Book Three - Back on the Escalator: 7-9

CHAPTER  7

COMING TOGETHER

I’ve been for my Ultra-sound. Both kidneys were checked out. The right one, as I’ve been,  told is still good. The left kidney is still working only 8%. I’ve been told there is no blockage now. Maybe the stent is working in that regard. I’m still not sure about the tumor. I should find out when I see Dr. Musa. It could be that he’ll use the chemo to work on it. I’ll find out when I see him the first of August.

In the meantime, my printer died on me. It quit working. With help of a friend, we tried two different printers. They didn’t work. Now I need to get a disk for a printer on my copier so as to upgrade my computer. My computer specialists will program the whole thing for me after I get the disk. Thank Goodness!

I’m much relieved about that and for fact that I’ll save a few bucks. I have my Staples card, coupons and ink cartridges to pay towards that disk. It’ll be just a matter of patience on my part while waiting for it.

My specialists took my copier and tower home with him so he could work on it better.

He did and had it ready for me in two days. He and his wife delivered it to me the next day. Was I ever glad to get it back! I didn’t  really realize how much I depended on it. I even started doing letters on it. It looks whole lot better than my handwriting. I also use it for my stories [which I got it for in the first place]. It’s also easier to see my mistakes and correct them right then.

CHAPTER  8 

NEW MEANING

           

What do I mean by that? Well! I had actually felt guilty at times because of where I am – still alive. Does that mean I quit? Absolutely not! As I may have said before, I aim to give everything I have to fight this cancer. I also finally have an answer to that question.

Up to last fall, I had pills to take before and after chemo to keep me from being sick. The last chemo med and this one, now, has med in it to keep me from being sick afterwards as well as during the treatment. I also have nausea pills for if and when I need them. There were a few times when I needed them.

           

Because of all that, I’m able to eat like I should so I can keep my energy up and maintain my weight. I’ve been averaging between 134 pounds and 136 pounds, sometimes up little more. That’s okay because Dr. Musa doesn’t want me to weigh any lower than that while I’m on chemo.

           

I’m at stage three and always will be. My red blood count has been down just enough to have a Procrit shot to keep it from going lower. The Ultra Sound and CAT Scan showed that my bowels were backed up. Meds I take and the chemo drug I get to keep me from being sick caused the blockage. Now I take Doucaste Stool Softner, Metamucil and Sennecott daily to keep me regulated.

The last time I saw Dr. Musa, my cancer count went down from 134 to 116. It went in the right direction finally. I hope it continues to go down. One can only hope and pray.

Three weeks ago, I had a horrendous back ache the same day I had chemo. It started in the afternoon. I hadn’t had one like since July. I ended up seeing the doctor but not mine. He wasn’t in that day so I had another one. This doctor had me do few bending exercises so to  find out where the pain was and asked me questions. Then he gave me a new prescription and suggested physical therapy. Dad suggested I discuss that with Dr. Hayes. I don’t see him until October. In the meantime, I took the prescription which gave me relief in week’s time. It was also suggested that I take Ibuforum in between. But that bothered my stomach. I went back to Tylenol as I wasn’t taking the prescription anymore. My back had felt better. Tylenol helps my back and legs when they bother me.

If I am to have Physical therapy, Dr. Musa has okayed for that and for heat if they use it. Another reason why I’m still here, is because I have Dr. Musa for my cancer doctor. He’s done well by me all this time. As I said before, he’s also the chief oncologist and surgeon. I still believe the Lord sent me to him. He’s highly recommended. Patients come to him from all over. Not only that-even with all the patients he has, he’s still a people person-a caring person.

Last few days I’ve been fighting a  head cold. I’ve been trying to avoid large crowds. Besides! Who wants anyone around who’s sneezing, coughing or blowing their nose? I want to get rid of this cold before I have the next chemo next week. With all this in mind that I have learned, I’m more determined/ yes, stubborn to not give up.

CHAPTER  9

NEW THOUGHTS

I found out last week that my cancer count went down. Actually it went down twice. Two months ago it was 134. A month ago it was 116. Last week, the 12^th of September, it was 94.5. It’s going in the right direction. It has a long way to go to get to 35 or lower. Maybe this chemo drug is working. I sure hope so!

           

My weight was 135. The Doctor noticed that I was losing weight but was not concerned unless I lose more.. If I do, he will tell me. My red blood count was up enough to not need the Procrit shot.

           

I was told today that I didn’t need the Premarin because there’s nothing there that I need the Premarin for. He didn’t think I needed to have more blood drawn when I go for pre-testing. He had Ann give me a copy to take when I go for pre-testing. Ann told me I could take Phillips Gel Tabs as they wouldn’t make me feel crampy.

           

I went for pre-testing that Friday morning. I did need blood work after all. They needed the blood work that was only five days prior to my day of surgery. I had the stent done the 26^th of September, on Wednesday. My sister in-law, Bonnie came to take me home when they released me. It went well. I had no bleeding or other problems as I had before. I did feel done in towards evening time. I won’t know about the kidney bit until I see Dr. El-Saan the 22^nd of October