Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Third Chemo Treatment Today
I had my third chemo treatment today. I had an appointment for 8:45 a.m. Got there, they went to do my bloodwork. Labs must be drawn each time to check my white blood cell count, red blood cell count, iron, etc. Everything came back good. But it wasn't easy getting there. I had the port surgery before my 2nd treatment. The port is inserted under the skin and into a vein for chemo and blood draws. They stuck me with the needle. I am instructed to take a deep breath when they jab me. I did and it wasn't as bad as I feared. But they could get no blood out. None. Not a drop. They had me lay this way, then that way, then cough, and nada. So they pulled the needle out (which is as bad as it going in if not worse) and decided to stick me again. Still, nothing. No blood. They flushed the IV with enough saline that I am surprised I wasn't floating out of there. Then they finally said, well, sometimes this happens and you just need to move around a bit.....so let's do a normal blood draw and we'll hope the port works for chemo. So I got stuck yet again in my arm which oddly hurt today. I am used to it and normally it doesn't hurt. Depends on the nurse I guess. So they finally got my blood and I went back to the waiting room. Another 10 minutes or so and they led me to the doctors waiting room where I waited for the doc then finally was put in my chair for chemo. They got my meds mixed pretty quick this time. They brought me some cheese crackers and ice water and a big pink blanket. It was coooold in there today. I got my chemo and was out by 12:30 p.m. It's always a long day on chemo day. But I feel fine so far. No nausea. I think on chemo days I get injected with so many anti-nausea meds that I actually feel BETTER. Weird. Hopefully not many side effects with this treatment. I have all my hair still!!! I was told I'd probably lose it fast if I was going to lose it and so far? I still got it. Yeah!!!! :) I won't get my hopes up too much. I just hope everyone will still love a bald Sandi rocking the whole Sinead look. lol (oh I hope not)
June 18, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
Had a good weekend
Friday itself was not good. I was very sick for some reason....nauseas all day starting early in the morning. I was awful all day and wondering WHY it was so bad again. But by Saturday morning I felt pretty good. I went to a family reunion, said hello to everyone. I haven't seen anybody except my parents and my older sister since this whole thing started. (I am sorry I missed you this weekend by the way Dee! I got into town later than planned and when I called you weren't home.) But anyway, I got out to see Short Lived Fun (the best local band around) that night. I felt up to it so I went. I didn't stay too late. I was tired and figured not to push it. Plus there was a long drive home. But it was a good time...nice to see everyone out. I like feeling alive again. It's pretty nice! :)
June 14, 2007
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Sucks to worry about the little things
I have a *slight* sore throat. No biggie....usually. I don't want to worry about this. But strep throat was recently exposed to me...and with me being on the chemo? Yeah. I'm concerned. I hate worrying about the little stuff.
June 4, 2007
Monday, June 04, 2007
A scare, chemo number two and another surgery
Well Wednesday night of this past week I got a phone call around 10:45 p.m. from the local doc in my town about an ECHO test I had done that day. It was a standard test for someone on chemo but my test came back that I had a lot of fluid around my heart. The doc had me in a panic. I was scheduled to get a second echo the falling day at the hospital where I am being treated. After much waiting and anxiousness the test came ok. There is fluid but it's just a normal part of the Hodgkins. I had a lot of fluid in my chest when I had the biopsy as well. Anyway thank God that was ok and it should resolve itself as I get better. I started my day at the hospital at 6:30 a.m. I then had an IV inserted and some anti-nausea drugs. Then I was wheeled away to surgery for a port. A port is inserted into chest....upper left side. It is a tube that is actually inserted into my vein with a round top inserted under the skin. This round top has a rubbery or plastic cover. This is where they will do my IV's and blood draws from here on out. I had chemo at 10:00 a.m. (well I was supposed to. They didn't start until 1 p.m.! I was mad to say the least. And yes I waited and waited and waited) Anyway, they used the new port for it. They did the chemo right through the port. I guess if you get too many needles poking your veins all the time your veins can collapse. It's not good basically. I will have this thing until November. It's all bandaged up now and I am pretty sore from it. I have some strong Vicodin for it though. Should help. I haven't taken one yet. I am a little nervous about it giving me nausea. I will probably have a small bump under the skin but it shouldn't be too bad. I'm feeling quite a bit better really. I am breathing better. Thank God! I expect tomorrow I will crash hard. I got really tired last time and nauseas. So.....today will probably be my last good day for awhile. Probably 3 or 4 days at least. I hope it's not as bad as last time. Eeeek. I got done with my chemo around 3:30 or so. It sucked. Then an hour and a half drive home. It's a long day and I am ready for sleep. But that's my update for now. Feel free to ask me any questions you want. I am not bothered at all by it. This is my life for awhile. I am dealing.
