Tuesday, October 27th, 2015. Chair #8 is where I will be for the next several hours while I receive chemo #5 for this session. My seventeenth chemo since this whole thing started over five years ago. Every session is the same, but there are differences. Those differences are not in the treatment but in the way I handle the treatment. For the next three days I would endure the process, and despite the occasional uncomfortable aspects, this chemo didn't go too badly.
The session started around 930am, but I begin the process at home, taking my pre-chemo pills. Onedesteron is the medication that I'm advised helps with potential nausea during the chemo session. I take only one, and then Lorezepam, to help with anxiety. My first session had caused me (and my doctors) some concern as to how I was emotionally managing the process. I think I'm doing a lot better, but I still take the pill. Perhaps the next session I'll go without and see how well I cope. The next set of pills I'll take will be when I'm starting the chemo session: three Dexamethasone, the so-called "Chrysler" pills, the shape of which has a passing resemblance to the Chrysler logo. I won't take any more pills during my three days of chemo (save the ones for Arthritis and allergies).
Each session I try to tweak my routine, to find the most comfort during this time. I had cut down on the pills post-chemo, as their side effects were, to put it mildly, extremely disruptive to my emotional and physical comfort. I make sure that my diet during these days are high in fibre, and try to keep hydrated. The problem with hydration is that for me, water does not taste right, and doesn't quench my thirst. So I supplement my liquid intake with Apple and Orange juice, and Ginger Ale. Prior to this chemo I was taking RestorOlax to assist the evacuation process. This session I opted not to use it, relying upon high fibre and a lot of liquids. This seemed to work, as I didn't suffer the ongoing cramps that sometimes come with using a stool softener. It's a reality that the type of chemo I'm on causes constipation, so fruit and fibre and water and Activia yogurt are staples during this time. I seemed to have manged my diet and bowels, however there remained other side effects. Sleeping difficulties and bleeding gums are still issues.
While I only spend a few hours in the chemo chair, the treatment continues with the attachment of a 5FU pump, designed to meter chemo medication into me over a 46 hour period. Essentially for the next two days I am physically bonded to a bottle. I can't shower with it, and sleeping with it is sometimes awkward. Sleep however is a problem. When I arrive home after the initial session I'm tired and drained of energy. I sometimes rest on the couch, never quite falling asleep. The problem is that I feel tired but can't sleep. I've restored to taking sleeping pills, rather than toss and turn for hours. The first night with the pump is usually the worst for sleep for some reason.
My other concern is bleeding gums after brushing my teeth. One side of my mouth (left side) is extremely sensitive. I resorted to pre-rinsing my brush in hot water to soften the bristles, this helps somewhat. I would later learn that I should get not only the ultrasoft brushes, but the soft brushes designed for infants. And I was advised to get a new brush every chemo. A sink full of blood mixed with toothpaste is not a pleasant sight.
I've also noticed that sneezing also produces a bloody residue. These bleeding issues are attributed to the Avastin medication that I receive during chemo. Avastin is designed to inhibit the growth of new blood vessels, essentially denying new cancer tumours an energy source. So basically my side effects this session are not sleeping, and sore gums.
It isn't only medicine that I rely upon during these three-day sessions, it's my desire to keep active, physically and mentally. I don't go out while wearing the pump, my physical activities are limited due to my sore knee and shin. But I don't just sit on the couch during this time, I do normal household chores -manly things too, like laundry, cleaning the bathroom, doing dishes. When I have the mental energy I play chess online. I dabble with my electronics hobby, and read a lot. I now have time to read for enjoyment, not just technical documents that seemed to be my only reading material while working. I'm learning to enjoy my good days.
My three days of chemo are filled with ways to not think about cancer, despite the tug of the pump attached to my chest. I look forward to the time when it is removed, and Thursday Oct. 29th at 1120am I was at CCAC, ready for the pump disconnect. Another routine disconnect with a good blood return, and precious little hair yanked from my chest. And as has been a tradition of late, lunch was at a nearby Arby's. Moderate consumption as opposed to my gluttony of previous times. This day wasn't simply a pump disconnect day, it was the first time in three days that I was outside, and walking.
I walk like a drunken penguin these days, due to the knee injury I suffered in August and the radiation treatment in June for my leg. But I'm now walking without a brace and I feel better for it. With the pump removed the next week would see me recovering from the effects of chemo. And it would be a wonderful week to be chemo-free!
Chemo-free but not medically free. On Wednesday November 4th I would have another CT scan. As always this is a two day event. And both days involve drinking the RediCat Smoothie. As mentioned before it's berry flavoured chalk, heavy on the chalk. I have two bottles of this stuff, one I drink the night before around 9:00PM. The next morning I won't eat anything for three hours prior to my appointment. I bring my second bottle with me for my appointment at noon. As I register at the Diagnostic imaging desk, I'm informed I need blood work. Because it's a Wednesday, my last blood work on Monday the week before is not valid. So off to the lab I go, figuring it will be 15 minutes. Nope, lots of folks waiting at noon. Eventually my blood is taken, and I return to the CT waiting area. I'm informed I can drink my second bottle. Lukewarm chalk drink serves as lunch. Now I wait. I wait until the lab results are in and just before 1:00PM I'm called into the CT prep area where I receive my second needle jab of the day, this time for the IV that will be used to inject the contrast dye during the scan.
I've often wondered how many scans I've had, and when the technician first brought out the paperwork and asked if I had a CT scan before, it reminded me to ask her to look up my record. She took my signed paperwork acknowledging that they can push the contrast dye through me, and returned, informing me that they have a record of 20 scans for me. At this point I've had 16 CT's, 2 Bone Scans and 2 real-time flouroscopy (for the IV Port insertions). This CT will be number 17. My first CT was in September of 2005 for kidney stone (still the Worst Pain Ever) and all the remaining scans were since 2010. Today's scan will be like the other 16: lie on the bed, cover up with a sheet to preserve my modesty as I pull my pants down. Both arms are extended straight overhead. The bed slides through scanner, a voice tells me to take a breath and hold, then as I return back to the starting position I can breathe normally. The process repeats a couple of times, and shortly I'm told I'm done. I can now put my pants back on and the IV is removed. I'll sport a nice bruise on my left arm for the next couple of weeks. Another scan is done, and I can resume enjoying my day. Plus I have to carve a pumpkin.
Halloween was a wet and cold affair, 12 kids trick or treating on a Saturday night was the best showing I've had for several years. This year I built fading RGB LED eyes for my scary vegetable. The following week, my non-chemo week saw days filled with sunshine, blue skies and temperatures in the low 70's (F that is). The nice weather energized or motivate me somewhat. I would create other circuit boards for my hobby of making clocks. More importantly, I would get out and ride my bike and walk. The latter activities were both the most tiring and most enjoyable. I felt almost like my old self again.
There were a number of social meetups, which I actually find more exhausting than bike riding or other physical activities. I enjoyed seeing folks from my workplace, and an old friend from University. I find that I no longer worry about my former workplace, I guess the 600+ folks at the job can get along fine without me, and I'm glad I can accept that. But they haven't forgotten me, and the last weekend before the next chemo a good friend from work and his son showed up at my house to clean my gutters and rake my lawn of the leaves. I am continually humbled by the friendships I've made from my work (and other) places over the years. I can truly say I'm lucky.
My fifth chemo was remarkably boring in terms of side effects. I was able to take charge of my post-chemo recovery in a strong fashion, able to do basically whatever I felt like doing. While my stamina and strength has never returned to the state I was in 6 months ago, I feel like I'm gaining a bit more stamina and strength. Walking is clearly in my future. One more day at a time.
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