Ugh, no Sleeping

I had to get up and do a breathing treatment, and if you know anything about albuterol, which is what I nebulize in my hookah, you know it makes your heart race, and wires you for sound.  For instance, I'm sitting here at my computer, and my HR is 122, and I can't stop shaking my left leg.... that's one way to get exercise, I guess. ;)


So, I've been playing World of Warcraft.  I just mute my system so I don't wake up the whole household.  There seem to be plenty more insomniacs on line tonight, so I was enjoying a chat with Smacky, a very handsome Orc warrior that is totally epic'd out.  He had kindly notified me that a rare was up, if I was interested in taming it as a pet, since I was on Kauket, my lovely Orc Hunter.  Alas, I would have needed some druid back up, and since I had just started the Firelands quests on Kauket, I did not have them at my disposal.  And believe me, Kauket is NOT epic'd out. :)


Playing World of Warcraft (WoW) when you are having trouble breathing serves an important purpose; it helps me relax, believe it or not.  That way, I stop getting anxious and feeling impending doom.  Anxiety is the worst thing you can develop in the face of an asthma episode.  And yet, it's almost always going to happen because let's face it, it's scary when you can't breathe!  But with the anxiety comes more shortness of breath.


I like to use both WoW and the power of numbers to keep me from getting too neurotic.  For instance, I have my Pulse Oxymeter, which tells me my HR and my Oxygen saturation level (the level of oxygenation in my blood).  Obviously, if my O2 level is showing at 99%, I am in really good shape.  And the breathing treatment that I did earlier is having good results.  I got a little worried I'd be heading to the ER this evening, but I think I'm going to be fine.  I'll just keep an eye on my sats.


Now, I guess since I am nowhere near being able to sleep, I should return to World of Warcraft.


Peace!

Tomorrow's a Big Day

So, I put in nine hours today, and tomorrow I'll work three, and then take a half day vacation, since I'll be spending most of my time at Ironwood. I added a little notebook to my goodie bag, so I can journal if I feel like it.

My two chemos are Carboplatin and Taxol.  I have a book, that they gave me at Ironwood:  "Chemotherapy and You."  It's published by the US Department of Health and Human Services, and it's a very good resource to help you deal with all the issues surrounding Chemotherapy.  I like that it has a list of foods that help mitigate side effects.  It says that if you're having appetite issues, instant breakfast drinks and liquid meal replacements are a good choice.  I also like the fact that on the very first page, it says, "Rather than read this book from beginning to end, look at just those sections you need now.  Later, you can always read more."  Now that is very sensitive.  I'm the type of person that would read it cover to cover, and then get freaked out by stuff in there that may not pertain to me.  Good job, US Department of Health and Human Services!

Well, I really don't have much to say today.  The pain that used to happen only when I ate, is now coming more frequently, and I'll be sure to tell the oncs about that.  It's waking me at night, and I really, really love to sleep. :)  I was just proof-reading this, and every time I call them 'oncs,' I read Orcs.  Better not tell THEM that. ...hehehe.

Anyway, it's time to get to bed.  I need to start work at six, so I can put in my three hours, then get ready for MY BIG DAY.  I'm a bit anxious about the unknown, but not so much that it will interfere with sleep. Mentally, I think I am prepared... well, as much as you can be for this.

If all goes well, I'll tell you all about both the chemo and radiation therapy in tomorrow's post.  Until then, let all of us sleep well and have fabulous dreams.