Cycle 5 - Full Report

Happy Belated Halloween!
I've decided that Sunday night prior to my treatment and all day Monday, I was having a mid-life crisis, an emotional meltdown! I realized I am just not happy with where I am in life right now - who would be with all this going on? Don't worry, I woke up emotionally, fine Tuesday morning...thankfully, because physically, I was about to face some more challenges. Aunt Kay and Uncle Jim shared the beginning of the week with me! Aren't we fun looking? I am still at the 150 dose but, Tuesday night (at midnight) I was woken up by chills and a sore torso. I had a fever and bad pain in my lower rib cage area that wrapped all the way around my back. It was pretty intense! Motrin lowered the fever within 45 minutes but the whole night and next day I felt bloated and tender in my upper abdomen. (this happened last month as well, and I was better by Friday - so I wasn't too worried) By-the-way, I went to work the next day - only because I had guest speakers for all of my classes. They are my personal contacts and not to be trusted with a random substitute. I was happy they did the talking all day, but I was in horrible discomfort the entire time. So, Uncle Jim picked me up for treatment Wednesday, I told the nurse about my symptoms, they consulted with my Doctor and decided to hold on the treatment and send me in for tests. The best place to do this was the E.R. (which they now call the E.D.) Off, we went! We were like VIPs of the E.R...wheel-chair LIMO service, back door passes, a fast pass for every attraction (never waiting any one place too long!) It was a delightful change of pace. After all, we were getting tired of the same ole' routine. I wasn't feeling well enough to take pictures this week but my talented Unkie Jim drew this to capture our adventure. He calls it "Wheelin' to the E.D." and writes a comment, "I didn't draw the wounded we left behind us littering the hallways. They were the hapless victims of our swift passing. Burma Shave! Wooooo-Woooooo!!!" Yes, I was trying to text the whole time. Boy, this was a bustling place! Doctors, nurses, and techs, oh my! They were everywhere. It was loud like a bar! My room had a sliding glass door so, we could close off the noise and still watch all the action! I was visited by one doctor after another and they were so young and cute, I was expecting Dr. House to walk in at some point. Really, I felt felt like I was on a TV Show as the rare, interesting, and incredibly mysterious medical case. At one point, I even got to be part of a medical demonstration for 5 Florida State Medical students. I've just raised my teaching to another level! hee hee

Here's the medical scoop from the E.D. Blood work revealed liver and pancreas enzymes were high (60 range) but not high enough to keep me. My CT scan was un-remarkable. All other vitals, tests were fine also. (ultrasound of Gall bladder - fine). So, they gave me morphine and sent me home with oxycodone for pain. I rested all day Thursday, went in for Chemo in the afternoon and did well. So, I repeated on Friday. Friday's pain was still intense but, lower abdomen, wrapping around to my lower back. No fever. I don't have an appetite and can't really eat anything without feeling pain. They advised I stay on a BRAT diet, drink a lot of clear liquids and stay away from Tylenol.

As I understand it, they said, "This is either a side-effect of the Chemo which they could treat by tweaking my pre-meds or it is the beginning of something else and we hope it is a side-effect."

I have a follow up appointment with my primary care doctor Monday at noon. I've emailed my Dr. in Texas, we'll be having a phone conversation this week. I also have an MRI and a follow up appointment with my MD Anderson Doctor on December 10th. So, I feel confident that the right choices will be made in my best interest. Changes to my treatment plan might be in store. I'll be sure to make updates as I get them.

My symptoms from the lesions are all still the same (not worse), except for my arm...the numbness is gone! This is truly a big deal!

I regret that I missed some good photo ops this week. I didn't even have my camera with me most days. On Thursday, Barb and Lauren D. picked me up for treatment (they also brought us dinner). This was the day after the E.D. and I was on my pain meds. So, we took the cute MD Anderson shuttle cart from the garage to the front entrance. When we arrived to the 5th floor, they had their usual hot tea bar but they also had a full spread of treats! I couldn't eat much but I nibbled. Then we discovered the joys of a private waiting room back in the treatment hall. It was like a cozy little living room where we could all visit at the same time. Lauren spotted hand made chicken wire, beaded and shelly crowns on a shelf (3 of them) and this is when I discovered I didn't have my camera. They have to come back for a photo shoot with me!!!

Also, missed photo opportunities were on Friday with my mom. There was a live musician in the hall, playing guitar. It was so nice. I still wasn't feeling well and slept in my chair through my treatment. (I rarely do that) So, forgive me but I was just really beat this week.

As I post this Blog, I am already starting to feel better!
Love you all!