Hi Friends,Thanks for your emails and calls, and I'm doing better on this round of chemo. It might be a result of one of the new drugs that seems to agree with me more, or maybe it's my body simply adjusting to the treatments. Either way, the nausea is more managed. Other side effects continue, but they too are more bearable with less nausea. I guess everything is.
I had several people write and ask about the human growth hormone. I get that injection the first day after a round of chemo, and it forces my bone marrow to produce more blood cells. That way I'm less prone to infection and bleeding, and it helps my levels not to drop so far that I'm not ready for the next round. Because I'm on the "dense dose" chemo (every two weeks rather than three), the drugs are harder on the body and don't allow enough time to get blood levels back to normal. The side effect is bone pain across my body for a few days, but mostly in my hips (managed with Tylenol). The interesting side effect is that my nails are growing like mad (a happy occasion because nails can actually fall out during chemo...uugh. I don't think I run the risk of that.) But it makes me wonder about those athletes who get these growth hormone injections - I can't imagine doing this to my body willingly.
The picture above is of Teddy (sporting my lovely face mask), who arrived the first day of chemo with my friend Diane.
Thank you all again for your calls and words and energy and love,
Kip
Hi Kip, I commented last Monday or Sunday I forget which and it did not show up! I am thinking of you and wanted you to know. I am just going to send this much for now to see if I can get this thing to work for me. I am married to a techy so I don't have to be! Love Ruth
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ruth, it's good to hear from you. I think you now have it cased: you need to sign in before the comment will go up. Thanks for your wishes and for keeping me in your thoughts and please give my best to Andrew and the boys.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Kip
Hey Kip,
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you that the nausea is now more under control. I would imagine that nausea would be probably the worst side effect of all. Also, one more treatment and then you get to go on the less aggressive regime so hopefully then you will start to feel better for longer periods of time.
I find your blog very moving. In spite of the fact that this is a very difficult time for you right now you are still filled with gratitude and appreciation for the good things in your life and for those small precious moments such as when you were in the butterfly park.
On Wednesday, I am off to Halifax for 10 days and I will be thinking about you as I look out to the ocean.
Good to see Teddy and glad he is still keeping you company.
Tons of Love
Diane
Hey Kip and Catherine:
ReplyDeleteI had a chance today to do a little cooking, which I find quite a comfort. I feel rather guilty to be thinking of food during the nausea days...but Kip's note has inspired me to post about times in the future when the appetite returns full speed. In my freezer is a fresh-baked lasagna with your collective names on it....just say when and it's yours!
Love,
Abbie
Love the teddy with mask. What a great image-- and cuddly, too.
ReplyDelete