18 November 2023
Again, yesterday was a rough day. I did manage to clean the pool filter and the pool deck and patio deck as my per usual Friday morning chores but it wiped me out.
Joel showed up at the house a little after 1 pm and we waited until about 1:15 to head to the cancer center. After he dropped me off, it was a little after 2:20 they took me back for the infusion. It wasn’t busy but my nurse Pat (hurray!) had four or more patients. I don’t know if she asks for me or what but I’ve consistently had her as my nurse for the last 4 visits and I’m not complaining.
I told her about the communications between Dr. Jellinger and Dr. Velez and that she might see an order for a steroid. She didn’t but did the connection to the port, and collected blood for testing.
My blood test came back better than I expected. My white blood cell count was back to normal and was dead center of the range for normal. That relieved me of the idea of an infection. Pat immediately started the saline and magnesium (yes, I was low again) and went off to check on her other patients.
Later, I texted Dr. Jellinger about my morning dose of prednisone. He asked if Dr. Velez had prescribed any steroids. When Pat came back around, I asked and she confirmed that he suggested 50 mg. By that time, Dr. Jellinger said if I wasn’t to get an IV of steroids, to simply take 5 more mg when I got home and take 10 tomorrow. Pat and I discussed it and she said with 50 mg I wouldn’t sleep a wink tonight. We decided top follow Jellinger’s lead on the issue.
I didn’t think I was going to get out before 5 pm and texted Keith that. However, Pat started fast pumping the saline into me and I was done a little after 4:30. As I got up out of the chair I stumbled and Pat came rushing over. It’s the neuropathy in my feet. I’m clumsy. She gave me a hug and promised things would get better. Just as I was leaving, someone rang the bell to signify they were through their cancer treatment.
I have to admit, I felt pretty good after the hydration. I’m not sure if it was the hydration or if that extra dose of prednisone Jellinger told me to take kicked in. I’ll take either one. My next treatment is on November 28th and it will be a Herceptin treatment.
I texted Keith I was ready and headed outside. Keith pulled up to the entrance a little after I got there. He then took me to Walgreens to pick up the new prescription of the 5 mg tablets of prednisone and drove me home. I let him and Joel have a few of the Cuban sandwiches and then I had two more for dinner.
On my doorstep was a container of chicken soup from Chris and Judith. According to Chris, the soup consists of 5 hours boiling chicken necks, chicken bouillon, bay leaves, a little tumeric & ginger powder, herbs of provence, salt, pepper, minute drizzle of pomegranate & molasses, onion, garlic, leek, potato, turnip, carrot, celery, courgette, mushroom, small bottle Fat Tire Ale, water.
Believe me, it’s delicious. Just what Dr. Jellinger ordered. I really liked how he cut the potatoes in quarters and had fat slices of mushrooms. This is the second time I’ve had this soup and love it.
Today I’ll attempt to change linen on the bed, wash clothes and clean house. There’s always extra stuff to do to prepare for Thanksgiving and Wade’s arrival. I’ll take it a little at a time and rest a lot between tasks. I don’t feel great this morning but thankfully I don’t feel as badly as I did yesterday morning.
Stay tuned!
