What a difference six days of steroids make.
I was prescribed steroids to deal with an itchy rash that developed due to the Xeloda. They proved to be very effective at dealing with the rash. They also gave me energy. I mentioned to the research manager that I had a lot of energy this past weekend. She reminded me that I was taking steroids and that was likely the reason.
I had blood tests yesterday and it proved to be a very positive event, notwithstanding the fact that there was a long wait due to spillover from the Thanksgiving days off last week. Most importantly, I got a Snoopy bandaid. In addition, my blood numbers were great. My white blood cell count was in the normal range for the first time in a long while and my platelet count was better. You'll never guess this, but the research manager pointed out that this improvement was also likely due to the steroids. I guess that any tennis wins this past week will have to be marked by an asterisk to indicate that my performance was steroid enhanced.
In terms of other side effects, the hand/foot syndrome continues. My fingers feel as if they have a bandaid on them (Snoopy, of course.) My feel are reacting and I am using a lot of cream to make them survive.
We are still getting over the water incident. Our bedroom is all disheveled and we are sleeping in the guest room where there is no television. As a result, each night, I feel compelled to recreate televison programs for our entertainment When I mentioned this at the tennis court, a few of the ladies recoiled in horror imagining that I was recreating One Life to Live or Days of Our Lives or some such racy show. Hmmm, I will have to check those shows out.
Speaking of the guest bedroom, the research manager usually wakes up early and often gets to work at her desk long before I arise. The other day she said that she could not lie there any longer. What lies was she telling? Will she continue to lie in other places? Such things to have to worry about.
The other day, I went out to play tennis with my shirt inside out, A few of the women noticed and told me. I think they were hoping that I would remove my shirt to reveal my near Nadal like body. They got their wish, but I made sure that not many of the women did not see this, It would of distracted them too much!
All in all, I feel good and many people tell me that I am looking good. Next week, I will have a petscan and we will be able to tell exactly where things are.
Thank you for your interest, caring, prayers and support.
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Not as good as it looks
It is a tough night for a blogger. My "Notes" file disappeared from my phone today, leaving me with not much to base this blog on. However, I will do my best.
At tennis this morning, someone took some balls to play with and came back saying, "These balls look good, but they are not as good as they look."
That can be said of some people, they may look good, but their behavior is not good.
That can also be said of me. Many people say that I look good, but I may not be as good physically as I look.
I really am feeling pretty good, but..........
1. My hand/foot syndrome is slightly worse, creating blisters and red marks on my toes and soles. I am treating this with cream and it at times shows improvement and at other times, not so much.
2. I have developed an itchy rash, which is another side effect of Xeloda. I now have steroids to treat that.
3. I get tired easily. Of course, that could be affected by the 5 days of noisy water equipment that we had running in the house as the result of a cracked supply line nut. (It looks like we got away with less permanent damage than we thought, but will likely have to replace the vanity in the master bathroom.
4. I still have some dry mouth, but the Biotene gel is helping.
5. My hands are affected by a combination of hand/foot (well, the hand part) syndrome and neuropathy. They are sensitive touching or carrying anything that has an edge to it. Fortunately, tennis balls, tennis racquets and (censored by the research manager) do not have sharp edges.
My stock continues to rise with the receptionist for the far infrared sauna. Apparently, she tells people that are feeling down about me and my attitude. Having said that, I overheard her calling someone else sweetheart again this week.
That's all I've got for tonight. Thanks, Apple for losing my notes. No wonder that their stock is dropping.
At tennis this morning, someone took some balls to play with and came back saying, "These balls look good, but they are not as good as they look."
That can be said of some people, they may look good, but their behavior is not good.
That can also be said of me. Many people say that I look good, but I may not be as good physically as I look.
I really am feeling pretty good, but..........
1. My hand/foot syndrome is slightly worse, creating blisters and red marks on my toes and soles. I am treating this with cream and it at times shows improvement and at other times, not so much.
2. I have developed an itchy rash, which is another side effect of Xeloda. I now have steroids to treat that.
3. I get tired easily. Of course, that could be affected by the 5 days of noisy water equipment that we had running in the house as the result of a cracked supply line nut. (It looks like we got away with less permanent damage than we thought, but will likely have to replace the vanity in the master bathroom.
