My wonderful world of chemo is over!! My last treatment was on April 18th and as I told the nurses, "Although I like you, I hope to never see you again." The treatment itself went as before. But that night, at about 7:30pm, my arms became itchy. I looked in the mirror and my whole torso and face were red and swollen. I called my oncologist and he said that I was probably having an allergic reaction to the Taxol. So, I took some Benadryl and the redness diminished. It was my first reaction to any of the chemo medication and am glad it didn't happen until the last treatment.
The next step is 6 weeks of daily radiation therapy. I have a consultation meeting with the radiologist this Friday to set-up my radiation schedule. From what I've heard, the side effects of radiation are minimal. To avoid sun burn-like reactions, I have to apply Aloe cream to my skin and apparently patients become tired. Sounds like a walk-in-the-park compared to chemo.
Wellness Spa
To celebrate the end of chemo, my friend, Annette and I are going to the Red Mountain Spa, a wellness spa in Utah. I was looking for a place in a tranquil setting that had classes to build up my strength. Red Mountain has it all: fitness classes, cooking demonstrations, healthy meals, massages/facials and seminars in a beautiful setting. Guests can participate in as many activities they want, or they can sit by the pool and do nothing at all. Just what Dr. Jean ordered!!
Family Reunion
This weekend, my family on my father's side had a reunion in San Luis Obispo. My uncle organized the whole thing including group dinners, a mini-golf tournament, and lodging. We hadn't all gotten together for about 4 years, so it was fun to hang out. This year we included some people who have been family friends for over 50 years. Unlike families in the movies and on TV, we all get along very well and really never argue. Whenever we get together, it's all about eating, laughing, reminiscing, and appreciating each other. A great time was had by all.
My next blog will probably be in a few weeks after we've been to the spa and I start radiation. Jeannie: Don't worry if I don't post for a while, there just might not be anything to say.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Sunday, April 15, 2007
One more chemo to go
This Wednesday, 4/18, will be my last chemo treatment!!! As I've said before, in some ways the time has flown by but in other ways it's been a long haul. At my last check-up with my oncologist, he even said, "There's light at the end of the tunnel, Jean."
In early May, I have a consultation appointment with a radiologist to discuss the 6-week radiation therapy that I'll start after chemo. My current plan (without talking to the radiologist) is to finish chemo, go to a wellness/fitness spa with my friend Annette in early May, and then begin the radiation in mid-May. My oncologist thinks that plan should work.
As my chemo regimen draws to a close, I must thank each and every person who has sent me cards, gifts, flowers, emails, prayers, and thoughts. I can't begin to tell you how much your support has helped me through this ordeal. Most of my strength comes from you!! Thank you so much.
TV Update
I forgot to provide an update on the saga of my new TV. The repair guy eventual brought over a new CPU and power supply. Everything was fine, but 20 minutes after he left, the TV turned itself off again. I literally stood up, pointed to the TV and said something that shouldn't be repeated in this blog. I called the support line and to make a long story short, I was sent a replacement TV and everything's fine now.
Movie Review
"The Hoax" -- Richard Gere (with a prosthetic nose and permed brown hair) stars in a movie about author Clifford Irving who in the early 70's convinced a publisher that Howard Hughes has contacted him to write Hughes' authorized autobiography. I remember this whole story in the 70's as it was big news. Howard Hughes was a notorious recluse at that time, supposedly living in the penthouse of a hotel in Las Vegas with an extreme case of paranoia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (although it wasn't given a name at that time). He was viewed as just plain crazy and the brunt of jokes. The movie is really good as it illustrates how Irving weaves his complex lies and pulls in his researcher and wife. Gere proves that he's a good character actor. With the fake nose and weird hair, he doesn't look like the Sexiest Man Alive.
That's it for now. In my next blog, I'll let you know what the radiologist says and if she agrees with my plan.
Take care,
Jean
In early May, I have a consultation appointment with a radiologist to discuss the 6-week radiation therapy that I'll start after chemo. My current plan (without talking to the radiologist) is to finish chemo, go to a wellness/fitness spa with my friend Annette in early May, and then begin the radiation in mid-May. My oncologist thinks that plan should work.
As my chemo regimen draws to a close, I must thank each and every person who has sent me cards, gifts, flowers, emails, prayers, and thoughts. I can't begin to tell you how much your support has helped me through this ordeal. Most of my strength comes from you!! Thank you so much.
TV Update
I forgot to provide an update on the saga of my new TV. The repair guy eventual brought over a new CPU and power supply. Everything was fine, but 20 minutes after he left, the TV turned itself off again. I literally stood up, pointed to the TV and said something that shouldn't be repeated in this blog. I called the support line and to make a long story short, I was sent a replacement TV and everything's fine now.
Movie Review
"The Hoax" -- Richard Gere (with a prosthetic nose and permed brown hair) stars in a movie about author Clifford Irving who in the early 70's convinced a publisher that Howard Hughes has contacted him to write Hughes' authorized autobiography. I remember this whole story in the 70's as it was big news. Howard Hughes was a notorious recluse at that time, supposedly living in the penthouse of a hotel in Las Vegas with an extreme case of paranoia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (although it wasn't given a name at that time). He was viewed as just plain crazy and the brunt of jokes. The movie is really good as it illustrates how Irving weaves his complex lies and pulls in his researcher and wife. Gere proves that he's a good character actor. With the fake nose and weird hair, he doesn't look like the Sexiest Man Alive.
That's it for now. In my next blog, I'll let you know what the radiologist says and if she agrees with my plan.
Take care,
Jean
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