Slighty yucky

Yesterday's treatment was an experience and not a pleasant one. For some reason, the chemo nurse could not draw blood from my port -- she considered it "cranky." This happened once before and the nurse was finally able to get good suction, but this time it simply didn't work. She tried, I give her credit for that, and then informed me she would have to draw blood from a vein. Since I'm pre-menstrual, I started to cry. However, she was as good as she claimed and using a baby needle was able to get into a vein inside my elbow (which is amazing -- no one can ever find a good vein there) and with some trouble was able to draw blood. I guess my veins were simply not interested in releasing blood. About 30 minutes later, my name was called by one of the lab techs. I responded that I had already had all my vitals taken and she told me that my CBC specimen (which they use to check my clotting factor) had clotted before they could test it and she needed another sample. Thank goodness she got this one by poking my finger, but it just added more stress to my morning.

I was already slightly nauseous before treatment, so I took 8mg of the dexamethasone. The nausea finally subsided mid-afternoon, and I managed to last until this morning before I became slightly nauseous again, although nothing like last week (hooray!). I also got in a one-hour nap after we got home yesterday, which is amazing, and although I didn't sleep deeply last night and it took me about 90 minutes to fall asleep, at least I wasn't awake until 1 a.m. as happened previously. Today, I'm taking it easy and since it's a rainy, windy day here, it's the perfect day to sit back and put my feet up.

My white cell counts are down, but hopefully they will recover during my two-week break. (I'm assuming that Dr. K will have me continue my treatments for at least another three cycles following my scans and my visit with her on the 18th.) Apparently my red counts are down as well, so once I feel my stomach can handle some real food, I'll be adding spinach and red meat to my diet. Anemia is not unexpected and if I can get my white cell counts to improve between cycles, I'll be pleased.

As the rain pours outside the window, I'm hoping that the sun is shining wherever you are. Thanks for all your good wishes, and I'll be back on Monday with your assignment. :)