Checking in on Amy

What a week! Chemo #5 went as expected yesterday. I'm feeling weird and steroid-filled today. I had some serious night sweats last which is gross because chemo is also seeping out of my pours. I have had this previously and don't think I've mentioned this here. I have experienced a few hot flashes since starting chemo too, and can't really know if it's the chemo or hormone changes causing them. It has been about 10 weeks since I last had a period, which is sort of a blessing since I don't have to worry about managing cramps or anything, but it sure has me wondering what's ahead of me when it comes to hormones and managing menopause. My chemo nurse yesterday was the same nurse who looked after me for my first treatment. She had already learned about my exciting chemo port dehiscence . I guess word gets around when freaky things happen. There are so many different situations I see while I'm in the chemo suite. Two different people came in to be hooked up t...

Update one day later...we are good to go for chemo #5 tomorrow! Read on if you missed this week's excitement. -×-×-×-×-×-×-×- It has been a lovely last few days. Quality time with my sister and her family this weekend was very good medicine for my heart and soul. We lucked out with fantastic weather and the cousins made the most of the beautiful days. The dogs had fun too! They are also photogenic. ;) Chemo port rejection story... It had been about 2 months since my chemo port was put in. In that time it had a good start healing, then things regressed a bit, but with the advice of my amazing nurses things were looking a bit better again a week or two ago. Still, the incision never completely closed up (one stubborn little end just would not heal) and I have been using steri strips to help keep things in place and encourage healing. Well, over the last couple of days my body decided to assert itself and rejected the port once and for all.  !!! Skip the next paragraph if you don'...

* * * * * * I published this post yesterday with the title "Send Good Vibes to My Platelets!" and have since learned that I 'passed' my bloodwork today and will be able to get my 4th treatment tomorrow, so THANK YOU, because your good vibes helped me believe that I would pass this test that I had very little control over. :)   * * * * * * As I suspected, it has been a lovely week full of long walks and time to enjoy my last few quiet days before summer break without any bad chemo side effects. I do have some growing anxiety about my blood test tomorrow; I have no way of knowing how much my platelets have recovered (or not recovered) and do not enjoy that feeling of helplessness. Finding the bright side of the situation helps, but that doesn't mean there isn't also worry. The delay in my treatment means that if my platelets have recovered and I get the green light for Thursday I will be at my pinnacle of shittiness for Miriam's graduation. It is not somethi...

Well, any of you who know me will understand that I don't like failing tests! Today I went for my pre-chemo bloodwork and my platelet level was lower than my oncologist would have liked. This means that tomorrow's treatment is postponed until next week. I find this annoying more than anything. I don't like changes in my schedule and I also dislike the thought of my treatment taking longer than I imagined.  The silver lining (because I am good at finding those) is that I get another week of feeling AMAZING. More walks, more fun, increased enjoyment of food...I'll take it! Even though I don't have a choice. :)  Also, more time to MAKE THINGS. This week I finished my latest embroidery sampler. It helped us learn 6 different 'filler' stitches and though it took a long time I love the different textures and colours. I'm thinking my nurses would dig it! Our visit with our Peterborough friends earlier this week was great. Like balm for my soul. We walked and pl...

My third chemo treatment was yesterday and so far I am feeling similar to last time. I've got a big wave of steroid-induced energy that will most certainly wear off tomorrow. This will (likely) be followed by a tired, foggy, grouchy Sunday and Monday followed by a better Tuesday, and incremental (but noticeable) improvements each day after that. About two weeks after treatment I feel as normal as can be, and I am grateful for that. My bloodwork on Wednesday showed that my blood is doing OK but my platelets were getting a bit low. This is to be expected, and can't really be helped. If they get too low, the consequence would be a delay in my next treatment, so I'm hoping this won't be the case because I'd really like to be able to stay on schedule. I like schedules! Chemo #3 Selfie My wishes for chemo #3 We have had a busy but uneventful last week. Science fair kept me busy on and off until yesterday. The long weekend was quiet but lovely. I experimented with some new...