Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Chemo Update

Well, I figure it is time to let you know what's going on.  I had my long chemo infusion yesterday.  I started at 8 am and ended around 5:30.  They are long days.  Yesterday they gave me 13 different drugs pumped directly into my veins...and I wonder why I don't feel well today.  Only 4 of those were chemo drugs...the other 9 were given to help combat the chemo symptoms.  I fell asleep in the chair..don't remember driving home...and slept all day today.  I think my body will be thrilled to get rid of all the poisons I keep forcing in.  Today I feel worse than I have in a LONG time.  There is no sugar coating it...I look like heck and feel even worse.  My friends that have stopped by might now be scared off for good.  I will avoid the mirror today.  My hair loss seems to have slowed and I feel lucky to have what I do.  This picture isn't the best, but was a quick snapshot when I got home from church on Sunday when I at least tried to get dressed.  You can see I am still attached to a pump, which is the tube coming out of my shirt. I wear the pump continuously for three weeks on...one week off.  Repeat.  My fingernails are getting black spots and are starting to die, my skin is crazy dry and strange, my stomach and bowels are in complete trauma...and now my kidneys are being hurt by the chemo and is causing me to lose protein in my urine and has caused a pretty big rise in my bloodpressure.  (so...I have to take even more medicine for that...surprise!)  I really wonder if there is a better method of doing this.  I don't like what all of this is doing to me!!!!  Please pray that my doctors will know how to best treat me and that I will have the strenght to continue!  Thanks!

8 comments:

The Atwood's said...

It just seems like there should be some natural ways to combat atleast some of the stuff like... drinking a "green" drink or something. Have you talked to anyone at Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake? If not, let me know. I used to work there and I might still have some connections. I guess I figured you have already gone that route but I want to offer it just in case. I'm always thinking and praying for you.

kdnaegle said...

You amaze me, you are beautiful and classy...even with a chemo pump attached to you.

Laurene said...

We hope and pray you'll have lots of what you need to get through this, yet another difficult phase. It is encouraging to see this photo with your beautiful smile. I hope you'll look at it and other happy photos often to keep your spirits high and keep you positive through it all. We wish you many unexpected chuckles and giggles to lighten the times so difficult to manage.

Larry said...

Isn't my wife hot?

Tracey said...

I agree with Larry, you're looking pretty hot!! I'm glad you got to have a fun trip, sorry it ended so badly. I am sure that you wish,more than anyone, that there was some better miracle cure. We will pray that the doctors can figure the best options for you and that even if they can't minimize the symptoms anymore they will at least work well and be successful! We will also pray that you can find something, like the acupuncture, that may help you to feel better at least for a while. You deserve more good days. I hope they come soon!

Holly and Ryan said...

Looking GREAT! Sorry that is not translating to feel great...yet. You are still in our prayers and thoughts.

Renee' Morris-Dezember said...

You look BEAUTIFUL! I pray EVERYDAY...hoping you can find some answers and comfort soon! Love ya!

Carol said...

YOU ARE A TRUE FIGHTER! IF ANYONE COULD LEARN SOMETHING FROM U IT WOULD BE YOU DON'T ASK GOD FOR YOURSELF BUT FOR THE DOCTORS TO FIND HELP FOR U! U SHOW ME THAT NO MATTER WHAT I AM GOING THROUGH IT IS JUST A WALK IN THE PARK AS YOURS IS A MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB EVERYDAY. I WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY AS I DO OFTEN FOR YOU.