February 27, 2011
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Partway through Round 2
Posted by Stephanie 3:00pm CST from the apartment Houston, TX
Sammy’s done the last couple of posts, so I figure it’s time to get back on here for an update from this end of things!
Chemo round 2 was able to start Tuesday, as was (tentatively) planned after my appointment with Dr. Benjamin. My bloodwork Monday looked great. White count, platelets and hemoglobin were well within normal range, and all my electrolytes had rallied nicely. Guess my body just needed a few extra days to get with the program. Things this round are going well so far, about like last time. Same weird taste with water, same strange stomach/esophagus thing happening. Still no nausea/vomiting (yay!) or extreme fatigue. Overall, I can’t complain. I did have labs again both Wednesday and Friday–still looking good with electrolytes, but my white count and hemoglobin are already falling, much earlier than last round. It’ll be interesting to see how that looks when I have them drawn again this week.
Tonight is bag number 6 of 14. My backpack and I are co-existing peacefully, although I can’t wait to be rid of it again. It feels like this round is going both slower and faster than last round. Slower in that I feel like we’ll never get to that 14th day with these bag changes, but quicker in how each day moves. I think being in the apartment and having all this extra room helps to add some variety so it doesn’t feel like it did in that tiny hotel room! Mom and I get in at least a mile walk around the apartment complex everyday, and reading, time on the computer and working on Arbonne helps fill in the hours of the day. I had hoped to have an earlier hookup time this round, so that my evenings weren’t cut ridiculously short by the dreaded phenergan coma, but since we had to wait and see what Monday’s labs looked like, it was once again an evening appointment time we were given. I get better every day about fighting off that coma, but even if I can last a couple of hours after getting home from the hospital, I eventually have to throw in the towel, and I’m usually climbing in bed to collapse by 10pm.
The weather here is gorgeous. Today, for example, it’s 80 degrees and sunny! No matter how much time I’ve spent down here, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to temperatures like that in February. Crazy. The Houston Rodeo is also gearing up to start this week. It’s apparently the largest rodeo in the nation, and it always draws a huge crowd. I’ve been down here at least a couple of times when it’s been going on, but I’ve never been. I’ll be honest, it scares me a little. Cowboy boots and ropin’ cattle are not me. But, everyone says I’ve got to go. My sister, Angela, is coming down next week to spend her spring break with me, and we may have to venture out and brave it. Bound to be some good people watching…..and food. :)
Alright, adios for now. Keep those e-mails, notes and phone calls coming–it really helps brighten my day to hear from people back home!
-Steph
