Welcome to my blog dedicated to my Journey with Teal....Ovarian Cancer. This blog is where I will make updates to my treatments and tests....hoping to keep blog friends updated and answer any questions from visitors. I did not pick this journey, but am doing the best I know how to walk strong and gracefully, with my Lord's continual strength!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Just letting you know....

I am really struggling with this blood pressure issue and the new chemo. I have yet to be on the chemo for more than 3 days (it is pills) before I have to be taken off and deal with my b/p. I have never dealt with anything like this and frankly....I don't like it. I am now on the max of the current b/p meds and we still need to see if that will work.

I feel ok, course, that is because of the lack of chemo....but, need to get this stable.

Just checking in.....

Ceekay

Monday, March 29, 2010

Monday's Dr. Appt.

Things are going much better. I am feeling pretty good. Actually got to go to church on Sunday, and with make-up on to boot!
Saw my oncologist today and he is pleased. My blood pressure is still giving us issues, but they uped the b/p meds and hopefully that will help.
I am telling you, they are wonderful people at Premier Oncology. I can tell that I really matter to them....not just a number. I really appreciate that.

Went and picked up a few groceries with my hubs and now I am home....

Thank you as always for your continued thoughts and prayers.

Ceekay

Friday, March 26, 2010

Update...

I AM feeling better. The "betterer" I get, the more I realize how sick I was.

All my blood work is back to normal, so I am back on the chemo, just a lesser dose. Hopefully, this will be the answer.

I actually ate a bit of a real supper last night! Oh, I love food. I shouldn't, but I do!

My head seems clearer, so I am trying to touch base with a few blogs.

Thanks for hanging in there with me!!! You are the best!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

I think I just missed the hospital

Went to the doctor Monday and one look at me and they knew I was sick, sick, sick. They took tons of tests and gave me IV fluids. My liver is not outputting like it should, my blood pressure is sky high...they took me off the chemo until Friday and hopefully I will feel better. Then the dosage is going to be lowered.
Mercy. A little over a week ago I was enjoying time with Tom and Rose. Now I am down for the count, and trust me, today I feel better!!
My doctor was very concerned and took wonderful care of me.
Well, that it is for right now.....I will try to post later this week.

Ceekay

Friday, March 19, 2010

Chemo day #whatever!

Not a lot new here. I am struggling to get used to this new medication. I pretty
much am sleeping the day away...but, for whatever reason...can't stay asleep at night. Tonight we are going to try Advil PM.

Oh how I wish I could write that I feel better, but honestly, I don't. They said I should level out the next week or so....I hope that is true.

I am visiting, but sometimes, I don't feel like typing...

I am so thankful my hubby has been home with me. He just went to get me some ice cream. I hope that will taste good.

Better days are coming. That is my hope!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

New chemo day 3

First of all....I am doing better. Today was a short day so I came home and slept 5 hours.
Last night was NOT a good night. The problem I am having is that the drug they are giving me causes elevated blood pressure. So not only am I taking a new chemo drug, I am having them try to find the dosage for the b/p.
I don't know if it was stress, or combo of drugs...but I was up every hour on the hour. I was sick to my stomach once....and I was just uneasy. They gave me permission today to use Advil PM so hopefully that will help.
All in all, today has gone much better. What a week!

And to answer your questions about going outside yesterday...per the protocol of the drug, I had to be "watched" at all times, so I could not go outside. But that is over now.

You guys are so great to check in and encourage me. It really helps me. I must admit, emotions have been very high this week. I don't do "sick" very well.

Prayerfully, for me and my hubs....we will sleep tonight.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

New chemo day 2

ok, I am sitting in the chemo chair as we speak....and here is what is happening..I had the first treatment Monday...all went fine. Tuesday came in and had blood work and bp done...all good. Went home and had a headache. Took a nap...woke up..headache...took another nap...yep, still headache. Went to bed and woke up again this morning with headache. Threw clothes on and got to oncologist for more chemo and told them about the headache. Gave me tylenol...nothing. Finally gave me Motrin and the headache went away...hallelujah...ok....day goes on - another 12 hour one....and my bp starts to go up, which is a side effect of this chemo. Finally, it is decided no more chemo today....and starting me on a mild hp med. Yeah! (btw...that is not a yeah I won the lottery, it is a yeah - lucky me) Have to come back tomorrow to see if I can continue the chemo as planned....or if I need to have bp meds up'd.
I hope I don't have to stay here all day tomorrow too. I don't know if I told you this, but they won't even let me go outside....and it is so pretty here right now. Thank God for laptops!
Thank you for all the encouragement and prayers. I check them all day long!
I did meet a wonderful fellow fighter today...we talked for several hours and that was good...oh, and I had a wonderful ham sandwich for lunch. Hey, gotta find joy in the day!!!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Ugh!

