I thought since towards the end of my 44 wk ordeal I abandoned this blog (due to feeling like total and complete crap), I should at least come back and give closure to it.
Today is mine and Kevin's 14th wedding anniversary....Cinco de Mayo...2nd week of Jazz Fest in New Orleans, and it is also around this time 2 years ago that I first started treatment. I have been off all of the meds for one year now and I'm very happy to report that I am CURED :)
I'll post more details later but for now....it's good enough to know that Hepatitis C is simply GONE from my life forever!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
I think this is week 36 - 12 more after tomorrow's shot!
The anemia is giving me fits - I've now done 5 shots of procrit to keep it more stable and at a safe level. I'm still tired of this crap...and especially with the holidays and the fact that this txt is waaaaaay too toxic to do for so long long.
I agree w/Terry Lee that the 2nd half of txt is the worse. But now the end is OH SO CLOSE! I have been vascillating between wanting to stop now (calculating what percentage of the txt I've completed...I'd read that for it to have even a chance to work for geno 1s is if you complete 80% of the txt. But then I say to myself, gee, if I go THAT FAR, I should just finish the damn thing.I know me...I'm going to stick it out, even if I end up spending most of the last bit in bed - lol.
Okay, so back to the vascillating....I go from THOSE thoughts to wondering how I can get the clinic to give me MORE pegintron so that once the 48 wk stint is complete I can WEAN myself off it and let my body's own immune system take back over gradually. I read a very interesting thread on this theory on medline that was very convincing. But I don't trust my brain these days - I want my b rain back and I want my body back (well, except for the 20 lbs I've lost so far) - they can keep those!
I can't imagine anyone getting through more than 48 wks of this stuff. But I also know if this doesn't work this time for me, I will not be doing this again.
Keeping my fingers crossed that this is going to be a year of fantastic labs for eveyone.
Also, just wanted to say that although most days I can't string together 2 sentences so writing on the computer takes just too much energy, I do read mt hep c buddies blogs very often - keeping you all in my thoughts constantly and sending strength.
I agree w/Terry Lee that the 2nd half of txt is the worse. But now the end is OH SO CLOSE! I have been vascillating between wanting to stop now (calculating what percentage of the txt I've completed...I'd read that for it to have even a chance to work for geno 1s is if you complete 80% of the txt. But then I say to myself, gee, if I go THAT FAR, I should just finish the damn thing.
Okay, so back to the vascillating....I go from THOSE thoughts to wondering how I can get the clinic to give me MORE pegintron so that once the 48 wk stint is complete I can WEAN myself off it and let my body's own immune system take back over gradually. I read a very interesting thread on this theory on medline that was very convincing. But I don't trust my brain these days - I want my b rain back and I want my body back (well, except for the 20 lbs I've lost so far) - they can keep those!
I can't imagine anyone getting through more than 48 wks of this stuff. But I also know if this doesn't work this time for me, I will not be doing this again.
Keeping my fingers crossed that this is going to be a year of fantastic labs for eveyone.
Also, just wanted to say that although most days I can't string together 2 sentences so writing on the computer takes just too much energy, I do read mt hep c buddies blogs very often - keeping you all in my thoughts constantly and sending strength.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Update - Week 25
Whew - I've got a few minutes to myself (Kevin and Emma have gone to the Franklinton Fair) AND I'm feeling 'up to it' :) so wanted to pop in for an update ...especially since I've past the HALF WAY mark now. Time to start counting DOWN - whoopee! 23 more weeks and I'm done with this stuff. Disclaimer: Please forgive the brain-foggy/disjointedness of my thoughts and writing. :)
Let's see - since it's been a couple of months, I'll do a quick treatment recap. I started losing my hair around week 18-19 and it's still shedding. Although my hair has always been fine, I had a lot of it. I went in and had it cut very short again last week and they say that I've lost at least 1/2 of it. Thankfully, it's not in clumps but universal thinning so no bald spots. Em is still hoping though, that I'll get to wear her hot pink curly wig - hehehe. Oh, and unlike some who'd reported that their eyelashes got longer in treatment, mine have lost their curl and just poke straight out - very weird - lol. Another surprise is that my pubic hair became straight, too - haha - who knew?!
