Todd's Journey

My bloodwork came back today, and it seems most is good news. The only potentially problematic ones were my hemoglobin is very low again, making me anemic, but they should be able to correct that with another blood transfusion, and it shouldn't delay my next Chemo cycle. My red blood cell count is also low, but that is expected as the chemo kills off a large amount of red blood cells. My white blood cell and platelet numbers were perfect.

All in all, I expect my chemo will be able to go ahead as planned on Thursday this week, but will know for sure tomorrow after I meet with my medical oncologist.

Here is the latest video update - Todd's Journey Chapter 9

For the first time in five months I actually took a full shower. Up until now I have been having to either sit in a few inches of water and use a wash cloth, or sit on a chair in the bathtub and use a wash cloth to clean. The problem has always been that the dressings that surround my nephrostomy tubes need to be kept dry and cannot get wet.

Today, Jamie wrapped me up like a mummy around my mid-section with Saran Wrap, covering up the dressings on both sides in a water tight seal. That finally allowed me to shower fully in the bathtub.

When I got out, the dressings were all good and dry. So thank God that I finally am able to shower properly.

It still wipes me out a bit, but that's to be expected. And I will limit the full showers to twice a week, and use the Adult Wipes in between.

Another small success on my Journey.

Got my latest urine culture back and it appears that I have a new, and different, bladder infection from before. This is not uncommon since I am undergoing chemotherapy and my immune system is weakened, so I am more succeptible to infection.

I will have to wait until my urological oncologist decides what antibiotic I should take for this infection.

A bit of a set back as I was hoping to clear up all bladder infections but I guess I'll just have to wait.

My other nurse.... when Greta is on her break. :o)

Here is Monday's update on my Journey so far. Enjoy.

Well, just completed Chemotherapy Cycle 2. Seems as though this session was a wee bit easier on me than Cycle 1. That could mean the adjustments they made to my chemo meds helped, or it could mean that the chemo is working which is slowing or stopping the cancer growth.

I have a little less fatigue this time, but a bit more nausea than before. The fatigue seems to be shorter lived and I get my energy back a bit quicker. The only other, annoying, side effect I am getting is the occassional shaking of my hands, making it a bit tricky to use my hands or lift things.

They say over time, if the Chemo is working, the cancer should stop growing or even shrink in size, which will result in my feeling better as the symptoms from the cancer reduce.

So fingers crossed that the meds are working. :o)

For those of you old enough, you may remember the great prime time soap called "Dallas". I remember watching it as a kid, with my mother on Friday nights. Jamie had never seen it, so a few years back we ordered the entire 12 seasons on DVD. As predicted, we got hooked on the show again. Jamie loved it.

Our most favorite character on that show was the "drunk lush that came from the gutter" Sue Ellen. She was always fiesty with J.R., battled when necessary and drunk when she wasn't battling. The actress who played Sue Ellen was Linda Gray.

You can imagine how excited I was to receive a 6 minute video pep talk from Linda. I just received it today. She talks about my fight with cancer, about Dallas and our favorite lines and scenes, she tells me all about her new house move, and tells me how to go forward in fighting my cancer. She even calls me sweatheart!

It really was a pick me up. To hear from the original Sue Ellen and have her talk to me so personally was so uplififting. I just had to share that news with all of you.