Day 33: Uncomfortably Numb

The chemotastic rollercoaster ride continues.  Let's start with the good news:


  • The girls are coming home from Disney World tonight.  I can't wait to hear the stories and feel the hugs.  
  • An amazing couple of guys came and installed a sump pump in my basement last Sunday.  Yesterday (April 13th) was the first day since March 20th that my basement was dry.
  • The Mama Bird who lives outside my front door laid 3 more eggs for a total of 4 and continues to sit at her nest when I'm not bugging her.
  • My Flexible Sigmoidoscopy last week showed a significant tumor response to the chemotherapy.  It was done without sedation so I was able to see the actual tumor on screen.  It's ugly, but smaller than it was.  Side note: don't worry about not being able to have anything to drink before your unsedated procedure.  An awake FlexSig is a more effective stimulant than a cup of coffee.  Like chugging a quart of espresso. 😮
Now, the bad news:

  • Monday morning, someone tried to hack into my online banking account.  They were unsuccessful, but the account was locked down for three days and my card needs to be swapped out but hasn't yet arrived.  Hopefully it will come today and I'll be able to update all the bills that use that card.
  • Chemo is cumulative; the effects get stronger each time.  This (third) dose took everything out of me.  I'm exhausted and the peripheral neuropathy is wicked.  Think of the tingle when a leg falls asleep, but on the soles of your feet.  All the time.  It also shows up in my mouth and my hands sometimes.  No fun.
I can (and do) complain about it, but my job is to suck it up and push forward.  I've got one FOLFOX dose left.  It'll be on April 24th and I'm already dreading it.  Then I get a week to recover and get scanned to see what's happening with the tumor.

After that restful week, I'll start combined radiation and chemo.  Seven days a week of being hooked up to a pump and five days a week of radiation.

Then comes 8 weeks of healing before surgery.  No pumps.  No poison.  No radiation.  Just eat and heal.

Beyond that, I don't really think too much about the plans.  Things have changed so rapidly it seems silly to be planning things 4 months out when any given test could throw everything into chaos.  Again.

The love and support I've received during this ordeal has made a huge difference.  The overwhelming support in the form of food, finance and friendship has absolutely carried me through tough times.  I really struggle to put into words just how grateful I am for everything so I'll keep it simple.

Thanks guys!  I love you all.

Comments

  1. UnknownApril 14, 2017 at 10:39 AM

    Keep up the great attitude! You're rockin this!😍👍

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sodium ChlorideApril 14, 2017 at 11:05 AM

    Wow I had no clue about peripheral neuropathy. That sounds insane.
    You're doing it Chris. Girls home tonight!

    Soldier on. You got this.

    ReplyDelete

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