It's interesting to see how well the body begins to adjust to the myriad of sides. In the first few months, it's sort of alarming to watch your body falling apart :) but after a while, it's like, oh, there's another thing, oh well. Or I guess it's also that we just get so used to experiencing them, that we learn to accept them and live with them.
The old ones that I continue to have are....continuously itchy scalp, skin disturbances (very very, dry skin, rashes, boils, acne, and keratinosis and skin tags and occasional styes); chills, muscle clenching, headache, increased sinus (post jab); joint and bone aches; anemia; anxiety and fatigue.
Still struggling with the anti-depressant though. I think we've all come to the conclusion that I have a very low tolerance for those things. Last month, I'd been having more symptoms of depression, so the dr. said I should increase my dose of prozac from 15mg to 20mg. But when I did it became extremely ototoxic and I was just miserable. Extreme tinnitis, hyperacusia (certain sounds/frequencies are greatly amplified - such as silverware/dishes clanging together when someone unloads the dishwasher (!), a/c vents, sound machine in bedroom, hum of aquarium, movie theatre audio...and also when people spoke, it sounded like they were talking through a long tin tunnel). Apparently the drugs affected the sensory neural mechanism and caused an intolerance to normal sounds. My brain actually 'ached'. So, needless to say, they told me to go back down to 15 mgs and have suggested that I am one of those in the population who are extremely sensitive to certain classes of drugs, ADs being one.
Also still experiencing some tinnitis but the new symptom is that I have developed a very nasty thrush and have had ulcers on my gum and under my tongue for about 3 weeks now. I'm taking nystatin for the thrush - the taste of which makes me gag every time. You have to swishy and swallow instead of spit - 4 times a day - 4 ounces of water mixed w/the teapsoon of nystatin - blech!
The silver lining is that I've now lost 10 lbs but I don't recommend this as a weight loss diet for anyone - lol.
The doctor's office called me late Friday with a report of the lab work on Tuesday. My hemoglobin has dropped to 9.9 so they want me to come in on Monday for a shot of procrit (which Schering is providing). Nice to see that they are staying on top of my labs and I won't have to beg for the rescue drugs. I didn't get the complete lab results - will do that on Monday - but apparently most of the other numbers are staying around the same - lower than the normal range but not in the red zone. Good news! Hopefully, the procrit will help with my fatigue.
Onto more fun stuff going on.... we've been immersed in Ancient Egypt lately. It grew from an interest sparked from one of the magic treehouse books, and we just dove in head first. I found a mummy making kit, hieroglyphics, Egyptian beading kit, and so much more....Em also enjoyed seeing Terry's blog photos of he and Magda's trip there...she thought they were so AWESOME.
We went to the Wild Things festival for a few hours last week and got to hold snakes, turtles, saw a monarch hatching, lots of owls (the live animals were all from a rescue group) and also got to make fly fishing lures.
Oh, I guess the other silver lining is that since I've been dealing with all these mouth and throat issues, I've gotten more audio books for Em and I (since I can't read out loud as often or as long). She's been reading more herself AND I've been actually getting more time to read some of 'my' books.
Reading has always been a very strong passion with me, but since Em's birth I've been reading more children's books and less adult books. My stack of "books to read" has been quietly growing higher and higher for a while now but now I'm beginning to put a small niche in the stack. I finally read Barbara Kingsolver's Poisonwood Bible. OMG - I was moved so deeply by so much in that book. I was immensely affected and it made me want to research and read more about the different countries in Africa. I also have read the first four (starting the 5th) book in the series about the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, set it Botswana.....love, love, love them.
The weather is finally beginning to cool off and is so glorious lately. With so many local festivals and fairs this time of year we're out and about several times a week. We're excited about Halloween and have been working on costumes. Emma is going to be a Vampire Witch, I'm going to be a Goth Vampire and Kevin is going to be a skeleton. We're going to a homeschool group Halloween party on Friday night and then we'll go trick or treating on Halloween night. Emma is SO excited :)
Well, I'm getting really tired so need to close for now. Will try to post results from the lab and procrit soon. Definitely will try not to wait so long for my next update. Hoping everyone is doing well out there - keeping you all in my thoughts.
xxx, d
Let's see - since it's been a couple of months, I'll do a quick treatment recap. I started losing my hair around week 18-19 and it's still shedding. Although my hair has always been fine, I had a lot of it. I went in and had it cut very short again last week and they say that I've lost at least 1/2 of it. Thankfully, it's not in clumps but universal thinning so no bald spots. Em is still hoping though, that I'll get to wear her hot pink curly wig - hehehe. Oh, and unlike some who'd reported that their eyelashes got longer in treatment, mine have lost their curl and just poke straight out - very weird - lol. Another surprise is that my pubic hair became straight, too - haha - who knew?!
