Behind the Five Ball (Treatment five)

Well, it seems that 5(not 8) is the unlucky number for me. As you remember, when I reached treatment 5 on the first go round, I got dehydrated and wound up in the hospital.

Monday (9/22/08) I had treatment #5 on the newest cocktail. It started with the usual anti-nausea meds, a little steroid and some Benadryl (all routine for my treatemnts). As I pleasantly dozed off compliments of the Benadryl, I heard the nurse calling my name. As I tiredly answered her she asked if I was okay to which I replied, "Yes, why?", she informed me that I was a lovely shade of pink. I looked down and low and behold I was covered with a mottled type rash that as I was looking at it began to grow together until I was one big red blotch.

At this point I was receiving the Oxaliplatin, which I have been getting since day one of my chemo. The Oxi was stopped and I was given extra Benadryl and extra steroids to counteract the reaction.

So the outcome is this; no more Oxaliplatin for me. I will also most likely being going back to weekly treatments of the Camptosar and down the line they might add in some Erbatux. I didn't sleep all night Monday night, Benadryl does that to me. But I did sleep all day Tuesday, all day Wednesday and 1/2 of Thursday (with food and bathroom breaks).

So for now, that's where things stand. I will be having the re-staging CT scan this week. I will keep you all informed, please keep me in your prayers.

Sherri

Treatment #4

Sorry for any of you who have been looking for updates, but I have been sick again. After my last treatment, 9-2-08, I was feeling kind of tired, but figured this will pass after a few days. Unfortunately, after a few days I began with diarrhea again. It stopped for 2-3 days then started up again and didn't stop! I wound up getting dehydrated again, which meant more IV fluids, 2 times at the doctor's office. It also meant loads of anti-diarrheal medication, medicine to stop stomach cramps and nothing was working. And I lost 13 pounds in one week (NOT Recommended). I finally took some Percoset to stop the cramping pain and that stopped the diarrhea too! Until this evening. I will wait and see what tomorrow brings and if it continues I have to call the oncology nurses. My next treatment is on 9-22-08, so don't know what is going to happen there. I was supposed to have a CT scan Tuesday for restaging, but that has to be postponed also.

Let me say this, this is no fun. I sleep most of the time (when the cramps aren't keeping me awake!) or I spend time in the bathroom.

I really don't remember signing up for this committee!!

On a positive note, I noticed yesterday that my hair is growing!!! I still can't do a thing with it, it is very thin and very fine, but it is getting longer! BTW the above picture is from June, when I was in the hospital and when I still had hair!

Yeah!

Sherri

Just For Fun!

There are 1 or fewer people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

(Thanks Connie!)