August 2010

I am feeling the effects of chemo again. It’s been awhile since I have really felt any harsh side effects (other than the radiation I went through). I guess I wasn’t expecting too much with this round because the other two last week and the week prior left me with riveting pain, but everything else seemed like nothing at all. This third round I took the newlasta shot and I was feeling just the pain again. .. Read More

Finally I am back at home again. The nurses seemed to think that I was having alot of pain from the Newlasta shot that I received on Friday after chemo. I guess it is typically known to cause bone pain. I’m not so sure because I have had this same issue the past two weeks prior after chemo as well. At least this week I have off of chemo. I was supposed to have a .. Read More

Today was round 3 of Abraxane Chemo. It took everything I had to make it here today with my bags packed and ready to head to Cali after the infusion treatment. I headed to the clinic to meet with the docs prior to infusion (as always scheduled) and immediately laid down on the exam room table because my body was rocking with pain. My stomach started getting sharp pains as well. Of course the nurse had .. Read More

Tomorrow I am scheduled to fly to California to meet up with my cousin. I also have chemo tomorrow, so of course in typical Melissa fashion I am trying to squeeze it in before the flight. I have to get up at 5am for infusion! I still haven’t even packed. I have been basically bedridden for the past few days. My back has been in alot of pain and I have been having a more difficult .. Read More

Today is Sunday and I have now been home for a few days and starting to settle in. I am leaving Wednesday for California so hopefully I don’t end up in the hospital before then. I did end up having round two of chemo. I am now on my fifth line of treatment. The chemo that I am now taking is called, Abraxane. Today is day three since infusion, which is normally when the chemo .. Read More

Today we did end up heading back to CTCA after being discharged at St. Joes. They didn’t think that I needed a direct transfer, and I was fine with this decision since the last ambulance ride was a little scary. the hospitalist decided to keep me here for 23 hrs of observation. This was comforting. I am starting to feel a little better, but I was feeling that the smallest thing could send me spinning back .. Read More

Of course, what was I thinking? I’m now back at CTCA. No big suprise…I was admitted a couple of days ago to St. Josephs because I was having really bad back pain and a little bit of a difficult time breathing. One of my friends that came into town also needed to go to the hospital because of an allergic reaction. After the few days at St. Joes I asked the Hospitalist to contact my Oncologist .. Read More

I am at home now. Sorry! It’s been a few days that I have been home and I’ve been so busy catching up and “nesting” that I haven’t thought about or had a chance to write or keep with the blog. Lisa left yesterday and my two childhood friends, Lauralee and Anne (from Bellevue, WA) came into town. The last time I saw them was when I was visiting Seattle and before that, probably the high .. Read More

Back again at CTCA. This is my second home now. I just can’t believe that I was home for one or two days and now I’m back in patient again! Thankfully, I had started a bag to always keep ready in case I do have to come for an extended stay. You don’t realize what a difference it makes to have your own toiletries, make up, toothbrush, etc. Even just the familiar feeling of being .. Read More