Round #4

I received my 4th round of Neoadjuvant chemotherapy on March 19th.

The nurse this time didn't bruise me like round #2, but he wasn't as smooth as my round #3 nurse.  It went fine, though.

We got lunch, and came home, and I made out the grocery list for Dave, and laid down to try to nap.

That didn't last long, because that was when my niece and her partner arrived!

That weekend, my mouth didn't start to act up as quickly as last time, so that was good.

We were busy all weekend, though, so I didn't get the usual amount of water intake (you may recall that I was coached before this all began to drink LOTS of water after treatment to flush out the chemo), or the usual amount of rest after a treatment.

I think as a result, this round hit me a bit harder.

This is now day ten, and over the past 10 days, I have needed to take anti-nausea medication at random times, my mouth got really bad, I have had virtually no appetite, and I've been so very tired.

I lost 6 pounds in a week.

But the night before last was finally Friday.  I got out of work early and got my usual blood draw, then we went out and did all of the errands, and were home by 6:30 with Wendy's for dinner (which actually tasted really good to me).

Exhausted, I was in bed by 9, and finally got some decent rest.

I didn't SLEEP that well (I tend to not be able to sleep when I am overtired....so weird), but I got some rest at last.

Yesterday, I felt completely recovered, thanks to those 10 hours of horizontal time, just letting my body be soft and relaxed.

So I think my increased negative response over this past week was from just doing way too much over last weekend immediately after treatment, not guzzling water those first 3 days, and not having any down time until the work week was over.

Anyway, this round, I have had only one of those weird chest pains (which the doctor never commented on), and I did not get the trachea pain like last time.

I did not get to see the doctor back on the 19th, because he was on vacation, but his nurse met with me, and took down my notes.  I mentioned that I had been having headaches along with my increased sinus issues/allergy symptoms, so she contacted the doctor while I was being infused.

They ordered a CT scan of my head, and wanted me to go ahead and get it that day, but Dave said no.  He was still refusing to tell me what my surprise was, so I just went along with him, and we scheduled the CT for Monday.

It came back clear, as I expected it to.  When the nurse called to tell me, I said I had hoped it would reveal a reason for my sinuses being so full, like a sinus infection that could be treated, but she said it did not, and then went on to say her allergies are worse than ever this year too.

SO, I just go on with my over the counter sinus remedies and wait for the irritants, whatever they are, to dissipate.

I got good sleep last night, and this morning, had a little hint of being hungry, so made a big batch of scrambled eggs with feta, and bacon on the side.  I couldn't eat all of mine, but I made a good effort!

The predicted fingernail discoloration has started, too. My nails are weird looking. Strange bands of white and color go across them.  Good thing there's nail polish.

I've been doing my nails, anyway.  I've been doing whatever I can to try to feel pretty, which has been a real challenge.

More make up, doing my nails, wearing non-allergenic earrings.

I haven't gotten the skin darkening that can happen.  Yet. Which is a good thing.

So.

The next step is a surgical consult on Tuesday.  I am hoping that we will schedule surgery at this time.  I am feeling a lot of anxiety about the impending surgery, but at the same time, I am kind of excited to get it over with so I can move on.

We had our first round of threatening weather this past week, with tornado warnings and a hail storm that dropped quarter sized to golf ball sized hail.  It took out my 2 blooming daffodils (I have dozens of daffs here and there, but only 2 plants ever seem to bloom), and put holes in the tulip leaves.  Also dinged Dave's car and Pop's car.  My car was under the car port, since it's the newest and most valuable.

There were a couple of tornadoes in the area. One was a couple of miles from our house, and one was down where Pop lives in Moore, OK.  That one did substantial damage to one neighborhood and a school.

Yesterday, Dave successfully took Pop's car out and sold it to a dealership, so it's not in our driveway anymore.

When he got home, we went out in search of a kitchen light fixture and some potting soil.  The tax refund project for this year is to get the kitchen re-wired and have that new fixture installed.

Then, in the afternoon, it got up to 77 degrees out.  Dave mowed the back 40, which was thick and overgrown already, and I re-potted some house plants (it was harder work than I anticipated it being...they really needed it), and checked the hot tub chemistry.

Inside, I did 4 loads of laundry, and a little cooking.  I still had energy and felt good when the sun went down.

It also seems that what is left of my hair has been growing, so I took Dave's clipper and buzzed my head again after it got dark out (I'm still self conscious about people seeing my mostly bald head).

Dave went out with some friends, and I stayed home and observed "Earth Hour" by going off line, and turning off all of the lights. I took a candlelight bath, and read my book in the tub. It was heavenly.

Today, after he does grocery shopping for Pop, Dave is going to mow out front, and dig me a patch in the back where I am going to plant some seeds for butterfly attracting plants.

I am going to sweep and mop, which didn't get done last weekend, and try to take it a little easier today than I did yesterday.

Hoping we will hit the hot tub tonight.

Wishing you, gentle reader, a lovely day.