Laura's here and made an 8:00 AM appointment yesterday with Dr. Nelson, who said the reason for my fatigue could simply be cancer, or it could be a prolonged side effect from radiation, or dehydration, or other things that I don't recollect. We talked with her for a while and then did various tests on various floors (they wheeled me around in a wheelchair.) Chest X-ray, and an hour of hydration, and a trying time with a nurse trying to get blood out of a vein three different times. Finally she tried another vein and it was fine. Anna Dowling, the nurse, called later and said I have a bladder infection which they want to give me 7 days of antibiotics for. I've had it for 2 or 3 months, was getting used to it. I might have been able to get rid of it drinking corn silk tea. But I didn't. Botheration.
Life at this point seems to be a big chore, or more accurately an endless stream of chores, many of which I used to take pleasure in (or barely notice.)
Dr. Nelson asked me if I was still interested in doing the chemotherapy that we talked about. I replied that I was still planning on it but I had also been planning on feeling a lot better than I do now. I wonder if I'm going to have to change the game plan on that. What if I don't regain my energy? Unknown.
Having said all that, I feel a bit more energetic now.
I got the Chinese lozenges. They are very strong but not too sweet.
If you have emailed me, or given me something, please forgive me if I haven't replied. I have not been able to keep up with things.
I was really happy to see you looking better last night! And it was lovely to see Laura, too. Let the sunshine in....XOXO
ReplyDeleteHi hun, I miss you! Can't wait to see you when we get back! I don't see why Nelson thinks it might be "prolonged" side effect from the radiation. My boyfriend said you'd feel fatigue, not so much during, but after the radiation. From what we learned on line, from patients, family of patients and a radiologist who has treated MANY patients with whole brain radiation, we found out that the extreme fatigue starts to ease up for some around 4 weeks but lasted, if I remember correctly, in at least one person we read about to around 4 months. You're just at the 4 week mark, so I would not use the word "prolonged". Maybe I'm crazy, but I don't think so. I believe you are simply suffering from the WBR, period as would be expected at this point after the treatment. Am I in denial? I don't know for sure, but I don't think so. See you in about 10 days. Unless you're on the summer retreat, in which case, see you after you get back from that. XOXO
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing you this weekend, dear one.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if you think juicing might be a good alternative to food to help get your energy back?
I found this you might be interested in
http://youtu.be/QsyXKgB1guw
all the best,
Varada