Cycle 3 - Full Report

Mom came out with me a lot this week. We took this picture with the Macbook at the beginning of the week, when I was feeling OK.

Did I mention I had a sore throat Sunday? Yes, the day before I started round 3, I came down with a cold. I feared going to MD Anderson Monday after work because I thought the treatment would be put off. As it turned out, my blood work, temperature and blood pressure was good enough to keep going. Monday through Wednesday was absolutely fine! Other than the head cold, I felt completely normal! I was getting up at 5 AM, teaching, getting treatments in the afternoon and not falling asleep before bedtime! It was fabulous! Then, I woke up on Thursday and things started to change. My cold had moved into my chest and was starting to get the best of me! Luckily, I had previously planned to have rides everywhere so, I didn't have to drive. By the time I got to MD Anderson, my eye drops had run out, so my eyes were looking bad and I started getting mouth sores. Mom had been coming out to sit with me this week and was there to take me to the pharmacy on our way home.
My temperature went up a little (99 degrees) so, I took Nightquill and went right to bed!
Funny how the timing on things works out sometimes, this was the night, our neighbor was making us dinner. It was the first night, I was whipped and useless. We had the best homemade, chicken pot pie by Diane Williams! We've never had homemade pot pie before! WOW, it was great and perfect comfort food. Thank you!
Friday is when I really felt myself melt as the day went on. I was starting to feel tired, and sore all over! I really felt like the cold was getting worse. Coincidentally, they had me scheduled in a little single room. I curled up with a pillow and a blanket and rested. My stomach felt fine this time, by the way. My temperature at the time of treatment was 99 degrees but that night, at home got up to 100.2 degrees. I took a lot of medicine and went straight to bed.

Saturday morning, I woke up with sore legs and the mouth sores were still a constant irritation. My temperature was going up and down so, I called the Doctor. He told me to alternate Motrin and Tylonol, put a lot of lotion on my legs and to alternate the prescription mouth wash with a home made concoction. All this was good advice...but the best order he gave was to just go to bed, which I did. Accept for one thing...I had to have one little outing for the day, after all, my TV Studio was getting installed on the Freshman Campus Friday. I wanted to peak in the room. The family and I made a little trip to the school, I snapped some pictures and that was it, I was ready to go back home.

I really don't have mush else to say right now. I have been sleeping a lot. I am trying to get better. The cold is still in my chest, my tongue still hurts, my legs are better, my stomach is fine. Still, I'm staying home Monday and Tuesday so I can get my strength back up.

Post Treatment #2 - Off Week 2 & 3

The last 2 weeks have been really good. We got our computers on the freshman campus, now I just need my studio equipment. I was even able to work one football game and one volleyball game. Since I teach at a high school, I can help out at sporting events and get paid. I was pleasantly surprised at my ability to stay up and alert but, I did it. Yes, I was REALLY tired the next day - but it wasn't that bad. We all had Labor Day off - so it was great to have a 3 day weekend with the family. I rested a lot and was able to meet old TV Production friends Loren Meyer and Denis Lauziere for lunch. (they're not old...oh, you know what I mean - I love you two!) Then, the family and I crashed Kelley and Melanie's house for dinner. (these are friends of ours that we go camping with every year) Here's my kids with their cute boy Ben. They really adore him!!! Thank you Melanie for the casserole (we put it in the freezer to pull out during my next treatment). Here's a little story that I couldn't decide if I should share or not. But, one afternoon, I knew all three of our kids were going to be riding their bikes home from school together at the same time. I got home early enough to get on my bike and meet them - so, I did. I know you just fell out of your chair but it is true. It just wasn't as easy as it sounds and I won't be doing that again. My thoughts were, "I have an hour...it's 1.9 miles away. I can just take my time." I grabbed a bottle of ice water and off I went. It was in the upper 90's that day, I think I made it all the way to the corner before I started to doubt my decision. But, I am stubborn and I kept going because I really wanted to be able to. Half way there, I stopped under a tree and drank my water. Now regretting I ever had this idea in the first place. Then I pushed off for the final stretch and gave up around the corner from their school where I waited for them in the shade. I just felt soooo out of shape, and a little off balanced but nothing else really. I rode slowly home and didn't do anything else for the rest of the evening. I survived! Best part is, the kids loved that I did it! That's all that matters. My Aunt Kay and Uncle Jim have made us dinner for the last 2 Fridays and it has been fabulous - not to mention a God send! I wake up at 5 AM everyday and just can't whip up dinner every night right now. Garrett wants to take cooking lessons from her. I'd just like Garrett and Justin to start cooking anything. But, we're so thankful for her cooking talents and all that she does for us! Here's the highlight of my week - I got to see the dietitian and my Dr. at MD Anderson back to back. First, I met with the dietitian who told me about a new study on Vitamin D. They have found that it turns into a hormone, penetrates the cells and helps them to function normally! Since my cells are malfunctioning, I'll take anything I can to help them get it together. She also gave me some helpful tips to help me this next round with my stomach issues but said I can eat anything that doesn't bother me. They're just big on getting enough fiber, drinking plenty of fluids (no green tea - apparently it counteracts Chemo) and they recommend having Miralax in the medicine cabinet - just in case. Next, they had me running up stairs to see my Doc. Don't worry, I'm no fool, I took the elevator. Dr. Nick feels I am tolerating the treatments fantastically! He was also surprised to learn that I didn't have a prescription for anti-nausea to help me at home. So, maybe that will change everything. He also added a vitamin D blood level check along with my regular blood work and agrees with the dietitian that I should try taking vitamin D supplements. I asked him about exercise and told him about my pitiful attempt to ride my bike and he surprised me by saying he wants me to exercise 3 times a week when I feel up to it. So, I guess I'll be getting on my bike again. I think I'll just stay closer to home next time. And it won't be happening the week of treatment, that I know. Oh, he also wants me to get a flu shot since I work in a school. Usually, they don't recommend that for Chemo patients. David and I went to a taping of the Family Feud Show Saturday night. That was fun. It is always fascinating to see what they don't show you on TV. The very first question for example....the contestants answers were so lame - neither one got a right answer. So, they scrapped the question and gave them a new one. I think the question was, "Name something a husband doesn't want to be told how to do by his wife." One guy said, "sleep" and the other guy said, "eat". The new host is Steve Harvey who is very entertaining and ragged on the contestants a lot. They must edit tons out of the final show. The audience warm up dude was great, too! He made us dance during a break. Which I did with great pleasure! Actually, it made me miss dancing. Amy S. you and I need to go out dancing again. I also saw some familiar faces from my old TV days...Dave, Frank, Tracy, Jamie and Tanya. That is always the best part for me. You all look marvelous! Monday I start my 3rd round and the Docs are in agreement to increase my dose from 150 to 170. I went in for blood work on Friday. This was going to be the first time they used my port for a blood draw. I think it is supposed to work. Unfortunately, the nurse couldn't get the needle in the right spot. She kept trying until I begged her to stick my arm - which she gladly did. I asked her what she thought was wrong and she just said my port is really deep and the quarter inch needle wasn't long enough. I hope it was just her and it goes in easily Monday. Which reminds me, I should go sit in my hot tub before Monday. After all, if my neighbors cat can enjoy our sink, I should be able to enjoy my hot tub. Yes, take a look at this wacky cat in my sink - he reminds me of when I had a pet bird that loved baths. Tabby thinks we should turn it in to America's Funniest Videos. These are the little things in life that keep me distracted from my own drama so I can keep smiling.