Chemotherapy Treatment


After my five and a half weeks of recovering from daily radiation and chemotherapy, I started a new regime in which I took a higher dose of chemotherapy pills for five days every four weeks. This meant that I had some energy for three weeks every month after recovering from the effects of chemotherapy. Half a week prior to every cycle of chemotherapy I did some blood work, then met with my doctor at Cancer Care at Health Sciences Centre. An MRI was scheduled to take place every three months.

I met with my doctor and a nurse practitioner every month with the first meeting taking place November 24, 2017. My first cycle of chemotherapy started on Wednesday, November 29, 2017. Prior to starting chemotherapy, I was informed that my liver enzymes were elevated. I was sent for more blood tests which showed a decrease in liver enzymes which I was very grateful for. As a result, I was told to start my chemotherapy at half the dose. So that is what I did. I started my routine of taking chemo pills the first five days every month.

I really enjoyed Christmas with my family since my second round of chemotherapy started on December 29, 2017. My third month of chemo treatment took place January 24, 2018. I was able to take a full dose of chemo pills both of these months. Taking these pills made me feel very tired. I slept a lot. Once the five days of treatment were over it took me a few days to start feeling better. I then enjoyed spending time with family and friends. I never felt sick – just a little tired.

On February 8, 2018, I had a 4:45 a.m. MRI at Health Sciences Centre. When I met my doctor February 16, 2018, I was expecting to have the same discussion about monthly chemo treatments. I was shocked when my doctor told me that my latest MRI showed that I had another brain tumour. This cancelled my February chemotherapy treatment. My next step was having a conversation with a surgeon to discuss my next surgery.  

I received a beautiful wig from a family member.
I lost a lot of hair due to chemotherapy and radiation. 


Had fun Christmas morning - 
my grandson Finn and daughter-in-law Missy. 
 
 Christmas with my mom and dad.
 
 
My mom and me at Christmas.

Over the Christmas holidays I received a beautiful personalized blanket
from Interlake School Division administrators. Every school provided
a personal square for this blanket. I was very touched.

 Went for a walk with my friend Teri at Birds Hill Park.
 
Had fun!


 My mom helped me put on my new wig.
 
 I was touched when I saw my parents holding
hands during an afternoon nap.
 
 
My sister Bev and I spend a lot of time together. 
 
 
 Bev and I went shopping at Polo Park - it was a mild day
so I just threw on a scarf and ran in.   
 
 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
September 2020   Chris passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 8.   She remained gracious throughout the last difficult days, and was always ready with a “Thank you”, “That feels so good” and “I love you so much”.   We were very happy she could stay at home, and it was an honor and a privilege to care for her.   She inspired us every day.   Her beautiful memory will stay with us forever.     Chris liked to say “find your village and love them hard”.   The fact that you are reading this means you are in Chris’s village and I guarantee that she loved you hard.   Chris had a limitless capacity for love and spread it among everyone that she came into contact with.   I am not going to tell you who Chris was or what her accomplishments were.   If you knew her…YOU KNEW HER.   She was as big as life and lived every moment to its fullest.   It was exhausting just living with her.     It will come as no ...
Read more

August 2020

Image
August 2020       I have been receiving palliative care this month and I am getting weaker.   I can no longer walk, so my family helped me get up to my chair and back to bed every day, and then even that became too difficult and I stayed in bed.     I am thankful I no longer have back pain or chest pain.   I am still enjoying small meals, although I am eating less and I need to eat soft foods.   I still enjoy mint iced tea!   I know the end is near and I am ready.   I am very thankful my family is taking such good care of me.   They are very attentive.   Thank you for all your warm thoughts and wishes, your concern and your love.   I am so grateful for my dear family and friends.   *My sister Bev helped me compose this blog.   Ryan dropped in with a Tim Horton's hot chocolate which I enjoyed very much.        My friend Colleen dropped in for a visit.   We were so happy when vi...
Read more

July 2020

Image
July 2020     On Friday, July 3, I saw Dr. Pitz at Cancer Care to discuss my treatment and the plan going forward.   We made the decision to discontinue chemotherapy and to start the palliative care process.   I met with the Palliative Care nurse on Wednesday, July 15, and now have all the equipment I need to stay home as long as possible.   I had another fall and am not able to walk anymore.   I have been experiencing a lot of back pain and chest pain.   Heat compresses, ice packs, massage, painkillers and regular chiropractic visits have helped my back pain, and I now only have pain when I get in and out of bed.   We have figured out the chest pain is related to sores in my mouth and esophagus, and I am getting medications to help with that.   I have to be very careful what I eat, but am still hungry all the time and enjoy eating the food that I can tolerate.   Mint iced tea is now my new favorite drink!   I have enjoyed spend...
Read more