Hi all, Happily, Val’s x-ray results show no signs of pneumonia. So we’ve been instructed to keep an eye on the cold, do all the things people do for colds, and return for medical attention if she should get a persistent or high fever. As someone who is always very Continue Reading
having colds
It’s hard to sort out chemo symptoms from cold symptoms, but it is looking like Val has a cold, after all. She’s been having chills and small fevers. Her temperature regulation systems are out of whack; TerriSue says that could also/partially be the low neutragen levels. She’s got a runny Continue Reading
cry then eat soup
The effects of the last chemo have lingered, but i don’t think i have cold. Just a runny nose (a common chemo side effect) and a bit of a sore throat. My carbon footprint has increased greatly just from my use of tissues. I ate bunches of herbs prescribed by Continue Reading
Saturday: kinda crummy
hey all, val’s energy dropped back down somewhat today. she’s worried she might be getting a cold, and her chemo aches and pains have not cleared up yet so she’s still popping tylenol. not so much fun. lots of movie watching, some short dog walks. she made us a wonderful Continue Reading
Friday update: a bit better every day
It’s been a busy week but we’ll write more soon. Val’s feeling better every day, although it’s tiresome to get better every cycle and then be knocked back down the exact same ways every time, only more so. She had bloodwork today that indicates her neutrophils are as low as Continue Reading
Tuesday: feeling noticeably better
Thank goodness. Pain still hovering but reduced; digestive system getting back online; jaw not so clenched. Joking observed. An evening desire for strawberry ice cream indulged. Things are looking up. D
go and come back
Day Four after chemo is typically a rotten day, and today is in line with the pattern. Val feels like crap. Joint pain bad enough to warrant Vicadin, which leads to its own problems with digestive functioning. Nausea, spaciness, and tingling numbness in her feet. A nasty metallic taste in Continue Reading
choosing the questions to ask
Hello dear folk, Val’s feeling fairly well today, although the usual post-chemo stuff is starting up. Her digestion’s a bit wacked out; the steroids make her face reddish and puffy and wake her up early; that sort of thing. She notes that each chemo cycle it seems that the effects Continue Reading
Good news: the tumor continues to shrink!
Greetings nearest and far-est and dearest, This morning we met with TerriSue at 7:30 to go over the details of Val’s bloodwork before chemo. Val mentioned that she had her second scan yesterday, and TerriSue replied, “I know,” and her face broke into a beaming smile. The prettiest smile I’ve Continue Reading
blood counts good
Hi team, Val’s pre-chemo blood counts today were good! Once again they just cleared the neutrophil high jump by about 50 spare cells. This means Val still doesn’t have to start the Neupagen shots. Fan-freaking-tastic. Tomorrow we learn the results of CAT scan number two, which happened this morning and Continue Reading