It's interesting to see how well the body begins to adjust to the myriad of sides. In the first few months, it's sort of alarming to watch your body falling apart :) but after a while, it's like, oh, there's another thing, oh well. Or I guess it's also that we just get so used to experiencing them, that we learn to accept them and live with them.
The old ones that I continue to have are....continuously itchy scalp, skin disturbances (very very, dry skin, rashes, boils, acne, and keratinosis and skin tags and occasional styes); chills, muscle clenching, headache, increased sinus (post jab); joint and bone aches; anemia; anxiety and fatigue.
Still struggling with the anti-depressant though. I think we've all come to the conclusion that I have a very low tolerance for those things. Last month, I'd been having more symptoms of depression, so the dr. said I should increase my dose of prozac from 15mg to 20mg. But when I did it became extremely ototoxic and I was just miserable. Extreme tinnitis, hyperacusia (certain sounds/frequencies are greatly amplified - such as silverware/dishes clanging together when someone unloads the dishwasher (!), a/c vents, sound machine in bedroom, hum of aquarium, movie theatre audio...and also when people spoke, it sounded like they were talking through a long tin tunnel). Apparently the drugs affected the sensory neural mechanism and caused an intolerance to normal sounds. My brain actually 'ached'. So, needless to say, they told me to go back down to 15 mgs and have suggested that I am one of those in the population who are extremely sensitive to certain classes of drugs, ADs being one.
Also still experiencing some tinnitis but the new symptom is that I have developed a very nasty thrush and have had ulcers on my gum and under my tongue for about 3 weeks now. I'm taking nystatin for the thrush - the taste of which makes me gag every time. You have to swishy and swallow instead of spit - 4 times a day - 4 ounces of water mixed w/the teapsoon of nystatin - blech!
The silver lining is that I've now lost 10 lbs but I don't recommend this as a weight loss diet for anyone - lol.
The doctor's office called me late Friday with a report of the lab work on Tuesday. My hemoglobin has dropped to 9.9 so they want me to come in on Monday for a shot of procrit (which Schering is providing). Nice to see that they are staying on top of my labs and I won't have to beg for the rescue drugs. I didn't get the complete lab results - will do that on Monday - but apparently most of the other numbers are staying around the same - lower than the normal range but not in the red zone. Good news! Hopefully, the procrit will help with my fatigue.
Onto more fun stuff going on.... we've been immersed in Ancient Egypt lately. It grew from an interest sparked from one of the magic treehouse books, and we just dove in head first. I found a mummy making kit, hieroglyphics, Egyptian beading kit, and so much more....Em also enjoyed seeing Terry's blog photos of he and Magda's trip there...she thought they were so AWESOME.
We went to the Wild Things festival for a few hours last week and got to hold snakes, turtles, saw a monarch hatching, lots of owls (the live animals were all from a rescue group) and also got to make fly fishing lures.
Oh, I guess the other silver lining is that since I've been dealing with all these mouth and throat issues, I've gotten more audio books for Em and I (since I can't read out loud as often or as long). She's been reading more herself AND I've been actually getting more time to read some of 'my' books.
Reading has always been a very strong passion with me, but since Em's birth I've been reading more children's books and less adult books. My stack of "books to read" has been quietly growing higher and higher for a while now but now I'm beginning to put a small niche in the stack. I finally read Barbara Kingsolver's Poisonwood Bible. OMG - I was moved so deeply by so much in that book. I was immensely affected and it made me want to research and read more about the different countries in Africa. I also have read the first four (starting the 5th) book in the series about the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, set it Botswana.....love, love, love them.
