Two nights ago, mom suggested to me that “tomorrow you could draw a face around my port-a-cath, because it kind of looks like a nose”. So, last night I drew the person. I was going to put 2 GIANT hairy nostrils on the bottom of the port-a-cath but mom wouldn’t let me. I can’t believe I did the person without hurting mom. Today I woke up and the port-a-cath person was smudged.
Bayla (Now 9!) is the youngest member of the Clan Ross-Blevis. You can read more from Bayla here.
Posted by Bayla March 8, 2010 at 5:10 am.
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I don’t know why, but that’s it.
For the first time since my first surgery way back in October, I’m throwing in the towel and going right back to bed. No juicing, no supplements, no exercise, no shower.
I know it’s chemo and I’m grateful to be doing as well as I am.
But I’m outa here and I mean it this time.
I don’t need a justification (I’m living it), but if you do, here’s a partial list:
- two days of throbbing aches all over, numbness, disorientation, weepiness and stomach woes – no appetite, limited taste, sore throat, tongue, ears, teeth, head
- two nights of writhing in pain and delirium
- one thawed canal
- one slushy, grey world
- two thread-bare, ten year old boots soaking two already aching feet with icy slush
- one first ever sleeping pill at 3am this morning
- one puffy, quickly aging, eyelash-free face
- one transmuting port-a-cath
- and did I mention our insurance company and broker are both robbing us blind and ruining our lives?
- oh ya, and the police knocked on our door early this morning informing me that I’m due in court April 28 and 29 as a witness against my bully of a “father” as a result of his attempt to break in to our home on April 5, 2009?
Is that a reason? I mean, is that a reason?
Oh, and today’s my half-birthday. Which means it’s six months since this all began. Halfy Birthday to me.
Posted by Andrea February 24, 2010 at 9:01 am.
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Woohoo! All mysteries were solved at my pre-chemo-2 oncology appointment today:
- Why is my port-a-cath migrating in my chest?
Apparently, this is just the result of reduced swelling around the incision (just like Mark told me it was).
- What’s with the new lump just above my lumpectomy incision?
Apparently, this is just the result of increased swelling and scar tissue around the incision (just like Bayla told me it was — in fact she had a whole blog post explaining her theory but we didn’t allow her computer time).
- Why are my forearms and wrists weak and painful since chemo #1?
No specific response to this but likely in line with steroid response, below.
- How much will the port-a-cath puncture hurt?
Thanks to an Emla patch and a hilarious and spunky nurse, the puncture barely hurt at all (although my major squeamishness about the whole thing still needs some work).
- Can I avoid the 3 day post-steroid hangover following chemo without giving up my beloved post-chemo steroids? If so, how?
Turns out I was accidentally given a prescription for twice the intended dose of steroids. No wonder I was hit with major munchies, turbo energy and a surge of creative brilliance throughout my rockin’ post-chemo-1 weekend! Much to my disappointment, my doctor has halved my dosage for this round to avoid the 3 day post-steroid hangover. Fingers crossed chemo is totally fabulous (and effective) this round…
Andrea Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer October 6, 2009 and intends to survive and thrive. You can read more from Andrea here.
Posted by Andrea January 6, 2010 at 2:38 pm.
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Mysteries which I hope are solved at my pre-chemo oncology appointment today:
- Why is my port-a-cath migrating in my chest?
- What’s with the new lump just above my lumpectomy incision?
- Why are my forearms and wrists weak and painful since chemo #1?
- How much will the port-a-cath puncture hurt?
- Can I avoid the 3 day post-steroid hangover following chemo without giving up my beloved post-chemo steroids? If so, how?
Stay tuned…
Andrea Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer October 6, 2009 and intends to survive and thrive. You can read more from Andrea here.
Posted by Andrea January 6, 2010 at 7:04 am.
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Andrea
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