Something About Exercise

Today, for the first time in ages, I used my NuStep.  I managed a whole six minutes, but I did it at a good pace, and it gave me great satisfaction.  I have set a goal of adding a minute a day, if I can.  I also want to do it every single day, just like I used to before I got sick.  I really NEED to get my strength back.  My sats (oxygen saturation point of my blood) went to 93, but that's OK, as long as it doesn't go below 90,.

Before all this started, I was doing 45 minutes a day on my NuStep.  I credit this fact with helping me survive all the chemos and radiation that I have had so far.  And though I have lapsed in the use of it, I know that getting back to some type of routine exercise can only help with my prognosis.  Besides, I am going to need to get stronger if I want to go back to work.

Jane and Nancy are out at some race at Phoenix International Raceway.  They work there twice a year, but I'm sorry to say, I can't remember for which vendor they work.  It's a great job; it gives them their Winter Solstice money.  So while they were out, I had Cathy go get some Curbside Takeaway from Outback Steakhouse.

Can I tell you JUST how bad I was?  I got the lobster tail add on to go with my Filet with Wild Mushroom sauce.  I was in heaven.  Although, frankly, the lobster was a tad overcooked, it was still very, very yummy.  And Outback does steamed veggies really well!  At least I wasn't so bad that we added one of their desserts to the order.  No Chocolate Thunder from Down Under for us.  ;)  Dammit.

Meanwhile, on the health front, I am SO sick of coughing.  It's been over three weeks of this.  I'm off the prednisone, and finished the Doxycycline, and now I want to be well!  But I am sleeping well, and that is truly helping.  My INR was a bit high, so I had no Coumadin yesterday, but today I will have 2.5 mg and that will continue until Monday, when I have my next test.

So, all in all, I'm really doing well, I think, thanks to all the support and love I get from my family and my friends.  You all take such good care of me!

Oh Xeloda

I took the last four of this week's Xeloda with my breakfast.  We made scrambled eggs and added our leftover veggie melange, which had cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, grey squash and assorted chili peppers.  It was a fine breakfast.

Still coughing up goop from my lungs, although I am done with the prednisone.  I do still have about a week left of the doxycycline.  Yesterday's foray to the phlebotomist was a little challenging.  We had to do two sticks, and my blood did not want to flow.  But, we got what we needed, eventually. :)

Our neighbor, Leslie, thinks chocolate therapy is good for me, so she keeps supplying me with really lovely items.  This week, it was a tiramisu log.  Oh so yummy.  And it's not like I'm wasting away.  My weight is pretty darned stable.  And then Jane's friend Lisa sent individual carrot cakes.  Ai chihuahua.  :)

So, Dr. Ramaswamy said I should wear support socks.  He says my left leg's veins have been injured by the blood clot and that's why I get the swelling.  Have you ever tried to put ON support socks?  I don't breathe all that well on good days, and doubling over trying to wrestle with these socks .... well, let's just say I almost need a nap once I get one on.  And then, you have to put 'em on BOTH legs.  Well, I guess I could just put one on the left leg, but ... nah.  Anywho, it's great exercise, if I don't pass out from lack of oxygen. :D

I've been watching The Next Iron Chef, and this iteration has some of the best chefs ever.  But it's tough, because these folks ARE fantastic chefs, and each week, someone gets tossed, and it's not like there are any slugs in the mix here.  Robert Irvine got tossed because his Hummus was too thick!  Yeah, the line up is that good that something as minor as Hummus that's too thick can get you sent packing.

The Xeloda nausea has been a constant for this round, but it's not horrible.  It doesn't make me retch, it just makes me feel crappy.  But on the bright side, the chilly nights are making me sleep like crazy.  Good, deep, restorative sleep.  YAY!

So, keep warm, all.  And have a great week.

Did My Camptosar

Happily I was able to have my camptosar infusion today, although with the bronchitis and asthma flare up, it's left me a lot more lethargic than usual.  I got my four Xeloda pills down with my dinner.  They are always a joy. :)

I saw my Primary Care yesterday, and he put me on some doxycyline because my sputum was starting to become colorful, and we just can't afford a bacterial pneumonia.  Better to be safe than dead, I say. :D

Of course, tonight will see the Dreaded Decadron Insomnia, but I have books to read, and I reloaded Diablo II, so I can play that for a bit. 

Finally confessed my self-proclaimed "behavioural issue" with Dr. Ramaswamy.  I told him that I have major problems knowing when to complain about symptomatic issues.  It's really, really a difficult issue for me.  Mostly, I told him, I feel like a whiner because that's how I was brought up between my ever-stoic parents and the even more stoic nuns.  He told me to call him if there was any doubt in my mind; any niggle of suspicion that something isn't right.  If we can just deal with it over the phone, then that is what we will do.  He listened to me, and he had an answer for me that makes sense, and so I shall try very hard to stick with this plan.  Dr. Ramaswamy is truly the best.

He says, too, that the swelling of my ankle and foot looks alot better than it did in the hospital, and that the INR rates are very challenging on me because of my chemo drugs, and being on prednisone at the moment.  So we're sticking to Monday and Thursday blood tests.  He did say he was going to have his assistant contact my insurance company and ask about home testing for PT/INR's.  I would do that in a heartbeat.

So, you know, I'm not feeling great, but I'm not back in the hospital, and THAT makes me happy as a clam.  And on that note, I think it's time to hit the hookah.

Love to all, peace on Earth and hugs all 'round!

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Remember just a few days ago when I said something about at least my hair hadn't fallen out?  It's falling, and quite profusely.  Rats, I should have gone and gotten it cut really short again.


On the other hand, summer's almost here, and won't it be cooler to be bald?  And this way, my vacuum cleaner gets a workout. ;)


The sore throat has almost cleared up, still a little nose congestion, but no fever today, whatsoever, so must thank the Doxycycline for doing a fine job.


OH!  We got our first zucchini today!  And from the looks of it, yes, we'll be sharing plenty of squashes with our neighbors.  


The picture below is of my gnome Death Knight, Pinkpepper.  Her hair was pepper shaped, and pink, and thus her name.  She's riding her skeletal raptor.  I hope she has a really GOOD saddle. :D

Alrighty, my friends, sleep well and have wondrous dreams!

Sinus Infection

Well, there's a good reason I was feeling so crappy yesterday.  I've got a sinus infection and probably strep throat.  Last night it felt like a wolf was ripping out my throat every time I swallowed.  Luckily, I got in to see my dear PCP, and Jane's off to get my doxycycline.


I tried working this morning, but I was feeling so miserable I ended up using six hours of sick time.  Then I went back to bed.  The problem is, I have to be able to breathe through my nose, so that I can get my oxygen and use my CPAP.  Hopefully, this antibiotic will do the trick.  I have to be fine for my infusion next week.  We do NOT want to have to reschedule.


Now I have to watch my temp like a hawk and if it spikes up, to the ER I must go.  Actually, right now the only place I want to go is back to bed... and so I shall.


Be well, all... hugs to everyone!