I am overdue to check in here. I just haven't had much to write about I guess. I've been feeling pretty good and put in a full week at work with no doctor or lab trips to PennState Hershey.
My latest cancer news is that I asked my oncologist if I could delay starting the new chemo pills, scheduled to start yesterday, until AFTER son Adam and Annie's wedding June 2 in Minneapolis. He said "That's fine. Come see me June 8." Hooray! I like this plan. I was very nervous that possible ill side effects from this new chemo — capecitabine (brand name Xeloda®) — could result in a miserable wedding time for me and then the family and then the guests ... and that would be no fun at all!
The chemo pills arrived FedEx last Friday. They were shipped from a specialty pharmacy in Omaha, NE, that my insurance company, UnitedHealthcare, selected. There was no invoice in the box so I don't know the cost, but intend to find out. Fortunately insurance paid all but $12 of the bill. Stay tuned I'll report my findings.
In my last post I mis-wrote that I would be taking "a" pill twice a day. Boy, did I have that wrong! My prescription directive is to take FIVE pills twice a day with food. And these are big pills! Yuk!!! Almost makes venous infusion therapy more appealing. We'll see how it goes.
This afternoon I joined other singers from our church to practice and sing at a memorial service for Naomi Lehman, 89, who passed away May 6. In recent months I've noticed that my voice is getting weaker. When I take phone calls in the office I seem to have difficulty getting strength behind my voice. Barb has noticed this as well. I've been singing bass mostly since moving to PA, but today I couldn't hit low notes with any authority whatsoever. I've had two endoscopies where they put stuff down my throat, but I can't say this weakness was remarkable after the procedures. I have no explanation for this, but add it to my list of cancer-related physical changes:
- Losing 40 lbs.
- Accelerated hair thinning
- Digestive issues
- Declining stamina
- Swollen ankles
- Fatigue, headaches, dizziness
- Diminished voice strength
When I read blogs written by others battling this "Emperor of all Maladies", it puts my situation in perspective. I'm doing quite well compared to many others and feel fortunate in many ways. I appreciate all your prayers for healing, comfort and peace that you say for me and the many others who are in sadder shape than I am. Thank you.
Graditude is good.
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