The weather is finally beginning to cool off and is so glorious lately. With so many local festivals and fairs this time of year we're out and about several times a week. We're excited about Halloween and have been working on costumes. Emma is going to be a Vampire Witch, I'm going to be a Goth Vampire and Kevin is going to be a skeleton. We're going to a homeschool group Halloween party on Friday night and then we'll go trick or treating on Halloween night. Emma is SO excited :)
Well, I'm getting really tired so need to close for now. Will try to post results from the lab and procrit soon. Definitely will try not to wait so long for my next update. Hoping everyone is doing well out there - keeping you all in my thoughts.
xxx, d
Friday, August 17, 2007
Week 16, I think
Thank goodness, the prozac seems to be working with none of the nasty sides. I'm thinking I might increase it by .05 soon. My next appointment w/Dr. Balart is Aug 22 so I'll speak to him then about it. With hurricane season upon us, I just realized that I also need to discuss a backup plan for my meds/tests in case we need to evacuate again.
I had developed an UTI last week but so far, it looks like the 3 days rx of jumbo cipro has cleared it up. Funny thing, I couldn't get an appointment anywhere until 2 wks down the road, so went to a walk in clinic (you know those doc-in-the-boxes?). They were surprisingly wonderful . Even put me in a separate 'well room' because I am immuno suppressed. They also ran a cbc for me which I should be getting back maybe today. When they drew the blood for the cbc, the blood wouldn't clot at first and was dripping down my arm (Emma was like, WOW, COOL!), so they're thinking my platelets might have dropped. It's been 3 wks since my last lab report which I never got around to posting so here they are:
HGB - 10.4
HCT - 33
RBC - 3.1
WBC - 2.38
NEUTS - 1.32
Platelets - 217
Still Undetected
I still have 2 more or less slower moving zombie days and usually one out of commission day' (the day after the interferon shot). The rest of the days I'm merely fatigued, brain fogged and raw butted (sorry ) from the 4 month long diarrhea, but still manage to go about my life - just slower :). I try to plan/use my energy in short bursts with all I can muster during those in between times, alternating between cleaning a bit, grocery shopping, library, cooking, and learning and playing with Emma...and taking lots of quickie naps in between.
I've pretty much dropped out of life everywhere and have made my world more managable during this treatment by making it smaller for now. Stopped being active with my local homeschool group, stopped being active on hep c forums, etc...and am instead focusing soley on me, Kevin and Emma, for the here and now. I have to conserve my energy and use it only for our family for now.
We started homeschooling this week so there's lots of prep and gathering been going on. Emma's very excited today as we're going to be doing an explosive type experiment with mentos and 1 liter diet cokes. Should be pretty darned exciting :)
The other night, we set the alarm and got up in the wee hours to watch the Persied meteor showers. Took our blanket and pillows and just gazed up at all the shooting 'stars' and chatted the night away. A very relaxing and sweet night.
We had a visit from my girlfriend, Sherri, last week. She brought her daughter, Sam, to play with Em, brough lunch and then proceeded to clean my kitchen for me - right down to scrubbing the stove. She also helped me throw away a growing collection of magazines that have been accumulating. That was SO hard ;) I love my oprah, eating well, gourmet, decorating and yoga magazines - but I also know I NEVER go back and reread them! I need to LET GO! I made the agreement w/Sherri that as as soon as I get my health back, I'll come over and help her clear the clutter at her house, too. Well, she's already helping me and not herself because she ended up bringing home a stack of the mags I was throwing away. I guess a lot of us share that addiction :). She's coming back next week to give me a haircut (she's also a wonderful stylist).
Life goes on, the days and weeks are beginning to run together. Still we're just putting one foot in front of the other...It's darned hard, but I know we're going to get there and be HCV free in the end.
I had developed an UTI last week but so far, it looks like the 3 days rx of jumbo cipro has cleared it up. Funny thing, I couldn't get an appointment anywhere until 2 wks down the road, so went to a walk in clinic (you know those doc-in-the-boxes?). They were surprisingly wonderful . Even put me in a separate 'well room' because I am immuno suppressed. They also ran a cbc for me which I should be getting back maybe today. When they drew the blood for the cbc, the blood wouldn't clot at first and was dripping down my arm (Emma was like, WOW, COOL!)
