Today in Chemoland -- and Halloween for the grands, in photos

Today was Chemo #2. I was a wreck this morning and also felt like my usual crappy, exhausted self. Debbie took me - Bob is very sick with a bad cold and needs to maintain his distance.

We got to the infusion center at 10 and I had to have bloodwork done to determine if my numbers were high enough to get chemo. (Bloodwork was cancelled on Monday due to the storm). 20 minutes later the verdict was back....I could have chemo. And that is when I fell apart.

My wonderful chemo nurse Karen is really THERE for her patients, not just checking in and changing bags. She is very empathetic and kind and smart. She put me back together and gave me intravenous medications to help with my anxiety. She has also talked me into trying Wellbutrin for anxiety, taken every morning ---rather than popping a Xanax on no kind of schedule. My magnesium level is still low so I am doubling my dosage of that...she said it may help the neuropathy. Also, my dosage of one drug, carboplatin, was reduced by 35% to try to avoid last month's dangerous reaction which landed me in the hospital for 8 days.

On chemo day I am pumped full of drugs, including Emend, a powerful anti-nausea medication, so I usually feel okay and a bit more focused. I still do not have much energy, but enough to write this. I also had a great lunch today....Debbie went to a nearby bread bakery and got me a Cobb Salad sandwich that I devoured!It is wonderful to eat a meal without being nauseated.

After lunch, I napped for 1.5 hours in the chemo chair. While I napped, Karen got my CA 125 results (a cancer marker). In June my CA 125 was 19 (under 35 is good). Last month it had jumped to 176 and we were all quite upset. Today it was 26! Karen called this a "clinical remission".

There has been a change in my treatment schedule. I am going to start radiation on November 15. This is called sandwiching.....doing the radiation between chemo infusions. So chemo will be suspended while I get radiation, which is every day for five weeks. Each treatment is about 10 minutes....it takes longer to change one's clothes than to get the treatment. Supposedly this radiation will not have the terrible effects the last radiation did. But the awful exhaustion will be the same. (Most people do not realize how exhausting radiation is, and I do not really understand it, myself). With any luck, I will be done on December 20. I picture myself lying in bed for those five weeks, doing Christmas shopping online.

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                                           HALLOWEEN

Laura and Ken took Charlie and Clara to a great party at a retirement community on Saturday, organized and run by the homeowners. There were all kinds of craft stations, games, and foods, followed by a parade outdoors. Charlie was a fireman and Clara was a Dalmation. She loved wearing her costume - we went to visit on Sunday and she was wearing it around the house! Here are some photos:

(Laura's bandaid is from some minor surgery)

the significance of the 343 on the boots is to honor the 343 firefighters killed in the World Trade Center.

One more from tonight

Comments

[Mary Ann Morrison]

Good. I've been checking every day, so it's good to hear from you. I'm home alone with the animals because they get upset by all of the street activity. As we live in kind of a walled compound, no one can knock on my door! Love that. Rusty is off with all of the kids at Jennie's house. He promised to take a couple of photos for me. Jay had his radiation for 5 weeks, too, plus the Chemo - so far, so good for him. His counts remain where they are supposed to be, and he does a bit more each day. You know my thoughts are with you (and the kids are adorable!) - Mary Ann

[Martin]

Great news. The kids look so cute. I love the
Picture of Clara from behind. Precious.

[judy]

Hello ((Joann)),always watch for an update from you..since we moved we have no trick or treaters now.sort of weird..my friend comes every year,she loves chocolate so she stops by..the twins have braces now,I'll save them some melt in your mouth chocolate....Thinking of you always..Charlie and Clara,simply joy..xoxox.j

[Eloise]

Very happy to have an update from you and ecstatic about the CA125 results! Hoping this next round is quiet and uneventful for everyone except stray cancer cells.

That is the cutest firefighter and Dalmatian I've ever seen!

[Susan]

Thank you for the update JoAnn - I am amazed at all that your chemo nurse did for you, and so grateful on your behalf. I'm hoping that the meds and the schedule will work well. Hallelujah for the # coming down! good news for sure.

And those kiddos - oh what darlings - thanks for sharing these adorable photos. Like Eloise above said, cutest firefighter and Dalmatian ever!!

Hang in there -- hugs, Susan in Zurich

[Reeves Honey]

I am glad things are looking up. Wonderful you could have that great sandwich.
DD Christine home as no power at Rutgers since 3 p.m. Tues. 3,000 kids
evacuated from 2 campus dorms due to no water.
Ocean county where Tom works hit very hard. He MAY go to work today.
West Chester Med Cr. would not admit my FIL as he was not in immediate danger. They were on generator. All hotels and shelters full
anyplace near them. So hospitla social worker found Holiday Inn 71 miles away. So my semi sane SIL set out with her 117 lb.who has bladder cancer,COPD and congestive heart failure,mentally disabled sister and the hospice worker from Guayana. this is what being insane and unorganized brings. I am proud my 21 year old daughter has some genes from my side and thought to fil her gas tank up on Monday!
Your news gives me hope for the future..................

[Pat Farren]

Hi Jo,
Soooooo good to finally hear from you-thx. You are AMAZING & so is your family. Very good news about your numbers, keep up the good work cutie.
You are in my thoughts & daily prayers. I would lov to chat with you but am unsure of when would be a good time to call.
Those pictures are precious & your angels so cute & growing so quickly.
Always sending lots of lov & hugs.
Pat

[Cheryl]

Thanks for your update and you are one strong lady! I am happy you were able to see your adorable Charlie and Clara. It is so nice having grandkids in cute costumes for halloween. Nice to know Nov. will be a better month for you!

[Linda]

Glad you posted and I hope it will all go well. I hope Christmas will find you back in good form.

[Becky O'Neil]

I love the pictures of the family they are precious. Be sure to drink alot of water. Your great cream that you sent me really helped the dry skin from radiation. I will be thinking of you. every damn day knowing what a drag it is... hugs to you and your family. Too bad you can't wear your pj's they are easier to get in and out of them......

[Susan]

Thinking of you JoAnn - hoping you are well in spirit. Lifting you up in prayer right now. Hugs from one of your people ...

[Jolynn]

I finally got my cable, computer, and phone back on after Sandy so can leave a message for you. I've been reading my email on my iPhone (thank God for such wonderful inventions) and was able to read your blog. You are going through so much and staying so strong. I am impressed with your ability to write such details about your ordeals. Enjoy shopping online. I love to shop online and love all the catalogs I get in the mail. I've already got a pile of them ready to do some Christmas shopping when I have some quiet time. Thinking of you every day and sending my prayers your way.