Day 18
Today started off great. I wasn’t running any fevers most of the day and I received 2 successful red blood transfusions which were preceded last night by 2 successful platelet transfusions bumping me up to 14,000. I was feeling well most of the day and then my stomach started to hurt and never stopped. By dinner time I was hunched over in pain and begging for meds and that was the same time they wanted to do more platelets. My fever also decided to return around that time. So in a matter of 40 minutes I was given Tylenol, Benedryl, Hydrocortizone, and Pepcid AC as premeds for the platelets, Gas-X and Maalox for my stomach, Adavan for the panic attack I was started to have, and an IV shot Demeral when the shakes started after the platelets. And, as expected, the platelets didn’t work and knocked me back down to 4,000. Argh.
We’re going to do it again tonight but wait till all of my other issues subside. It will work the next time because we won’t rush it and go in better prepared.
But, in big news today, I went outside and saw and felt the sun for the first time in 18 days!!!
Brian said I look skinny, which is probably true because I haven’t eaten in almost a week. I don’t even want to get on the scale. But for dinner I talked to the resident doctor and we came up with an Ensure shake, rice and chocolate chip cookies. She said my best bet might be to have people bring things from home. Here’s the criteria: filling, easily digestible and no fiber. Fruits, veggies and beans are out. The Ensure shake seemed to work well. If you have any ideas of foods I might try please list them below. I’m at a loss, starving and in pain.
Also in good news, I had a great visit with Phaedra and Renee and it turned into another very therapeutic conversation in room 47.
I want to once again thank everyone who has been helping with the kids, meals and coming for visits. Brian and I are so grateful for all of your generosity. I know that my kids appreciate it too. I hope to kick this stomach thing soon so I can work on getting better and coming home in the next two weeks.
Oh, one more bit of irony I thought I would share – the hair on my legs, arms and a good part of my head has not fallen out yet. I’m starting to feel like I bit the bullet a little too soon and TRYING to laugh about it. I know my hair would have been a mess if I hadn’t cut it but I could have tried a short cut before the buzz and that might have been enough. Oh well, nothing I can do now. The good news is that I still have my eyebrows and eyelashes which is what I was most concerned about. The bad news is that my platelets are far too low to shave my leg so I apparently will be a complete jungle woman by the time I get home. Nice image, huh Bri? 
I’m starting a new section tonight with a survey of sorts. I just thought it would be fun to see what you guys think about different things. Tonight’s question, “Top 5 All-Time Funniest Movies.”
Thank you again for following along on this journey, old friends, new friends and people I’ve just met. I am grateful for all of your support, encouragement and your own inspiring words.
I remember when my dad was going thru the chemo and all – the Ensure shakes were a staple for sure. Not sure what else to share as far as that topic, except maybe yogurt??? Are you allowed to have that? Even though they are only 100 calories, the Delights are wonderful!!
And as far as your hair, I say why not just jump into the whole experience of it all?? Wouldn’t you have felt like you hadn’t really done the whole “cancer” thing without wearing the dew rags – I mean, really???
Good point Kim! It just wouldn’t have been the same without the dew rags
I showed Ty tonight and he was completely unphased. That’s good but was just a funny reaction. Nice to know he’s not very superficial.
And, you didn’t have to deal with “big ass” hair when you went out into the humidity today. Smile. I guess salt water taffy from the beach is out. Smile again. I will think of something yummy to bring you once I’m back. Rest up. It’s almost time for Boordy drinks!
Hi Jess -
What about pasta without sauces, just a little seasoning sprinkled on. Maybe those green spinach noodles or rainbow spirals.
And why are they giving you Gas-X if you are a non-farter, as discussed elsewhere in this blog? Inquiring minds want to know.
Chip
Don’t worry about your hair you look great! It would have been so discouraging to watch it fall out! Now you can focus on getting better! Your in our thoughts and prayers daily. I finally confessed to Charlie tonight that I have always been terrified of finding out one day I may have cancer. But reading your words and feeling your strength, it’s not something I fear anymore! You are so inspiring!!!
Maybe cottage cheese? Full-fat cottage cheese would be quite filling. Someone suggested pasta, but you’d have to make sure it was the bleached white, not really nutritional kind. If it’s made with whole grains it will definitely have fiber in it. And no spinach noodles – spinach is loaded with dietary fiber.
I think really meat is the way to go. Beef, poultry, fish … filling, full of protein (good for strength!) and no fiber. Mmmm … fish …
If rice is okay, I might suggest rice pudding without the spicy additions such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Your phobia against things that quiver, such as pudding, makes it difficult to offer them as possibilities. Egg nog would seem a good possibility, but it is usually only available seasonally, and homemade might introduce some bugs you don’t want. I was just talking to Kay on the phone and she came up with chicken breasts. Boneless could be pan cooked or baked in the oven using only butter or oil for a pan lubricant. How does that sound – and what might be okay, if anything, as seasoning?
I would go for chocolate chip cookies all day!
Maybe some Onigiri would fit the bill, here (Japanese rice balls). Just rice with fish filling. Is something like canned tuna ok, or salmon cooked in soy sauce?
Jess,
I was going to suggest Boost. When my son was taking certain medications he basically didn’t eat since it curved his hunger and he needed some calories. He still asks for it now even though he doesn’t need to drink it anymore. Is vodka easily to digest? lol
I like your shaved head look. Last night while trying to do my hair I was thinking of you and I thought to myself how much easier it would be if I just cut it all off. If you don’t like the hairy leg look, which in some societies is considered attractive I might add, could you use the stuff you put on your legs that just removes the hair without shaving?
I want to tell you that last weekend when I spent the morning with Ty and Kieran I had a blast! Claire loves playing with Ty. Kieran and I had a nice time chatting. It was the first time in a long time where I just played for hours with the kids and didn’t bother to get side tracked with trying to do a zillion other things at the same time. Oh by the way, Claire thinks Ty is a fast jeep driver. lol So, thank you for allowing me to come spend sometime with your kids and reminding me that I need to play pirate ship, put train tracks together, play basketball, sit down and talk about bugs etc. more often. =)
Keep up the good fight!
I don’t know if you can tolerate dairy products, but this would work with or with out the dairy
Menu for a day:
breakfast: cheesy eggs
lunch: chicken with rice soup
dinner: saltines with smoked salmon and cream cheese
dessert: marshmallows