4. I still have some dry mouth, but the Biotene gel is helping.
5. My hands are affected by a combination of hand/foot (well, the hand part) syndrome and neuropathy. They are sensitive touching or carrying anything that has an edge to it. Fortunately, tennis balls, tennis racquets and (censored by the research manager) do not have sharp edges.
My stock continues to rise with the receptionist for the far infrared sauna. Apparently, she tells people that are feeling down about me and my attitude. Having said that, I overheard her calling someone else sweetheart again this week.
That's all I've got for tonight. Thanks, Apple for losing my notes. No wonder that their stock is dropping.
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
Emergency
Things have been going along smoothly and you just know that something will happen. Well, it did.
I know you are thinking that I got a major set back or some new strange disease. Well, that is not true. I do have it confirmed that I have a mild case of Hand/Foot Syndrome. I am treating it by using Udderly Smooth cream three or four times a day. But that is not the emergency.
The technician gave me a Finding Nemo bandaid instead of a Snoopy bandaid when I did my blood tests yesterday, but I have survived that.'
The emergency is that the research manager came home this afternoon to find two inches of water in our master bathroom and water running through the carpet in the bedroom, in the cupboards and into the kitchen. The cause was a broken supply line to the toilet and it has resulted in several hours of working at removing water, having the plumber fix the supply line and finally having the water restoration people come to start the drying out process. I think they will be here till midnight and will leave all manner of equipment to run for four or five days. I guess that the guest bedroom beckons us tonight.
The hand foot thing has garnered a little attention. The research manager said that part of my toes looked as white as the sheet. I figured that I could solve that by using flesh colored sheets, but apparently the cream is a better solution.
When I quietly mentioned it to the blood technician, but that I wasn't going to tell anyone, she said that I just did and made me go to see the nurse. She watched to make sure that I went there rather than ducking out.
The nurse asked if she could look at my foot. I complied by holding up my right foot still clad with a sock and a shoe. She told me that she did not have X-ray vision and that I would have to take the shoe off. She felt that all was under control and to continue to use the cream.
Finally, two medical breakthroughs. The research manager has been complaining about snoring, mine, not hers. By coincidence, she also observed that I had been slacking off on my vitamin C. I have resumed that part of my 40 odd pills and liquids a day and, mirabile dictu, my snoring has stopped.
The second is that my friend Mike, from Canada, sent me some samples of Biotene Gel. I have been using the Biotene rinse and the Biotene spray, but not the gel. It works great and it has reduced my dry mouth issues and decreased the number of times that I wake up during the night.
I think that is enough for tonight. I will be watching Cash Cab or Jimmy Fallon until the water restoration guys are finished.
I know you are thinking that I got a major set back or some new strange disease. Well, that is not true. I do have it confirmed that I have a mild case of Hand/Foot Syndrome. I am treating it by using Udderly Smooth cream three or four times a day. But that is not the emergency.
The technician gave me a Finding Nemo bandaid instead of a Snoopy bandaid when I did my blood tests yesterday, but I have survived that.'
The emergency is that the research manager came home this afternoon to find two inches of water in our master bathroom and water running through the carpet in the bedroom, in the cupboards and into the kitchen. The cause was a broken supply line to the toilet and it has resulted in several hours of working at removing water, having the plumber fix the supply line and finally having the water restoration people come to start the drying out process. I think they will be here till midnight and will leave all manner of equipment to run for four or five days. I guess that the guest bedroom beckons us tonight.
The hand foot thing has garnered a little attention. The research manager said that part of my toes looked as white as the sheet. I figured that I could solve that by using flesh colored sheets, but apparently the cream is a better solution.
When I quietly mentioned it to the blood technician, but that I wasn't going to tell anyone, she said that I just did and made me go to see the nurse. She watched to make sure that I went there rather than ducking out.
The nurse asked if she could look at my foot. I complied by holding up my right foot still clad with a sock and a shoe. She told me that she did not have X-ray vision and that I would have to take the shoe off. She felt that all was under control and to continue to use the cream.
Finally, two medical breakthroughs. The research manager has been complaining about snoring, mine, not hers. By coincidence, she also observed that I had been slacking off on my vitamin C. I have resumed that part of my 40 odd pills and liquids a day and, mirabile dictu, my snoring has stopped.
