Eleventh and Twelfth Rounds of Chemotherapy

Well…as I failed to update everyone following the eleventh round of chemotherapy, I thought I’d combine the two in a final chemotherapy report.

 

The eleventh round of chemotherapy went well. I received my second dosages of calcium and magnesium with the half-dose of Oxaliplatin. I still experienced fatigue. However, the neuropathy in my hand was improved. Yet again, I had a new nurse. She was wonderful, just as all of nurses have been.

 

I felt good enough to accompany my parents to north Georgia for the Georgia Fiddler’s Convention in Hiawassee, Georgia. I enjoyed it, but disagreed with some of the judges’ decisions. My favorite competition was among the guitarists who were playing thumb-style. (Think Chet Atkins.)

 

My final round of chemotherapy was not unlike the first. It was somewhat apropos. If you recall, my first round of chemotherapy fell upon a hectic day. Fortunately, the day upon which round number twelve fell was not so hectic. I was just fifteen minutes late to my infusion appointment. Somehow, though, it managed to become a full day that did not end until after five o’clock, just as my first infusion day had done.  I also ended up being moved to the room in which my first chemotherapy infusion had taken place. (Remember, the suite that I had said looked like it could have been on the set of “House, MD.”) The nurses did something special for me before I left since it was my last infusion. They sang to me, presented me with a “purple heart” certificate for successfully completing my chemotherapy, and put Mardi Gras style beads around my neck. (The “purple heart” on the certificate  represents the color used to raise awareness for all the types of cancer.

 

As I write this, I am still being infused with the Fluorouracil via the portable pump. As usual, it is annoying to wear the pump, but, at least, it is killing any cancer cells that may still be lurking in my body. I do suffer some as a result of it. I have had more nausea lately as the Fluorouracil really affects my sinuses. I have had a lot of drainage in my throat and have been getting sinus headaches. These are what have been making me nauseated. I used to get sick  a lot as a kid because of my sinuses. Therefore, this brings back certain string memories from my youth. Ah…good times. *sarcasm*

 

I have noticed that the neuropathy does not feel seem to be affecting my throat as badly as it has been. Today, “Wendy’s” put ice in my drink. However, I found that I was able to drink it with a straw with no discernible discomfort. That is to say, as long as the cold liquid did not touch my lips, which are still sensitive. Oddly enough, so are my teeth. It will take up to a month for all of the side effects of the chemotherapy to subside. Yet, there is the possibility that some of the neuropathy will remain.

 

I seem to be able to walk further without getting as tied or winded. Unfortunately, much of the fatigue still remains, though. Hopefully, that will subside, too. I need to get busy getting all of this prednisone/chemotherapy weight off of me. I discovered today that my neuropathy has not completely departed from my hands. I dropped some yogurt containers in Wal-Mart and at my parents’ house, causing  the loss of one container.   I just didn’t have a good grip on it even though I thought I did. Chemo-brain also struck again. I forgot to get one of the items from my list for my dad. Oy vey.

 

I will see my oncologist on November 4. I am not sure what all that visit will entail. I know we are supposed to schedule CT scan(s). That is honestly about it. I am confident, though, that the scans will find me cancer free.

 

I still have a few mountains to climb. So, please, keep the prayers going. I do appreciate them very much. They have enabled me to do as well as I have. You have helped evoked God’s providence and grace within my life.

Fluorouracil.

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Tags: Chemotherapy