14 weeks down

Yesterday was my 14th treatment on this protocol. I continue to experience most of the intial issues: muscle spasms in my calves, feet and hands; fatigue; some shortness of breath; high cholesterol (although the Zetia is doing a great job getting that down); and some acne.

My cough continues unabated and has been worse since Friday. I don't know whether it was the weather (sometimes low pressure systems make me cough) or an allergy exacerbating the cough, but it's annoying. I spent the entire way home on the bus on Monday trying not to cough -- and that was after taking a Benadryl during the day and a Levsin tablet (which dries me up) at 3 p.m. Of course, the cough by that point was a dry, tickly cough, but it's still annoying.

As such, I have finally made a follow-up appointment for a consultation with a pain management doctor at MSKCC (scheduled for 4/8). We will discuss numbing the phrenic nerve as the doctor did during my thoracotomy back in October. That lasted for five days, but perhaps we can get a longer period out of another one. I won't know until I try it again.

The weather here has changed for the better. After four days of rain and wind, the sun is shining. Yesterday the temperature reached 67 on our way home from chemo and today looks to be a repeat. I hope you are able to get out and enjoy the weather wherever you are.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!