 am and actually felt pretty good for the first time in 3 weeks. Dare I hope that I’ve turned the page on Taxol? By my calculations, I’ve not walked the neighborhood since October 10th. Today, I managed to walk two blocks or 0.45 miles. Normally, I would be embarrassed I hadn’t even walked half a mile but I consider this a major victory! It was good that it was still dark on the walk so people didn’t think I was drunk in the neighborhood. Little victories, one step at a time.

If I continue to feel this well, I’ll probably drive myself in to the hydration infusion this afternoon. Keep your fingers crossed.

My friend John brought over a BOGO from Honey Baked Ham last night (with potato salad). He also brought over a birthday card with an Amazon gift card. We caught up with each other but by 8 pm, I chased him off. I could tell I was fading fast. I think he could tell. I’ve learned I have limits.

It’s amazing to me how quickly I could get ready for bed when I was younger. These days, it takes as while before I’m ready to pull the sheet up over me. First, there is the second round of medication before bed. Then there’s the flossing, proxabrushing, and the baking soda tooth brushing. I set the alarm, check the doors, and put the kitchen in semi-order.

As I pull the covers back, I spread a towel down to soak up night sweats (which weren’t too bad last night). I make sure I have water by the bedside, change into pajama bottoms, and crawl in to read a little. Once the medication hits, I pull the comforter back halfway and turn on the ceiling fan (I start out freezing and by the time I turn out the light, I’m hot).

Add to all of the above and that I’m not too steady on my feet and it takes up about 45 minutes to an hour. Hey! At least I can still do all of that!

I need to stop by the pool store this morning. The strainer basket in the pool pump has now split on two sides and it’s on its last legs. I tried to find it on Amazon as well as anywhere on the internet but my pump is so old, it’s not recognized and the filter part no longer exists. The pool store will be able to tell me what will fit (for a higher price). Today is also clean the pool filter day, clean the pool, pool deck and patio deck.

By the time I get ready to have the hydration infusion, I’ll probably doze off. Either that or I need to work in a mid-morning nap.

I have to say something seems to be working with the Pedialyte. I seem to stay hydrated more since I started (I’m on four a day right now). Combine that with the Metamucil and Enterade and the lack of diarrhea, some of the biggest problems seem to have been eliminated. Now if I can only get rid of the numbness in extremities.

Next week is a busy one. First, daylight savings time ends on Saturday night, Monday I go see a new ophthalmologist, Tuesday is a Herceptin infusion, Wednesday is the hand doctor for my arthritis and Friday is another hydration. Hopefully, I’ll be able to drive myself to all the appointments. Just let me give a shout out to Joel for transporting me these last two weeks.

Stay tuned!