Second Chemo plus side-effect product gallery!

I am not doing a short version on this one, but beware that after the picture, it becomes very, very tedious.

Well, the second chemo is done and—surprise—I got the double dose.  Dr. McMullen studied the audio report and felt that the results were within limits so she wasn’t worried.  Given the white blood cell problem of that week, she decided to order a booster shot so that wouldn’t repeat and, therefore, I could get my final dose on June 17^th.  I went in to get the booster dose at 10:00 am today.  So far, no problems. 

I am feeling pretty wonky, though, from both the chemo regime and the booster shot, so I will be mostly prone or sitting today. The anti-nausea drugs in the IV are doing their thing and I feel fine on that count right now. My mouth is still doing pretty good and I haven’t taken anything stronger than ibuprofen for several days. Let’s hope that continues!

The radiology office is closed for the holiday, so my next radiation isn’t until Tuesday.  This means that my final radiation will be on Monday, June 20.  So the countdown is 15 more to go.

All my doctors say that I am doing much better than the average patient on this protocol.  It could be, partly, that my tumor isn't as large as some, so the radiation is somewhat easier on me.  But, I give credit:

• to Leslie, who is making sure I have a balanced, nourishing diet.
• to my friends Nancy H. and Nancy N., who have given me some very helpful advice and counsel.
• to myself, who is completely on top of what I should be doing and I am doing it.
• to ignoring a whole lot of advice that is out there such as “drink Ensure”, “don’t worry about nutrition now, just pour calories down”, “get a PEG tube”.
• and to all my little helpers…(see below)

In the foreground of the picture are the three things I often took pre-C—gas relief pills, Nasonex for my dust-mite allergy and ibuprofen pills when I have pain.  That's about it.  (This is where tedium comes in....)

In the background is everything I have to deal with my present situation.  To the left of the picture is all my teeth stuff.  I basically have to have excellent teeth care for the rest of my life in hopes of preserving my teeth from the affects of radiation.  As well, dry mouth could continue for some time, so I have various products to help with that (the sugarless suck candies in the blue bag, and a nice smooth small pebble to the right of the bag, something called 'Salese' to help get the saliva following, etc).  I first gently flosh, then use the waterpick, then use the electric toothbrush, then gently use the—yes—tongue comb. At night, I put flouride paste into my teeth trays (in the blue box) and sit there for 20 minutes letting my teeth soak it in. This will continue until I die.

Moving to the right is the skin-care products for the radiation burns that are coming soon.  I have used a product called Calendula lotion, which was recommended by the radiologist, since a week before the radiation.  It is supposed to limit how bad the burn gets.  I have aloe vera on hand now to ease any pain.  I also keep white vinegar around, because it works excellently to remove any pain for a "real" sunburn, so figured it might help here. However, it might not ever get bad. But, it can be.  Check out the next picture.  I also have some hydrocortisone cream for itching.

This is Jacques, who had a tumor about twice my size.  He might not have had the IMRT treatment that I am having (which helps to limit the burns).  Nonetheless, this is what I am tyring to prevent

To continue the tour, the next group of meds are for my mouth. In the wine bottle is my solution of salt/baking soda and water that I swish and gargle with dozens of times a day.  It helps with the sores and the thickened saliva. In front of the wine bottle is the Stanford mouth wash which helps with the sores and to prevent thrush. In front of the mouth wash is the lidocaine that numbs my mouth when needed for eating. To the left of that are some products to help the acid reflux, tinctures of slippery elm and licorice root (Not pictured: the heavy hitter, Prilosec). Licorice root is also good for mouth sores.  To the left of the wine glass is drinkable aloe vera,  which helps the mouth sores. 

The tussin is to help with the thickened saliva.  In front of the Tussin are pills if I feel a cold sore coming on.  To the right is Ativan, if I need help sleeping (and it also helps with nausea). To the right are my pain pills—both viocdin and oxycodone. So far, I have just taken 4 vicodin.  They are there just in case. 

Behind my pain pills are my anti-constipation products. Both the pain pills and the anti-nausea pills cause constipation, so I am prepared.  I do the prune juice thing and lots of water with metumucil and lots of fiber in other ways, too. According to my friend, Sharon, glyercil is the thing when you just have to get it out...In front, a little vaseline.

And, then,  finally, the next group is my anti-nausea medication, Zofran.  I have them in two forms, as solid pills and as melt-in-your mouth pills (thanks, Lynn—my doctor approved of you passing them on).

What a change! But, I gotta do what I gotta do.  It's working so far.