stessie

My last chemo was March 16 and I received the neulasta shot on 3/17. The neulasta shot normally rebuilds the white blood cells. I was feeling somewhat drained and just attributed this to cumulative chemo. I went to our daughter's house to watch our grandson and felt okay at 8 am. By 10 am I was vomiting and had diarrhea but with no fever. I then began to see stars so called my husband and daughter, and then the oncologist. We went to the cancer center at the hospital where I am receiving treatmnt and my blood pressure was 65/42. I thought there was something wrong with the machine as I had never seen it that low. The oncologist admitted me to the hospital and my white blood cell count was at .5 and my red bloos cell count was very low. They put me in isolation and began administering antibiotics and giving me neuprogren shots. I received two units of blood on one day. I received another unit on another day. I have never received blood so this was a new experience for me.. When you receive blood, they monitor your vitals every 45 minutes to make sure there is no reaction. On the way to the hospital, I felt so bad that I thought for the first time ever "well, this could be the day." I am happy our creator has other plans. It was amazing but I also felt the presence of my mom who passed away over 10 years ago walking "this walk" with me with her hand on my shoulder tellling me I am here with you. I am on my way to recovery. My white blood cell count has gone from .5 to 14.8 which is a good thing. The blood transfusions are getting my blood pressure up to almost 90/60. I am just looking forward to getting home and enjoying some outdoor sunshine. I have faith this part of my recovery journey will soon be over and life will return to some sense of normalcy (maybe a week without doctor appointments and etc.). Thanks for listening...I just had to put what has been happening in writing so I csn move on. I am so thankful for Stroke Net.

I just read both Part 1 and Part 2. I would like to make it all better for you in a minute but that's not possible. It is hard and it will be difficult as you move beyond the divorce to make your own life. But, you can do it...you are a stroke survivor and did so much to recover. I applaud all that you have done to date and where you are with your health challenges...back to work and driving. Fred provided some very good advice, too. Please keep blogging and keeping us posted. There are certain to be lonely times especially in the wee hours of the morning...Stroke Net is here for 24/7.

Hi, Janice I, too, got a little addicted to Facebook and am edging off. It's been mostly since I was diagnosed with cancer and going through surgeries, doctor appts., blood work, tests and etc. While I was able to watch our grandson, I wasn't able to get out and volunteer as much and some days it was just difficult to get out of bed right after chemo. I reconnected with so many friends, former classmates, colleagues, and etc. Fortunately, I didn't play any of the games or get hooked on them. I am glad to see your posting...I had planned this week to begin weaning off since chemo was over last week. As soon as I get my strength back, I'll be out in the yard gardening and volunteering (thank goodness). I hope you are able to wean off, too.

I say chemo is over yet I know in my heart cancer can raise its ugly head and come back again...so I am praying the chemo I had this week was my final. I am sitting here with the after effects of the neulasta shot which was given the day after chemo (they rescheduled the final chemo for March 16). The shot is a good thing and will, hopefully, keep my white blood cell count rising. The awful side effect is that it settles in my arm, leg and foot where I have stroke deficits and is painful. This was my fourth and final shot, and the pain yesterday and today has brought tears to my left side deficits. When I walk, I feel as though I am moving blocks of heavy cement. I will, however, get through all of this and move on with life. I am so anxious to have a week of no blood work, doctor's appointments, and etc. It will feel so good to get outside and begin walking again and to feel the warmth of the sun on my body. I did a photo shoot for the Susan G. Komen Cure for Cancer and my photo along with that of two other wonderful ladies will be be on posters and billboards around town. Even though there is no hair, the eyes can tell a story of a cancer patient. My two daughters and I are finalists for a Dove soap commercial. I have been loyal to Dove for many, many years. What amazed the folks at Dove is how my facial skin retained as much moisture as it did through weeks and months of radiation and chemo. I used a ton of moisturizer! The girls are really excited about this! I am working on an Educational Media Campaign for Post-Stroke Spasticity. The national spokesperson is Henry "the Foz" Winkler as he cared for his mother for many years after her stroke. I feel so much more info is needed out there in the public for stroke awareness and more funding from Congress. I'm in a recovery mode with much to look forward to in the future. I continued watching our grandson two days a week during surgeries, radiation, and chemo and look forward to keeping on doing this. I would like to see stroke awareness rise to where breast cancer is in terms of recognition and funding. I couldn't have made it this far without my Stroke Net friends. Thanks for being here for me. Hey, I should have hair begin to grow back in about three weeks and wonder if it will be newly curly or dark colored or grey. Whatever, I will just be glad to have it. Thanks to everyone!

Spring is renewal time and there's nothing better than a deep breath of fresh air. I hope your snow is gone. We here in Ohio had quite a long winter and it is especially gratifying to hear birds singing, frogs chirping, flowers blooming, and etc. Keep on getting out as you are able. It makes such a huge difference.

Wow, the five weeks went by quickly. They probably didn't to you or William but I recall when he started. How do you feel he has done? After I did my volunteer studies, I asked family members to accompany me and give me their thoughts. I did this along with the PTs. They were able to offer some additional insight as to how I could continue to improve in my daily life. William is so fortunate to have you actively involved as his caregiver. It makes a huge difference and early on can help so with his recovery journey.