HGB - 10.4
HCT - 33
RBC - 3.1
WBC - 2.38
NEUTS - 1.32
Platelets - 217
Still Undetected
I still have 2 more or less slower moving zombie days and usually one out of commission day' (the day after the interferon shot). The rest of the days I'm merely fatigued, brain fogged and raw butted (sorry ) from the 4 month long diarrhea, but still manage to go about my life - just slower :). I try to plan/use my energy in short bursts with all I can muster during those in between times, alternating between cleaning a bit, grocery shopping, library, cooking, and learning and playing with Emma...and taking lots of quickie naps in between.
I've pretty much dropped out of life everywhere and have made my world more managable during this treatment by making it smaller for now. Stopped being active with my local homeschool group, stopped being active on hep c forums, etc...and am instead focusing soley on me, Kevin and Emma, for the here and now. I have to conserve my energy and use it only for our family for now.
We started homeschooling this week so there's lots of prep and gathering been going on. Emma's very excited today as we're going to be doing an explosive type experiment with mentos and 1 liter diet cokes. Should be pretty darned exciting :)
The other night, we set the alarm and got up in the wee hours to watch the Persied meteor showers. Took our blanket and pillows and just gazed up at all the shooting 'stars' and chatted the night away. A very relaxing and sweet night.We had a visit from my girlfriend, Sherri, last week. She brought her daughter, Sam, to play with Em, brough lunch and then proceeded to clean my kitchen for me - right down to scrubbing the stove. She also helped me throw away a growing collection of magazines that have been accumulating. That was SO hard ;) I love my oprah, eating well, gourmet, decorating and yoga magazines - but I also know I NEVER go back and reread them! I need to LET GO! I made the agreement w/Sherri that as as soon as I get my health back, I'll come over and help her clear the clutter at her house, too. Well, she's already helping me and not herself because she ended up bringing home a stack of the mags I was throwing away. I guess a lot of us share that addiction :). She's coming back next week to give me a haircut (she's also a wonderful stylist).
Life goes on, the days and weeks are beginning to run together. Still we're just putting one foot in front of the other...It's darned hard, but I know we're going to get there and be HCV free in the end.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Still here, heading into week 15
Sorry I haven't updated the blog in awhile. As many of you know, I've been struggling w/depression caused by the interferon.
I now have been on prozac for the past week or so. They've started me off at a low dose (10mg) and so far I'm not having any intolerable sides from it. The sides I've noticed negatively are dry mouth, a bit of cotton brain, diarrhea, and lack of appetite. I'm feeling cautiously optimistic about this since I had such a horrible reaction to the lexapro! The really good thing is that I am feeling more level emotionally. It hasn't been a 'light bulb' effect...more like a gradual evening out....a coming up for air.
Update: okay, blah - going from how I felt today, perhaps prozac is not my silver bullet...Kevin, Em and I were going into the city to my MIL's home for a birthday gathering (hers). We were all looking forward to it, but then while trying to get ready, it seemed that everyone was pushing my fricking buttons. Plus, I couldn't find anything I needed to try to look 'presentable'. People use my things and don't return them...typical when you're living with other people, especially children I know....but it seemed very overwhelming to me finally and I just broke down. I was feeling so jittery and teary and irritable. It was time to leave so I made the split decision to stay home, and send them off to the party.
What I felt I needed most was to lie on the sofa in a quiet house and watch a good movie. Maybe the prozac takes longer to work - it's only been 9 days. Oh well, I'll wait a while longer and see what happens and keep my fingers crossed. Took 1/2 xanax about 10 minutes ago and am already feeling more myself.
It's still hard to find stamina for much these days, and I find that I need to conserve & focus what energy I can muster into Emma, Kevin and our household.
I took Em to the park Friday and stayed for 3 hours. When we got back to the car, the thermostat said it was 99 degrees (w/probably 100% humidity). I was drinking lots of water, but geez, the heat was just incredible. On the drive home, my whole body was throbbing and I thought I was going to have to pull off the road. Luckily we saw a snow ball stand and I was rescued by a coconut snowball...Em enjoyed an ice cream flavored one. But WHEW, holy moly - it was way too much....had to take a nap when we got home. Must remember to set time limits in this heat or well, anything that requires any energy : )!
