New Chemo developments, Sept 20

Well, it has been several weeks since I last posted. Hopefully you all have not abandoned checking the blog.
I have been in and out of the hospital several times since Sept 5, my last post.
I thought I was getting thru the last heavy dose of chemo ok but then I couldn't keep anything down on Wednesday nite-almost a week from the chemo treatment. I called the 24 hour emergency number and the next morning the doctor wanted me to come in for IV liquids. I was there most of the day-Thursday and on Friday they gave me the lighter chemo and kept me all day for more IV fluids. I was finally able to eat again on Friday nite-pasta!!!!! and this past week was much better.

Except...I started having trouble with my right foot and ankle. It started on Monday and by Wednesday I was hobbling around at work. When I got home I realized my ankle was swollen and I called my sister, Kate, for advice about how to get the swelling down. Good thing I did!!!! She told me to call the 24 hour emergency number, that it was probably a blood clot.

They wanted me to go the emergency room right away and get it checked out. Thursday morning my friend, Mary, and I went back for an ultrasound and an appt with my doctor. We were there most of the day and the result was--yes--I do have a clot in my ankle. The doctor wants me on blood thinners-not the ones I can take a pill for--no--I have to have a shot every day for the next 3 months!!! which unfortunately means I have to learn to give myself these shots. Yuk!!! But I did give one yesterday and will have to do it again tomorrow. Surprisingly it isn't as bad as I had thought. I guess when you have to do it, you do!!!

So that catches you all up to present day. I have been busy trying to get myself better and when I'm at home all I have been doing is resting/sleeping/eating.

This Friday, Sept 26, I will have the 3rd heavy chemo. Yea!!! only 1 more of those after this week. The others will be the lighter one that is much more tolerable. So this weekend I will stay with Kate and family and with more drugs and IV fluids I am confident this weekend will be better than the last 2. At least I now know when things are going wrong and I should cry for help.

Love,
Franny

Chemo 9-5

Another tough weekend after receiving the more aggressive chemo. I got many more drugs and even steroids to help me through the aftermath but still I've been throwing up and not able to eat much. Jello and ginger ale are my mainstays!

We discovered that the trigger baddie is water. So I cant drink that. Yesterday (Saturday) was a blur of sleeping and ... wont talk about it any further.

Today is the Steeler game. So hopefully it will be a GOOD day!!! Love the black & gold!!!

Here's the good news!!! Only 2 more doses of this type if chemo. The other type is not at all hard to deal with. So I'm 1/2 done with the bad stuff!!!

love,
Franny