Sunday, January 4, 2009

I have had a definite lack of energy since restarting the Chemo here in ABQ and it has certainly taken a toll on my hair.  Still have some on top of the head and around the edges, but it is fading fast as have my eyelashes as well as all body hair.  Only good thing is that it also slows beard growth and only need to shave about every 3rd or 4th day!!!   Also, I must stay away from all crowds and anyone who is coughing or sneezing because my white cell count down means immune system is at a low ebb.   The first update since we came home from Houston and actually started Chemo here at home in Albuquerque.   As I have stated before, we really like our Woman who is the Oncologist here at MD Anderson in ABQ .  The plan from Houston was to get two very large doses of Chemo three weeks apart and then have three weeks before going back to Houston for the tests and reports on how well the treatment has done for me.    That schedule is being followed except that she broke up the first Chemo session into three because to take that big a dose, one really needs big doses of steroids just prior to the treatment and there was not time to do that at the time of the first session.  So, I have been getting Chemo  three weeks in a row including Christmas eve and New Years Eve !!  This past Friday I had to go in for a shot and I will do it again tomorrow (Monday) . A shot to stimulate my bone marrow into making more white blood cells because my white cell count is way down due to the Chemo.  On Tuesday I will have blood test and if the count is still down will get a third shot.  I will receive two big doses of Steroids Tuesday Nite and Wed Morning and then receive the BIG dose of Chemo.  That will be the last treatment for now and on Jan 27 MDA Houston will perform a Pet scan (determines if cancer is present and if so, exactly where) among other tests to determine if all this since near the first of September has worked or not.  I SAY IT WORKED!!  From those results the Dr. there will determine if anything else is needed or when to return for further testing.  

I have had a definite lack of energy since restarting the Chemo here in ABQ and it has certainly taken a toll on my hair.  Still have some on top of the head and around the edges, but it is fading fast as have my eyelashes as well as all body hair.  Only good thing is that it also slows beard growth and only need to shave about every 3rd or 4th day!!!   Also, I must stay away from all crowds and anyone who is coughing or sneezing because my white cell count down means immune system is at a low ebb.  

These shots that I am getting to stimulate my bone marrow most of the time makes the person's bones hurt all over the body.  So far, no such thing has happened to me.  Perhaps a second and/or third shot will do that!!  

Till next Update, Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.  Stan