EIGHTH TREATMENT TODAY

Had my first Meals on Wheels delivered to me today about 12:15.  It was lima beans and rice with a link of sausage and lettuce, tomato, and cucumber salad with peach cobbler dessert.  Milk and bread were included but I don't drink milk and bread does not go down well now.  However, I did enjoy my meal.  It was so good not to have to prepare my own food, which is sometimes exhausting.  

Drove myself to treatment today.  While there, Sarah the Financial Advisor told me that I should have an answer to my request for assistance tomorrow.  I told her I also had an application from Camille to fill out and return to her for assistance.  Sarah explained that they were two different requests.  One was for Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and the other was for Terrebonne General Hospital.  Glad to hear that.  Hope I get some assistance from at least one of them.

Had my treatment which gets easier and easier each time then drove home.  Fixing a snack and then a nap.

Eight down and 27 to go.

SEVENTH TREATMENT TODAY

Got a call from the Cancer Center saying that the machine is down and not to come in today.  I was a little disappointed as that would push my finish date back again.  

I took this opportunity to go into the hospital and speak to someone in financial services.  She corrected a bill I had received and advised not to pay it just yet but to wait to see if I would be approved for financial assistance.  Said my our of pocket cost for treatment will be $60 per treatment.  Gave me a form to fill out.  Then I went home.

A little later they called back and said I could come in at 6:15 for my treatment as they had fixed the machine.   So off I went.

Saw the nurse and she asked me a lot of questions about symptoms.   I told her about the nausea that comes and goes.  She wrote down what I said.

Then the Oncologist came into the room and looked at my throat.  Asked about my PEG tube adapter leaking and I informed him that I had purchased a replacement online and will have a nurse friend of mine install it.  He said I was doing great and that my lymph nodes had indeed reduced a great deal which is a good sign.  Wants to see me again on Friday.  Then I went in for my treatment.

Feeling pretty good right now.

SIXTH TREATMENT TODAY

Drove myself to treatment today.  All went well.  I only took one Xanax as I am getting more relaxed during treatment.  Still having mild nausea which got a little worse today.  Glad I'm off for two days before another treatment.

Came home and was hungry so got some Chinese - Won Ton Soup and Pork and Mixed Vegetables and enjoyed eating which seems to ease the nausea.

Tonight my throat is hurting just a little.  This is the first time.  My lymph node seems to be reducing in size which is good news.

Only have 29 more to go.

FIFTH TREATMENT TODAY - 30 MORE TO GO

Had an appointment with the Council on Aging to complete an application for Meals on Wheels.  The process took an hour and a half.  I'll start receiving lunch next week at around 10:00 am.  I'm thankful for that as I don't much feel like cooking anymore.  I'm still having bouts of nausea.  Today was all day long even after eating and drinking.  I didn't mention it to the staff at the cancer center as it is no use because they are convinced it is not from radiation treatment.  I'll find some OTC meds that might help.

Drove myself to treatment without any problems.  After treatment went to the financial office to discuss a recent bill I received for almost $500.  Again they found a mistake on the bill.  Said it was more like $250 but to speak to another worker who was busy at the time.  I was feeling weak so went home and will try again tomorrow. 

Came home and ordered some food from Applebees at 5:00 and ate then went to sleep.  The dogs woke me up at 7:00 asking to go outside.  The nausea was pretty bad at this time so I just let them out to the back yard.

FOURTH TREATMENT TODAY

Had an appointment with my ENT doctor today.  Told him about the bad experience I had with the Radiation Oncologist when he scoped me some weeks back.  I asked if he could scope me in the future and report to the Oncologist his findings.  He said I could request that from the Oncologist and see what happens.  He wants to see me again in two months.

I then went in to the Cancer Center for my treatment.  The nurse greeted me and asked how I was doing.  I again told her I was still having light nausea and she again dismissed it as not being caused by the radiation.  I replied that I relieve it when I increase my food consumption as well as drink more water.  She ignored this.

The treatments seem to get easier and easier each time.  Today I saw the eye of Electa 3 times and then it was over.  I hadn't noticed this before but that is a good way to gauge my time on the table.  Also, there is a noticeable reduction of my lymph node which is amazing to occur just after 3 treatments.

Then I met with the Dietician.  Very pleasant person who gave me information on how many calories I will need to ingest daily (1879) and how many grams of protein (92).  She also recommended Boost Glucose Controlled and Glucerna 1.2 or 1.5 in a can due to my diabetes.  Encouraged lots of fruits and vegetables.  I think I'll try doing that with smoothies.  There is a Smoothie King across the street from my house.   Very positive meeting.  I will be meeting with her on Wednesday from now on.

Drove myself to both appointments today.  Not a problem.

THIRD TREATMENT TODAY

This morning I was still suffering from pain in my rectum as well as bleeding.  I got online to search for something to apply externally.  Found something called Anorectal Cream with Lidocaine.  Also bought some medicated wipes at Walgreens.  The cream is expensive at $24 for a small tube but well worth it.  My pain now is minimal and I had a normal bowel movement today.  Still painful to do but not like before.  Then I clean up and apply more cream.  It is hard to sit in a chair and I spend most of my time lying on the sofa or in bed.  

My brother drove me to my 3rd treatment today.  I told the nurse about my bowel obstruction and she immediately said that was not from the radiation.  I find that strange as I read on various cancer survivor sites that radiation can cause constipation.   

I also met with my Oncologist who said we will meet every Monday then later on will meet twice a week.  He looked at my throat briefly.  I told him about the bowel obstruction and pain I have had in the last 4 days.  I told him it was  probably from the pain meds I had been on from the PEG tube surgery.  He said that may cause me problems later on down the road when I will experience much pain and will need lots of pain meds.  He said to continue to take stool softeners daily and mentioned Senokot which is what I am taking.

I then told him about the mild nausea and headaches that come and go and he said that was not from the radiation.  How can he generalize that everyone experiences reactions the same way?  I didn't argue with him but there are many stories online of cancer patients who experience nausea from the first treatment.

I had other questions but he referred me to the dietician who I will be seeing on Wednesday.  He gave me a script for Hydrocortisone cream 2.5% for my neck.  That was it.  A very brief meeting.  I am not comfortable with this doctor.  He has this habit of offering his hand to me for a handshake when he wants to end the session.  He did it 3 times today but I kept asking questions.  He did the same thing on our last meeting.  He seems unconcerned and I don't like him.  

JUST LIKE GIVING BIRTH

After 4 days of painful bowel obstruction, at 3:30 this afternoon I finally expelled the large stool.  It was extremely painful but I felt immediate relief.  Although I am still in pain from all the trauma done to my rectum, I can pass runny stool with little effort now.  Later, I eased the pain by placing my heating pad set on low to the area.  That helped with the pain a lot.  I will take a stool softener daily from now on.  I see my Oncologist tomorrow and will ask for a recommendation on a softener.  I don't ever want to go through that again.

I felt so good this evening that I cooked some shrimp and potatoes and enjoyed my first real meal in 4 days.  Hoping I get a good night's sleep tonight as I only slept a few hours last night.

I'm not sure if this obstruction was from the pain pills I was taking or from the two radiation treatments I have had.  I guess I will find out soon enough if it happens again while I continue treatment without taking pain meds.