19 December 2023
Six hours of sleep last night but it was in starts and stops. I made it in to the cancer center early by 15 minutes. My appointment was for 9:30 am but they took me back at 9:15. Jason is my nurse today. Pat is on holiday. It’s the first time I’ve had a male nurse at the cancer center. He likes to talk football.
Dr. Velez showed up just about the time Jason started my saline and Magnesium. I started in on my questions. He scheduled this morning the echocardiogram for January. Once it is confirmed, I’ll have it listed on the My Chart account. He says the port is MRI compatible and will be no problem. He did not prescribe the gabapentin (Dr. Burgers did for the surgery pain) and he didn’t really consider it effective in treating neuropathy. He didn’t know the neuropathy was causing me so much pain. I’m not sure why he didn’t know this since I’ve been complaining about it forever. He was the one to recommend acupuncture.
In any case, he’s prescribed Lyrica. He sent the prescription to my local Publix because CVS and Walgreens charge over $400 a month while Publix is around $17. I’m starting out with 50 mg twice a day to see how I tolerate it. I can up it to 100 mg twice a day if neuropathy doesn’t improve. He’s also put in for an appointment with a neurologist. That was in relation to the stubbornness of the neuropathy and the muscle weakness.
He considers the lack of energy associated with my not sleeping well. The Lyrica should help with that. He hopes the neuropathy will ease and my energy level will pick up and the fatigue will ease.
The Signatera test came back negative so my cancer has not reappeared.
He’s agreed to provide me a handicap placard. It’ll be good for 6 months and can be extended.
After the saline and Magnesium finish, Jason will start the Herceptin.
I’m actually doing fairly well this morning. My gait is a little better and I have a tad more energy.
I forgot to mention that when Holley brought me my lunch of ribs she brought me a beautiful bouquet of flowers that included peonies. She knows they are one of my favorite flowers.
After the infusion, I’ll head to my Walgreens to pick up the Temazepam. I can still take it with the Lyrica for sleep but not at the same time. The Publix prescription for Lyrica will probably be ready sometime today or tomorrow.
I have no idea what’s happening to me but I forgot my appointment with Dr. Burgers yesterday. I called to reschedule. Whatever is happening must be catching since I was rescheduled for Thursday at 4:30 Pm. A few minutes later her nurse called me back and said she forgot Dr. Burgers wasn’t in on Thursday. I’m now scheduled for Wednesday at the same time.
I also tried to schedule an appointment with Hollywood Chrysler Jeep for the engine check light and to get the headlight replaced. I also asked about the drivers side headrest and the recall. It was like high school kids were manning the phone. I was finally told there was a headrest in stock but they didn’t know who it belonged to. However a new one was due today but they didn’t know who that belonged to. As to the recall, I was told it was a computer upgrade. That’s not what the website says, it’s a parts issue. In any case, I’ll call later this week to see what’s what.
There has been an ongoing saga with the TENS unit since it won’t charge. The company demanded a receipt for proof of purchase. Michel and Nancy told me it was a silent auction prize. They felt badly and ordered me a new unit and made sure it was delivered last night. I can’t wait to try it out. I’m sorry their unit didn’t work and certainly didn’t expect them to replace it but that’s how they are – too good to me.
That’s it for today. Stay tuned!