I now have been on prozac for the past week or so. They've started me off at a low dose (10mg) and so far I'm not having any intolerable sides from it. The sides I've noticed negatively are dry mouth, a bit of cotton brain, diarrhea, and lack of appetite. I'm feeling cautiously optimistic about this since I had such a horrible reaction to the lexapro! The really good thing is that I am feeling more level emotionally. It hasn't been a 'light bulb' effect...more like a gradual evening out....a coming up for air.
Update: okay, blah - going from how I felt today, perhaps prozac is not my silver bullet...Kevin, Em and I were going into the city to my MIL's home for a birthday gathering (hers). We were all looking forward to it, but then while trying to get ready, it seemed that everyone was pushing my fricking buttons. Plus, I couldn't find anything I needed to try to look 'presentable'. People use my things and don't return them...typical when you're living with other people, especially children I know....but it seemed very overwhelming to me finally and I just broke down. I was feeling so jittery and teary and irritable. It was time to leave so I made the split decision to stay home, and send them off to the party.
What I felt I needed most was to lie on the sofa in a quiet house and watch a good movie. Maybe the prozac takes longer to work - it's only been 9 days. Oh well, I'll wait a while longer and see what happens and keep my fingers crossed. Took 1/2 xanax about 10 minutes ago and am already feeling more myself.
It's still hard to find stamina for much these days, and I find that I need to conserve & focus what energy I can muster into Emma, Kevin and our household.
I took Em to the park Friday and stayed for 3 hours. When we got back to the car, the thermostat said it was 99 degrees (w/probably 100% humidity). I was drinking lots of water, but geez, the heat was just incredible. On the drive home, my whole body was throbbing and I thought I was going to have to pull off the road. Luckily we saw a snow ball stand and I was rescued by a coconut snowball...Em enjoyed an ice cream flavored one. But WHEW, holy moly - it was way too much....had to take a nap when we got home. Must remember to set time limits in this heat or well, anything that requires any energy : )!
Monday, July 16, 2007
10th Week's Lab Results are.....
I'm UNDETECTED!
I was so very pleased and excited to get the call this morning. I've sort of been holding my breath, hoping I'd make that first hurdle...finally able to exhale for now :)
Here are the rest of my PCR numbers (red highlighted are most recent, in case anyone is confused - others are from beginning of treatment and every 2 wks' labs):
HGB 14.1 11.1 10.6 10.3 11.1 10.4
HCT 40 33 34 33 36 32
RBC 4.5 3.7 3.5 3.2 3.3 3.0
WBC 6.19 3.45 2.78 3.21 2.60 2.78
NEUT 3.41 1.45 1.36 1.58 1.49 1.54
PLTs 335 293 326 274 278 217
VL 10.8 mil 1.5 mil 7,910 1,530 325 <30 UNDETECTED!
WOO HOO
I was so very pleased and excited to get the call this morning. I've sort of been holding my breath, hoping I'd make that first hurdle...finally able to exhale for now :)
Here are the rest of my PCR numbers (red highlighted are most recent, in case anyone is confused - others are from beginning of treatment and every 2 wks' labs):
HGB 14.1 11.1 10.6 10.3 11.1 10.4
HCT 40 33 34 33 36 32
RBC 4.5 3.7 3.5 3.2 3.3 3.0
WBC 6.19 3.45 2.78 3.21 2.60 2.78
NEUT 3.41 1.45 1.36 1.58 1.49 1.54
PLTs 335 293 326 274 278 217
VL 10.8 mil 1.5 mil 7,910 1,530 325 <30 UNDETECTED!
WOO HOO
Thursday, July 5, 2007
8 week results
Today will be the 10th shot...only 38 more weeks to go!
The nurse phoned this morning and gave me my latest lab report from the 8 wk mark. I was very surprised and disappointed to learn that I'm NOT undetected yet. Viral load was down to 325.well, hopefully the next report...
I can't get the info out of my head that we've all read about...if you're not undetected by week 12, your chances of clearing the virus are down to 3%. It's made me wonder what the percentage is if you've not cleared by 8 weeks? 10 weeks? ARGH - I know it's best not to even 'go there', but instead try to stay positive and keep believing that I WILL clear. But it's hard not to let those fears sneak in...well, I guess it's only normal for them to sneak in, but the important thing is to not allow them to roost there :)
I'm feeling relatively good these days with the worst one being the day following the shot day. The day following the last shot, I thought things were going to be different. I even got up and ran several errands but by early afternoon, the dreaded headache showed up and sent me scooting under the covers with my blackout mask. Still, it seemsthat I'm getting on okay with all of this.
