Yesterday was a bit of a long day - chemo was all 3 meds so that takes a while and then I had my first radiation session. That involved meeting w/my doctor, Dr. M, first and then having the treatment. Dr. M says that the side-effects of radiation don't show up until after the second week so there wasn't much to talk about yet. Radiation is 5 days/week - the sessions only take about 10 minutes but you have to figure about an hour from entrance to exit. I had originally decided to have my radiation sessions in the evenings after work but, upon reflection, I've decided that morning before work will be better so that I can be free after work to walk or go shopping or whatever. They're very accomodating there and on Thursday my time will change from 6pm to 8am.
As long as the day was, I was finished by 5:30 at which point Min and I watched Cold Comfort Farm, as recommended by Peter. It was a lot of fun - tho I wish they'd used Stephen Fry a bit more :)
When I was talking w/Dr. I yesterday, I told him that I was having trouble sleeping the first few nights after chemo and wondered if it was a side-effect of one of the meds. He told me it was likely a side-effect of the steroid anti-nausea drug I take, which matches pretty well up w/the timing. Unless it was really bad, he didn't want me to take anything for it and I told him that was fine. Last night I slept pretty well, hopefully I will again tonight.
Woke up this morning feeling a bit nauseas but the meds did their work pretty well - I was a bit nauseas on and off throughout the day but nothing too bad. This week I don't seem to feel as fatigued and my concentration is better than in previous sessions. Hope it keeps up this way - I'm fighting for it.
Dropped by to see master barber jeff this morning before work. My hair is growing back unevenly, so while it wasn't *too* long it was starting to look bad. Nice and clean again now. My beard has been affected by the chemo as well - not really falling out but growing much slower. It's actally kinda nice because I don't have to shave so often and I haven't had to trim my goatee (tho I'm told it's actaully a van-dyke) - this is one side-effect I wish I could keep (the other being able to lose weight effortlessly - but I think that one is gone now :).
--Dr. D
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Sorry I missed your visit to M/SO - maybe next time. Great news about the tumor reduction and weight gain. That's got to mean things are going well!
Hope the effects from radiation are minimal and I continue to see positive updates!
Hey Bets - next time around then. Will do my best w/the positive updates. --Dr. D
Hope you are having a good week and that the radiation has not been an added problem..Am on my way to Longboat and will call you later..Have a great day
Mom
that's right, it is a van-dyke, just like mine, though I wonder why Dick never had one?
Perhaps we shoud have a get together with a few friends for a dinner where we put together a few tables and have fun.
Jerry
Mom - all is well, more in the next post.
Jerry - awesome idea, send me some email and let's make it happen.
--Dr. D
Post a Comment