A scare, chemo number two and another surgery
Well Wednesday night of this past week I got a phone call around 10:45 p.m. from the local doc in my town about an ECHO test I had done that day. It was a standard test for someone on chemo but my test came back that I had a lot of fluid around my heart. The doc had me in a panic. I was scheduled to get a second echo the falling day at the hospital where I am being treated. After much waiting and anxiousness the test came ok. There is fluid but it's just a normal part of the Hodgkins. I had a lot of fluid in my chest when I had the biopsy as well. Anyway thank God that was ok and it should resolve itself as I get better. I started my day at the hospital at 6:30 a.m. I then had an IV inserted and some anti-nausea drugs. Then I was wheeled away to surgery for a port. A port is inserted into chest....upper left side. It is a tube that is actually inserted into my vein with a round top inserted under the skin. This round top has a rubbery or plastic cover. This is where they will do my IV's and blood draws from here on out. I had chemo at 10:00 a.m. (well I was supposed to. They didn't start until 1 p.m.! I was mad to say the least. And yes I waited and waited and waited) Anyway, they used the new port for it. They did the chemo right through the port. I guess if you get too many needles poking your veins all the time your veins can collapse. It's not good basically. I will have this thing until November. It's all bandaged up now and I am pretty sore from it. I have some strong Vicodin for it though. Should help. I haven't taken one yet. I am a little nervous about it giving me nausea. I will probably have a small bump under the skin but it shouldn't be too bad. I'm feeling quite a bit better really. I am breathing better. Thank God! I expect tomorrow I will crash hard. I got really tired last time and nauseas. So.....today will probably be my last good day for awhile. Probably 3 or 4 days at least. I hope it's not as bad as last time. Eeeek. I got done with my chemo around 3:30 or so. It sucked. Then an hour and a half drive home. It's a long day and I am ready for sleep. But that's my update for now. Feel free to ask me any questions you want. I am not bothered at all by it. This is my life for awhile. I am dealing.
May 24, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Well, this year is going to be a long one. Tuesday was my first chemo. Wednesday I couldn't even get out of bed. The fatigue I have felt is impossible to explain. My arms and legs literally have had no energy. A bit more energetic today but not a whole lot. I started feeling really nauseauted last night and was not able to fall asleep until after 2. Today I have fought nausea a lot and finally gave in to it around noon. I have pills to fight it but evidently I need to take them more often or they weren't strong enough. I know they have helped....but this chemo has kicked my butt. I have a horrible lump in my throat. I swear...this lump is the worst part of it all. It is the tumor and I feel it. When I move it causes me to gag and cough. That in turn makes me feel sick. I just want this chemo to help. I can handle a little fatigure and even some nausea. I just want this shortness of breath and the lump in my neck and chest to be GONE. No idea how long that will take. =/
Well, this year is going to be a long one. Tuesday was my first chemo. Wednesday I couldn't even get out of bed. The fatigue I have felt is impossible to explain. My arms and legs literally have had no energy. A bit more energetic today but not a whole lot. I started feeling really nauseauted last night and was not able to fall asleep until after 2. Today I have fought nausea a lot and finally gave in to it around noon. I have pills to fight it but evidently I need to take them more often or they weren't strong enough. I know they have helped....but this chemo has kicked my butt. I have a horrible lump in my throat. I swear...this lump is the worst part of it all. It is the tumor and I feel it. When I move it causes me to gag and cough. That in turn makes me feel sick. I just want this chemo to help. I can handle a little fatigure and even some nausea. I just want this shortness of breath and the lump in my neck and chest to be GONE. No idea how long that will take. =/
May 21, 2007
Monday, May 21, 2007
Well, I start chemo tomorrow morning. Every two weeks....until the end of November. I am nervous....but hopeful at the same time. I have to beat this. I want to feel better and the cure rate is really high so wish me luck all. I pray all my hair doesn't fall out but you know what? I think I'd rather live than worry about it too much.