With my HGB bouncing back from a 10.3 to 11.1, I'm getting around and doing lots of things. We went to the circus in Biloxi last Sunday, then went out to Pirate's Cove and had dinner by the canal with Robert and Sherry, and THEN we went 2 towns over to watch pre-4th fireworks on the lakefront in Mandeville. It was a lot to do in one day under even normal circumstances, but we all had fun, and we ALL slept like rocks that evening.
I continue to see sides from the meds. Nothing I can't handle at this point, more annoyances so far. My white blood cells fell to the lowest yet at 2.6 and I'm seeing the effects of that. I have an infection starting under my thumbnail - but I'm on it w/hydrogen peroxide and an antibiotic ointment. Also, lower molars are very sensitive and back of throat and gum area a bit inflamed. I have the biotene toothpaste and also a perio rinse which my dentist had given me which hopefully will keep problems at bay.
The solaraze gel that the dermatologist has me using for the AKs on my face is going through its phases. Geez it was looking real nasty for about a week there, with all of the AK spots blistering up and turning red and angry looking, now drying up and peeling away. Hey, it's like a chemical peel, I guess, and the skin underneath looks much healtheir and younger than before. Yay - that's something at least! :)
We had fun last night on our 4th holiday. Dined on barbecued ribs on the grill, homemade potato salad, sweet corn on the cob, a platter of homegrown tomatoes and avocados...yummy!
Then after dinner, I sat on the porch swing and watched Kevin and Emma have a blast selecting and setting off all the fireworks we bought. Oh, the squeals and oohs and ahhhs! Glorious!
Take care all, xxx
The nurse phoned this morning and gave me my latest lab report from the 8 wk mark. I was very surprised and disappointed to learn that I'm NOT undetected yet. Viral load was down to 325.
I can't get the info out of my head that we've all read about...if you're not undetected by week 12, your chances of clearing the virus are down to 3%. It's made me wonder what the percentage is if you've not cleared by 8 weeks? 10 weeks? ARGH - I know it's best not to even 'go there', but instead try to stay positive and keep believing that I WILL clear. But it's hard not to let those fears sneak in...well, I guess it's only normal for them to sneak in, but the important thing is to not allow them to roost there :)
I'm feeling relatively good these days with the worst one being the day following the shot day. The day following the last shot, I thought things were going to be different. I even got up and ran several errands but by early afternoon, the dreaded headache showed up and sent me scooting under the covers with my blackout mask. Still, it seems
With my HGB bouncing back from a 10.3 to 11.1, I'm getting around and doing lots of things. We went to the circus in Biloxi last Sunday, then went out to Pirate's Cove and had dinner by the canal with Robert and Sherry, and THEN we went 2 towns over to watch pre-4th fireworks on the lakefront in Mandeville. It was a lot to do in one day under even normal circumstances, but we all had fun, and we ALL slept like rocks that evening
I continue to see sides from the meds. Nothing I can't handle at this point, more annoyances so far. My white blood cells fell to the lowest yet at 2.6 and I'm seeing the effects of that. I have an infection starting under my thumbnail - but I'm on it w/hydrogen peroxide and an antibiotic ointment. Also, lower molars are very sensitive and back of throat and gum area a bit inflamed. I have the biotene toothpaste and also a perio rinse which my dentist had given me which hopefully will keep problems at bay.
The solaraze gel that the dermatologist has me using for the AKs on my face is going through its phases. Geez it was looking real nasty for about a week there, with all of the AK spots blistering up and turning red and angry looking, now drying up and peeling away. Hey, it's like a chemical peel, I guess, and the skin underneath looks much healtheir and younger than before. Yay - that's something at least! :)
We had fun last night on our 4th holiday. Dined on barbecued ribs on the grill, homemade potato salad, sweet corn on the cob, a platter of homegrown tomatoes and avocados...yummy!
Then after dinner, I sat on the porch swing and watched Kevin and Emma have a blast selecting and setting off all the fireworks we bought. Oh, the squeals and oohs and ahhhs! Glorious!
Take care all, xxx
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