Day after Round 2 - BIG CHANGE!!!!

8/4/11

I believe my cocktails were changed, because I slept through the night and actually woke up at 8am!!  I’m still awake at 4pm!!!  Amazing!!!  Chris gave me my Neulasta shot around 2pm, so those lovely side effects will come later on.  Other than that, I’m feeling MUCH better today than I did day 2 of Round 1.  AMAZING!!!  Not hungry, but I have had lots to drink and a couple pieces of bread (strange – I only can eat FRESH bread as bagged loaves seem to upset my tummy).

On a lighter note, Yankees are still kicking ass and face their bitter rivals, the Red Sox this weekend!

My Uncle’s FAVORITE TEAM!!! 

CHEMO - ROUND 2

8/3/11

From: Reggie
Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2011 9:51 PM
Subject: Round 2

Round 2 Chemo today!  Got the Benadryl & Ativan up front so I went to lah-lah land within the first hour.  Drugs are amazing things – my body NEEDS the sleep so I welcomed it.

Of course, no trip to ANY facility is boring when the “Reggie Show” is in town:

I tried to fight the IV potions by talking and had Breda laughing with my slurred tones and non-sensical quips.  Then I said I think I’m gonna pass out now and did mid-sentence.  So, I conked out with my mouth open and everything.

Next my chair got bumped when I was in a deep sleep (accidentally of course) and I startled awake like a baby would: arms & legs shooting forward and up (I sit in a recliner) with a surprised look on my face.  The nurse apologized and asked if I was all right, to which I replied, “I was sound asleep.” And proceeded to conk out again. Yes, mouth open and everything! J  I heard the laughter as I slipped back down the spiral stairs to Sleepytown.

I woke briefly to see Breda back from the cafeteria where she giggled about getting chili and a bagel (not her usual fair AT ALL).  I asked if it was goooood, she giggled again & I said that it was worth the points then (Weight Watchers). And I proceeded to zonk out again, but on a lighter cloud because once again I heard laughter (yes at my expense) and a faraway voice say, “Of course she’s out cause now it’s time to go.” More giggling in the background.

Yes, I can make anything fun for others! ;P

Got home around 1:30pm, ate some homemade chicken soup (cause I think ahead), apparently typed an email or 3 then went to bed (till 9pm).  So, daughter, sister, niece, friend is doing oK today and ready for the week to come!!

LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

Sometimes yah just gotta SLEEP!

8/2/11

Got 8 hrs. sleep after Chris’ nighttime cocktail.  YAY!  Still have bags under my eyes, but at least I’m not as miserable.

More dealing with Uncle Bobby’s situation and stressing to the Case Mgr. & Hospice that today is the last coherent day for me since tomorrow is chemo.  I tell them I won’t be able to make decisions till Monday, so they hustle and bustle (for them anyway) and after mucho research and phone calls by ME we get my uncle placed in a Hospice Home in Ormond Beach.  At least he’ll be made comfortable.

Chemo again tomorrow.  Back to square one.  At least I have my Uncle placed now.  Maybe I’ll sleep?  NOT!!!!  It’s 2:53AM and I’m WIDE AWAKE!!

Restless Days and SLeepless Nights!

7/30/11

Another 3 hrs only of sleep-less nights

8/1/11

Another 4 hrs only of sleep-less nights

I go chrome dome then Gangsta AND couldn’t resist Mrs. Clean, Mrs. Clean!!!  Now I need a photo with the tootsie pop and a sidekick named Crocker!!  How many men have heard their wife say, "Honey?  Can you shave my head?  I can't stand the sporatic bits of hair!"

THe BUZZ

7/28/11
Buzzed my head down to ¼” to alleviate the pain – it worked. By the time I took a shower this evening, the hair was coming out in droves so I’m glad I did it! My head still hurts though and I look like my brother’s Air Force entry photo from 1978.

 

 

Hair BUZZ

7/26/11                               

Whelp, my friends were right…having your hair come out in CLUMPS is NOT pleasant.  So, after pacing for about an hour, I take my hubby’s advice and go see Cookie at the Plaza Barbers. Can you say THIRD GRADE?!?!?

So, now I’m dealing with my epidermis feeling like it’s been tenderized. Why?  My guess, the hair follicles are being killed and pushed upward through my pores so all this pressure HURTS!!!  Hurts a little less with the shorter hair though.

WEEK 2 POST--CHEMO

7/21 - 7/22
Feeling more hydrated now and drinking LOTS of Gatorade!!! Still not up to par though – bloating continues along with the other gastro side effects (YUCK!) and I’m still wicked sensitive to the heat. 

I get my 2^nd saline fluids on Friday 7/22 so I’m “set” for the weekend.  Yeah, I feel a lot better!!  NOW, however, I’m dealing with my SKIN hurting!!  Strange sensation, liked I’m bruising all over, and dry tearing eyes.  Could this be the start of the dreaded hair loss?  I think it is since the bruised feeling are where I have hair.  Here comes the loop-de-loop on the roller coaster. WOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

7/23/11

I go for a short morning outage with Betty to the Arboretum Iris show and sale.  Yeah, flowers will get me outta the house anytime.  Betty drives (bless her) and we have a hard time picking all the tubers out, but we somehow manage.  I’m happy with our purchases, but now I’m strangely tired.  Nah, not strange at all!  We get back home and I’m done for the day.  Back to bed!

7/25/11

So, was this enough for me to be going through?  Another...NOT!!!!  I get a call that my Uncle Bobby (Mom’s brother) isn’t answering his phone and no one’s heard from him since Saturday (3 days).  Long story short – after the police break in, they find him on the floor confused.  Let’s just say – I will go through a week as his POA and decision maker on his short journey Home.  I wanna go down sooo bad, but cannot due to chemo.  To quote the Madagascar Penguins, “Well this Sux!”