Well, I start chemo tomorrow morning. Every two weeks....until the end of November. I am nervous....but hopeful at the same time. I have to beat this. I want to feel better and the cure rate is really high so wish me luck all. I pray all my hair doesn't fall out but you know what? I think I'd rather live than worry about it too much.
May 16, 2007
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Got my appointment!
FINALLY I got the call. I am going to St. Louis tomorrow for my appointment. I have to go to this appointment with this specialist before I can start treatments. Now...whether she'll be doing my treatments there or I'll be doing my treatments here I have no idea. But this is my very first step in getting better. I can hardly breathe, eat, sleep, etc. This is giving me hope. I don't know how I'll manage this trip but I'm gonna just be happy that I am getting in tomorrow.
Got my appointment!
FINALLY I got the call. I am going to St. Louis tomorrow for my appointment. I have to go to this appointment with this specialist before I can start treatments. Now...whether she'll be doing my treatments there or I'll be doing my treatments here I have no idea. But this is my very first step in getting better. I can hardly breathe, eat, sleep, etc. This is giving me hope. I don't know how I'll manage this trip but I'm gonna just be happy that I am getting in tomorrow.
First Blog
First of all, my name is Sandi. I was diagnosed in May with Hodgkins Lymphoma. I found out 2 weeks prior that I was pregnant. The chances of these two occuring at the same time I have learned are somewhere around 1 in 1000. I have heard from many oncologists and my high risk OB that it is something rarely seen. My OB has only had 4 patients that had cancer and were pregnant at the same time. This is after 20 years of working as a high risk OB. I have a very curable and treatable cancer. This blog will be a record of all that I go through, how I am feeling and what I am doing. I have posted a blog on myspace for awhile and will be posting all the blogs I have made on there since May then will start updating here. I hope that I get some feedback and comments. I love hearing from people. I have a family. I am 31 and married for over 11 years now. I have 3 daughters ages 10, 7 and 5. That's a little background on me. Now for my blogs. This all should keep you up to date as of everything so far.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Bad day today. Well starting last night really. I'm waiting and waiting to hear back from this doctor's office in St. Louis. They aren't rushing though and I am miserable. I'll have to make a 3 hour drive to get there when I finally get the appointment and treatment can't start until they see me. I can no longer sit up in bed without first feeling strangled then immediately going into such a violent coughing fit that I almost throw up each time. I am scared to just get up to go the bathroom. I have progressed to being this awful in just the past month. It's scary. I want to get better but know I'll only get worse until treatment starts. I am feeling very depressed today. I am tired of feeling sick. I am tired of coughing until it hurts. :(
Monday, May 14, 2007
Bad day today. Well starting last night really. I'm waiting and waiting to hear back from this doctor's office in St. Louis. They aren't rushing though and I am miserable. I'll have to make a 3 hour drive to get there when I finally get the appointment and treatment can't start until they see me. I can no longer sit up in bed without first feeling strangled then immediately going into such a violent coughing fit that I almost throw up each time. I am scared to just get up to go the bathroom. I have progressed to being this awful in just the past month. It's scary. I want to get better but know I'll only get worse until treatment starts. I am feeling very depressed today. I am tired of feeling sick. I am tired of coughing until it hurts. :(