First let me start off with last night was not fun, as I indicated in my update to yesterday’s initial post, I retained fluid instead of eliminating it as should have happened. I felt like crap. I ordered an Uber for Hubby to go pick up my car from the repair shop, daughter came over to make the pot of chicken soup I was going to make, and I called the nurse at my oncology office and advised I was swelling. Daughter arrived, hubby got back with my car, and they took off to Costco to get the diuretic Rx.
While they were gone, I suddenly could not take wearing so much clothing. I just felt trapped, constricted, like I needed to be out of my body almost. Went and changed into my Captain America PJ’s, I needed some super hero strength. My head was still on the verge of full blown migraine, but I noticed when I would put just a little pressure around it that helped. On went the new cap I had just finished. I felt somewhat better.
Took the diuretic as soon as they got home, but stomach was still not happy with me. I found myself sitting on the edge of the sofa with my hands rubbing the top of the ottoman I has been using to prop up my legs, and gently rocking back and forth. That seemed to help me feel somewhat better. Laying down did not help, nor did just sitting. Walking/pacing was no good as that just intensified the overall yuck factor.
About 9:30 I was exhausted again, but too agitated still to sleep. Took my first dose of Olanzapine and waited for it to kick in. Went to bed shortly thereafter. Alarm I set on my phone went off at 12:35 am to remind me to take the Zofran, lo and behold I had to pee! It felt sooooo good to pee. When my husband got up later, he checked on me, yes, I am good, and went promptly back to sleep. Woke up from a reminder alarm to send a weekly email at work, and felt so much better and had to pee again!
My head no longer hurts, feeling a bit drained, like I could curl up and fall right back to sleep.
Now for the good news – we reviewed my genetic testing results today. I was tested for 36 different gene mutations that could indicate hereditary risk to various cancers and/or syndromes.
Results indicate I have two gene mutations with VUS – Variation with Unknown Significance. Both genes are linked to Colon Cancers, and I do have regular colonoscopies, so I am covered. When you receive a VUS designation, the recommendation is just to monitor under regular physician supervision, no additional therapies or testing is recommended at this time as they do not know what these mutations relate too, if anything. Every other gene tested came back negative for any type of mutation.
No one else in the family needs to be tested either. Such a great outcome!
Now, I think I might want to try eating a bit of breakfast and drink a cup of mint tea. And wait to see what else these mighty fine chemo warrior drugs try to do to me. Last night I was envisioning a mercenary Orcan army that once they have the blood lust, can’t tell the difference between good and bad cells, so they attacked them all while I yelled at them from my high observation spot, trying to direct the murderous hoard to The Lump. That was my meditation to fall asleep. It was a gruesome mediation, but strangely uplifting. Whatever works!
Life is strange…
Update
Yesterday one of the last things done at my chemo treatment was to apply a timed release of Neulasta to my arm. The instructions were it would blink a green light for the next 27 hours, then it would sound a chime of beeps, and the dose of Neulasta that they had primed it with. The unit would take about 45 minutes to administer the timed release dose. After the light went out I could remove the applied “disc”.
Right after the applied the disc, it sounded a beep, beep, beep and then it injected a catheter into my arm. Oh! Nurse told me oops forgot to warn you, yes the catheter goes in now. Ok, now I know. As I was sitting here just being tired today, all day, I heard the ping, ping, ping and then it started whirring, worked like a charm I took some Tylenol about an hour later to get ahead of any bone pain that might try to kick in. I loved that I could post a picture on Facebook saying I had “the machine that goes ping!” Love Monty Python.
Nurse from Oncology office called this afternoon to see how I was doing. Told her the saga of not peeing, and how 6 hours after taking the diuretic I was peeing again. She agreed that the water retention was the culprit of making me feel so crappy. Today no nausea, just super tired. Nurse was happy with how I am dealing. We shall see what tomorrow brings. One day at a time, one day at a time. TCST – Treatable, Cureable, Survivable and Temporary.
Oh and I forgot to mention, I had flowers waiting for me when I got home from Chemo yesterday. My wonderful cousin loves me so much!
That’s wonderful news about the genetic test results! One less thing to worry about. Lumpectomy, here I come.