The second is that my friend Mike, from Canada, sent me some samples of Biotene Gel. I have been using the Biotene rinse and the Biotene spray, but not the gel. It works great and it has reduced my dry mouth issues and decreased the number of times that I wake up during the night.
I think that is enough for tonight. I will be watching Cash Cab or Jimmy Fallon until the water restoration guys are finished.
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
Fun at Publix
Developments on many fronts.
First, my blood tests showed significant improvement yesterday. White blood cells were up and other measures were decent. The doctor seemed happy.
My blood pressure was excellent 116/73, a number that I have not seen in a long time.
It is a good thing that they check my blood pressure before they prick my finger for my blood work because the bandaid that they used after the needle prick was a Snoopy Christmas bandaid. I was so excited that I am sure my blood pressure rose significantly.
I got my every third week infusion of Avastin. Even though the center was so full that I had trouble finding a chair, it went very quickly, much better than three weeks ago. Why this is particularly noteworthy is that, being old and forgetful, I arrived 90 minutes before my appointment time. I signed in as Al Exion and suddenly realized that I was early, but they took me anyway.
The research manager has determined that my mouth sores/dryness is in part due to the fact that I had not been taking my lypo-spheric vitamin C. She also claims that it has stopped my snoring.
My neuropathy is significant. I actually suspect that it may be a mild case of hand/foot syndrome, but it is so mild that I do not think about it. As long as I can play tennis, I will not talk about it. Ooops, I just did.
A lot of activity occurred at our local Publix store this week.
First, I was sitting in my car studying the shopping list when a woman came up to my driver's side door and her friend opened the passenger side door. I offered to drive them home, but apparently they had a white SUV also and got confused. I am glad that others are so inflicted.
A few days later, I stopped at Publix for a quick visit and as I backed out of my spot noticed that the research manager's car was right next to mine. I parked the car and went back into Publix and asked the clerk on what aisle they had wives. I found the research manager and was able to help carry out her purchases.
As we left, a man commented on what a great shirt I was wearing. That is ironic because it was one of the shirts that I wear when I get an infusion in my port. Because of the connection with the chemo infusions, I am not particularly fond of any shirt that has full buttons. I thanked him though.
That's about it for this week. Except to say that I continue to get hugs from Kim at the Hydro-colontherapy clinic. I think she is still trying to make amends for calling someone else "sweetheart." Besides that, she seems to like getting mentioned in this blog.
First, my blood tests showed significant improvement yesterday. White blood cells were up and other measures were decent. The doctor seemed happy.
My blood pressure was excellent 116/73, a number that I have not seen in a long time.
It is a good thing that they check my blood pressure before they prick my finger for my blood work because the bandaid that they used after the needle prick was a Snoopy Christmas bandaid. I was so excited that I am sure my blood pressure rose significantly.
I got my every third week infusion of Avastin. Even though the center was so full that I had trouble finding a chair, it went very quickly, much better than three weeks ago. Why this is particularly noteworthy is that, being old and forgetful, I arrived 90 minutes before my appointment time. I signed in as Al Exion and suddenly realized that I was early, but they took me anyway.
The research manager has determined that my mouth sores/dryness is in part due to the fact that I had not been taking my lypo-spheric vitamin C. She also claims that it has stopped my snoring.
My neuropathy is significant. I actually suspect that it may be a mild case of hand/foot syndrome, but it is so mild that I do not think about it. As long as I can play tennis, I will not talk about it. Ooops, I just did.
A lot of activity occurred at our local Publix store this week.
First, I was sitting in my car studying the shopping list when a woman came up to my driver's side door and her friend opened the passenger side door. I offered to drive them home, but apparently they had a white SUV also and got confused. I am glad that others are so inflicted.
A few days later, I stopped at Publix for a quick visit and as I backed out of my spot noticed that the research manager's car was right next to mine. I parked the car and went back into Publix and asked the clerk on what aisle they had wives. I found the research manager and was able to help carry out her purchases.
As we left, a man commented on what a great shirt I was wearing. That is ironic because it was one of the shirts that I wear when I get an infusion in my port. Because of the connection with the chemo infusions, I am not particularly fond of any shirt that has full buttons. I thanked him though.
That's about it for this week. Except to say that I continue to get hugs from Kim at the Hydro-colontherapy clinic. I think she is still trying to make amends for calling someone else "sweetheart." Besides that, she seems to like getting mentioned in this blog.
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