Sue, What an energetic and busy day! There was a variety of differerent people and things going on. It is beginning to warm here in Ohio and my thoughts are going to the yard. We have daffodils coming up and after the long, hard winter...they are more beautiful than ever. Stessie

Thanks for returning...we are stll here. Look forward to more blogs.

I enjoy your updates!

Leah, sending healing thoughts your way....

Great blog, Fred! I have reminded myself of this daily with cancer. I survived a stroke and I can survive cancer...even if I walk with a limp and am bald. I just keep smiling at folks when we are out and the majority smile back. There is life after stroke and for me, I hope to have many more years.

Jan, it is so good to see you blogging. Beau is very fortunate to have found his new parents just as you are to have found him. Life throws us challenges and the workarounds can take us on paths we didn't expect. Harley will always be a part of your life and family, and he would want you and Wayne to experience joy again. I'm glad your path that evening on FB took you to the website where you saw Beau. Good to have you back on Stroke Net. We missed you a great deal.

Kevin With all of the changes taking place in your life, you will find new meaning and repurposing. Sit down, put down on paper where you desire to be, and determine how you are going to get there. Take a walk and give it a great deal of thought. Talk to others who have been on a similar path. Stessie

Congratulations! I have been watching some of this on tv and it is just incredible...you are fortunate to be able to reside in the city in which it is being held. Hey, we have some extra snow here in Ohio we will gladly send your way....

You have been one busy individual...I am glad you are continuing with treatment. Please keep us posted on your progress.

Kevin, if you are able...go for it! There are state programs associated with disability that can help fund training. Good luck!

My next round of chemo is scheduled for February 23 and if I can stay healthy, my final will be March 19. Just wanted to blog tonight about some of the unpleasant side effects (maybe just to get them off my mind): 1) Your nose drip, drip, drips all day once you lose your nostril hair. It's really more annoying than anything. 2) My chemo drip takes 6 hours...that's a lot of talking with the person who came with you, reading, and listening to music. 3) Day 3 and 4 after chemo seem to be the most difficult...that's when side effects begin happening. 4) The neulasta shot given within 24 hours after receiving your chemo (to increase white blood cell count) strikes me with bone pain on my stroke affected side and has been very painful. The cost for each shot is $3,000 and I have a 20% percent co-pay (ouch). 5) Cancer is very expensive...co-pays on radiation, chemo, doctor visits, and etc. 6) I lost my hair on Day 12 after my first chemo. When it started coming out in clumps, I asked my daughter if I looked like Uncle Fester. I have some fun wigs and hats. 7) I have lost over 20 pounds since the first of the year. You really do not have an appetite and the smell of some foods can cause you to gag. 8) Sores in the mouth from chemo begin a few days after you receive it and are there for about 7 more days...I do use non-alcoholic mouth wash and another prescribed medicine. 9) There are so many pills associated with cancer and chemo that it scares me. The day before each chemo treatment I have to take 10 steroid pills. Of course, you are so wired the night before treatment that on my last round, I cleaned the refrigerator and freezer at 3 am. You take pills to combat neausea, stomach ailments, skin rashes, and etc. 10) Everyone gets it...it's either constipation or diarhea, and there are more pills for this. 11) My veins are holding up well. I elected not to have a port put in as this was another surgery and another co-pay. 12) No leg shaving, underarm shaving, and etc. as the hair goes away after the first chemo. 13) Fatigue associated with chemo....believe me, it's real. 14) When you go in on chemo day, you PRAY you will receive it. Whoever thought I would be asking for and praying for chemo. Once your blood work comes back, it is determined whether or not you will proceed. I am trying to stay healthy so I can get this over with. 15) There are so many doctor appointments. It will be nice when this is over to have a week without them. And, I have met some of the nicest people on this cancer journey. I go to a Support Group each Tuesday night for folks in active breast cancer treatment and have made some nice friends. I have a good team of doctors and I love the oncology staff at the hospital. I am praying that I beat breast cancer and can return to some sense of normalcy in life. I know it can happen as I came back from stroke in April of '07. For the most part, I have a positive attitude...but there are a few days when you are vomiting, have bone pain, and etc. that it really can get to you. Thanks for listening. I just felt like blogging tonight and sharing some of the experience.

Enjoy your updates.

Wow! What an experience. Thanks for sharing your tips.

Looking forward to your pics!

Sue, I always learn so much from you...what a great post.

Congratulations! You have come so far in the past year and will continue to make progress. Never give up! I have enjoyed your postings and blogs. Stessie

Sue, thinking of you. I read your notes and suddenly losing all of my hair from cancer yesterday doesn't seem all that bad. You are in my thoughts and prayers as is Ray.

We had that happen to us once, too. I pay pretty close attention now to all bills. It is amazing how it can be done and then we have to clean it up.

Volunteering will get you involved and engaged in other activities. I stroked in April of '07 and have been volunteering for several years. I didn't return to work so this has provided an opportunity to help others and to make new friends. You can do it...the first thing is to identify what interests you and where you want to devote some time and effort...then pick up the phone and make a call. Good luck.