Continuing Taxol

The outpatient chemo ward wasn't too busy yesterday. Holly put in one lumen in my port and it turned out a wise move because my blood labs showed my magnesium level was nearly normal so I didn't need any mag. So I only got my pre-meds to prevent nausea and then Taxol (part B of my 9th treatment). Also got a aranesp shot (a red cell booster) so am feeling OK. Got home from Balto mid-afternoon. Good thing because there's a water main break in downtown Balto that I'm sure is driving rush hour traffic mad. While still tired, getting over pneumonia has given me more energy at long last. Megan is due May 17. Can't believe it's so close!!

On the rebound

Went to Weinberg yesterday (4/23/09) and my blood labs came back good. Dr. Im scheduled me for chemo, but since my potassium was in the good range and my magnesium was up to 1.4 (still low but better than it has been), I only needed 2 grams of magesium. Feel like I am on the upswing as far as stamina. Last night I cut open the 20 lb bag of dog food Dylan had brought upstairs for me. As I was pouring the bag into the two bins I use to keep it fresh, I realized I wasn't breathing hard. A week ago I couldn't even have picked it up. So am planning to see Tyler this weekend after nearly a month. Really looking forward to being able to see him.
Spring is sprung, the grass is riz, looks like I may be back in biz.

Pneumonia diagnosis

I had a CT scan and breath tests before meeting with Dr. Albert Polito, the pulmonary specialist at Mercy, 4/15/09. He said the antibiotics I was getting for the UTI and bronchitis were keeping symptoms of pneumonia at bay. But that's what I actually have. So he set me up with a 14-day supply of Avelox and an inhaler to take when I get coughing fits. I feel better already, albeit very tired. I am able to sleep better and longer. I went to chemo yesterday and Dr. Im prudently postponed chemo until next week. He did give me 3 grams of magnesium and an aranesp (red cell booster) shot. So I got only good stuff that will help get rid of the pneumonia. Yeah!

Survived Easter

Grandson Tyler enjoyed an Easter egg hunt at Christine's parents' house Saturday with a new friend, Alex, son of a USNA grad the Motscos sponsored and his wife, Meg. My Megan, SIL Alex and Alex's nephew Zach enjoyed meeting the Motscos including brother John and girlfriend's young black Malti-Poo. I missed all the fun as I remained home with the dogs to let the 2nd z-pack antibiotic try to work on my bronchitis. Zima the cat, who was getting thinner daily, passed away Friday night, taking the decision whether to have her put down out of my hands. I had seen cardiologist Dr. Mark Applefeld 4/8/09 and had an echocardiogram 4/10/09. Dr. Applefeld suspects no myocardopathy. Terri got me an appointment with pulmonary specialist Dr. Albert Polito at Mercy 4/15/09 to see why this brochitis has been hanging on. In meantime, my coughs have become productive so feel better. Finally went back to work today after almost two weeks of being at home.

Brochitis strikes again

At chemo 3/26/09 I needed potassium as well as magnesium. Taxol is eating away at these nutrients. The CA125 machine was down so I didn't get a new reading. Felt good over the weekend. Got a request to "See Oma" from Tyler so babysat him Sunday while M&A took in a movie and shopped. Monday at work I started coughing and couldn't stop. Crashed Monday night and took to my bed Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday I went to chemo and Teri ordered a chest x-ray. Diagnosed bronchitis and scripted me a Z-Pack of antibiotics as well as Robotussin DM. Also told me to see my cardiologist as I have fluid around my heart, possibly from the infection but wants me checked out. First appt (a cancellation) is April 29 so Teri is calling cardiologist Monday to see if I can be seen sooner. Dr. Im told me my CA125 had been 49 last week. So it went down 2.5 pts but might be still above normal because of the bronchitis infection. Next Thursday is my "bye" week off of chemo. Never a dull moment.

Another uptick on CA125

Started series #8 of Taxol on 3/19/09. Just finished second dose of antibiotics for UTI (this one worked) and am finally getting over the cold that kept me off work Friday, Monday and Tuesday. Went to my GP Friday and she gave me Nasonex spray and told me to take plain Robitussin. But it still had to go thru the normal 5-day miseries. CA125 was up again--this time by 14 points to 51.1, not a good trend. Am hoping that the cold and infections I've been fighting have been influencing this upward (and negative) trend. Don't want to think that the cancer cells have "learned" how to overcome the Taxol. Have chemo the next two Thursdays so hopefully can get another reading that is back under 35.

Wrapped up Taxol series #7

March 5th I finished the 7th treatment of Taxol. My CA125 went up 8.3 points so it's over 35 again--37.1. This number has been see-sawing since January between 28.8 and 39.7. During this time, I've been under stress of Lloyd's terminal illness so Dr. Im said not to worry about this number. Plan is to continue Taxol treatments. I've #8 series scheduled for March 26, and April 2 and 16. And I have acupuncture treatments twice a month. Most aggravating has been a UTI that keeps me up at night despite a 10-day antibiotic. May need another 10 days in order to get rid of it. Continue to work full-time despite being really tired. Hopefully longer days (daylight savings) and warmer weather will perk up my spirits.