Let's start with the good news! The nurses were able to do the treatment on my port and after an hour and a half, the blood started to flow! Yeah! Now they know that I am growing like a scar inside the tubing, but they can dissolve it!
I am tolerating the new chemo good so far. Really no side effects...but of course, I have only had it one day so far!
Why the ugh? I am exhausted. No, I mean really exhausted. I have slept 4 hours today and I am still tired. Yesterday was a 15 hour day with the driving. I had blood pressure, ekgs, and blood draws every half hour for 4 hours, then every hour for 4 hours, then every 2 hours for 4 hours. Plus I could not leave the chemo office. I couldn't even go outside. Those kind of days wear me out. And I do it again tomorrow. (Is there a word for whining???)
Oh how I pray this stuff works.
Anyways, that is why I have been MIA.
I hope all of you are having a great week and NOT at the doctor's office! But thank God for them.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Enjoying Life!

It is amazing to me how much perkier I feel when I am not taking any kind of chemo. I don't realize how much of a difference it makes. I have felt so good this week. I have been enjoying the warmer weather too.
My dear friend Rose from A Hint of Home is coming in Tuesday to visit with her hubby. I can't wait. Everything is ready.
Today is the day for getting nails done and hair trimmed.
I hope you are having a good week.

I appreciate the good days so much! I will be back the end of next week.

Ceekay

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

I survived - barely

Today I had my day of testing. Anything you want to know about my body??? I am sure they have an answer. Blood, physical, ekg, complete eye exam, and the lovely CT scan. Seriously, I don't know if I will let them do another CT scan. The premeds are not helping the chest pain I have starting one hour after the test and lasting about 3 hours. My husband thinks it may be indigestion, but I have never had indigestion and if that is it...I don't know how people live with it. It feels like a heart attack and I am not exaggerating. I have googled it every way I know how and it appears only me and one other person have ever experienced it. They tell me at the testing place that it is not an allergic reaction because those start right away. Seriously, here I am taking every kind of poison to stay alive with cancer and I am going to drop over dead from a CT scan.
I am feeling better now though. And my eyes are finally letting me see clearly again. I really liked the opthamologist. He was speaking some German to me and I could pick some of it out. My grandparents spoke German. That was kinda fun....not like Hawaii kind of fun...but fun!
I guess they are going to give my port a treatment when I start my new chemo. They have not been able to get blood out of it. It runs in ok, but not out. Mercy. This makes me sound like an invalid. I am NOT. But maybe someone will read this with the same issue and it will help them. Anyways, there is a "treatment" that they put in for a couple of hours and it should clear up any clotting or whatever. They use heparin all the time, but that isn't helping. I hope this works because they AIN'T put another port in IF I can help it.
Ok, I guess you are probably sick of hearing my woes. I know I am!!!
Tomorrow, I am getting flowers for my pots outside. I always love the pretty colors for a few months before the horrible heat fries them!!

Monday, March 1, 2010

More tests...whoopee!

I will have a day of testing tomorrow....and you all KNOW how I love that. Unfortunately, I am having another CT scan. They are upping my pre-meds to see if that helps with the side effects. I hope so.
I have been busy visiting with fellow bloggers last week. We had such fun. Plus, I am trying to do some extra cleaning as my company comes in next Tuesday. I am getting excited.
I had some kind of bug yesterday. Fever and chills. But I am fine now. It seems if I go out with a lot of people I tend to pick up something. It never lasts long, but I am sure it has something to do with my stamina levels and immunity. Over all though, I can't complain. I am still able to take care of me and my home. Just little bits at a time!
I am going to post some pictures soon on this blog of all the cute teal items people have given me.

I will post on Wednesday hopefully how Tuesday goes.

Thankful every day for all your comments and prayers.

Ceekay