I went to see my oncologist, Dr. Fastenberg, today. I so appreciate all the time he takes with me, answering my questions, and analyzing test results with me. He's worried about blood clots, since of course, I had the pulmonary embolism. I may not be so lucky next time. He's decided to ditch the coumadin in favor of an inject-able but first he has to get it approved by my health insurance.
If we can go that route, I won't have to get blood draws twice a week and subject my neutropenic self to hanging about with sick people. Dr. F says my lung disease is a very limiting factor in my ability to fight cancer of any kind. He was also quite appalled by my battered right arm, which makes me look like a junkie. And of course, he was dismayed that I'd had another exacerbation. Well, it is Fall and Winter, if I have to be a regular patron of the blood lab, will be quite a challenge. So anyway, let's hope he can get that inject-able anticoagulant approved. My money is on him... :) Oooh, quite literally. :P
Then I told him I would like to go back to work, and he said I was nuts. However, he said, I could telecommute. It's hard to explain, but I love my job; I love analysis and people and numbers... I never knew I wanted to do this, but when they put me there, I was so happy. It was my niche; I was good at it, and it's fun and challenging and makes my brain feel good. :)
I've already spoken to my manager, and he's good with it all, and so I got my "Return to Work/Functional Capacities Form" all filled out by Dr. F, with a return to work of 28 November. YAY! This will be a very THANKFUL Thanksgiving, for sure.
I have to go back next Tuesday and get my Aranesp shot. Oh, and I got lots of mail from my insurance company; they have approved the shots and are covering them. I love my oncologist and every single person at Ironwood Cancer and Research Center.
Of course, I had my Camptosar infusion today, so I'm feeling a bit blecchy right now. Must drink lots of fluids and get this stuff to run its course.
Love to all, and hugs as well.
Showing posts with label coumadin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coumadin. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
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!
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!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Cough... Cough
Well, whatever this malady is that is now affecting my lungs, it seems to be pretty tenacious. I had lots of liquids today, some chicken soup, and still, the goopiness persists.
Doc called to tell me to stop the coumadin for a couple of days because my INR was up to 5. Ai carumba! Don't get a paper-cut, or bang your knee on a table. I have to go in to see him on Monday afternoon. Got more lab testing on Monday morning; the regular PT/INR and then my pre-chemo stuff, the CBC and platelets with differentials.
The worry I have is that they won't let me do my chemo on Tuesday if this coughing is still active. Although, frankly, I can't see how it will make a difference. But that's me... I worry.
Oh yes, I am sucking on my hookah again. I figure if I do it just before I try to get to bed, I should have a better chance at getting to sleep, despite being wired up. Much easier to sleep when you can breathe. :)
Sometimes it just gets overwhelming, the things you have to do to try to survive cancer. My left leg is swelling again, at the foot and ankle. I was hoping that would go away with the coumadin and the dissolving of the DVT. Maybe it is just going to take longer than I want. At least the pain in my thigh is a thing of the past.
Then, there's the watching of the glucose levels, my heart rate, my oxygen saturation, my temperature, my weight, the condition of my feet and my hands, and good gods, how on earth do we survive as a species? We're so complicated and have so many systems that can break down!
I need to go get new glasses, but my vision changes almost every day. That's the chemo. It's just all so weird.
But, it's time to try to get some sleep. Monday is Samhain, or Halloween, and I have lots and lots of family and other loved ones that have passed beyond this world, and I want to honor them and remember them and ensure they know that death doesn't end the loving.
Peace and love.
Doc called to tell me to stop the coumadin for a couple of days because my INR was up to 5. Ai carumba! Don't get a paper-cut, or bang your knee on a table. I have to go in to see him on Monday afternoon. Got more lab testing on Monday morning; the regular PT/INR and then my pre-chemo stuff, the CBC and platelets with differentials.
The worry I have is that they won't let me do my chemo on Tuesday if this coughing is still active. Although, frankly, I can't see how it will make a difference. But that's me... I worry.
Oh yes, I am sucking on my hookah again. I figure if I do it just before I try to get to bed, I should have a better chance at getting to sleep, despite being wired up. Much easier to sleep when you can breathe. :)
Sometimes it just gets overwhelming, the things you have to do to try to survive cancer. My left leg is swelling again, at the foot and ankle. I was hoping that would go away with the coumadin and the dissolving of the DVT. Maybe it is just going to take longer than I want. At least the pain in my thigh is a thing of the past.
Then, there's the watching of the glucose levels, my heart rate, my oxygen saturation, my temperature, my weight, the condition of my feet and my hands, and good gods, how on earth do we survive as a species? We're so complicated and have so many systems that can break down!
I need to go get new glasses, but my vision changes almost every day. That's the chemo. It's just all so weird.
But, it's time to try to get some sleep. Monday is Samhain, or Halloween, and I have lots and lots of family and other loved ones that have passed beyond this world, and I want to honor them and remember them and ensure they know that death doesn't end the loving.
Peace and love.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Hell's Bells!
Ok, I had turned off the Air Conditioner last week, when we were experiencing high 70's through high 80's weather and it was great, but this week, we're back to high 90's again. This is actually normal for us here in the Phoenix metropolitan (dang, that word is a pain to type!) area for this time of year.
If you notice on my Weather Channel widget, our lows are great; tonight we'll hit 64... blanket weather! ;) So, now that the sun is long past being down, all my windows and doors are open and the fans and cross currents are bringing that cooler air into the house. And it's LOVELY!
Jane says she heard our Great Horned Owls last night, so I hope I get a chance to hear them soon. Our bats were back again this evening as we were all out enjoying the sunset and the cooler temperatures.
Went and had my PT/INR today, since Dr. R has changed my schedule from Monday and Friday to Monday and Thursday. Had a chat with my case worker from my insurance company, wondering WHY this time, they wouldn't cover the Coumadin Clinic. She's going to find out. Seems my insurance isn't covering quite a few things these days, not the least of which is the only sleep aid that I, as a person with advanced lung disease, can actually use.
Yes, I broke down and asked Dr. R for a sleeping pill to use on my Dreaded Decadron Insomnia nights. He prescribed Rozerem, which doesn't have a sedative effect, which would be a bad thing for a person with lung disease and sleep apnea. But my insurance company said "prescribe Ambien" to which my doc said... diplomatically... "NO!"
Oh sure, I could spring for it myself, but for two nights in a month, they can bite me... I'll just stay up all night. It's not cheap, by the way. And frankly, I have other, much more important, priorities on my finances right now. But, you know, I'm freaking sick of non-medically trained bureaucrats (dang, that's even harder to type!) telling MY DOCTOR how to prescribe medicine, when they don't know crap about me as a patient. Yeah, I'm perturbed... which is nicer than saying this pisses me off royally. Probably because I'm sleep-deprived. Alas.
Still, all in all, life as I know it is fantastic, beaurocracy-ridden insurance companies notwithstanding, and so, I have a smile on my face, a song in my heart and a glass of red wine at my side. I have a huge family that loves me to bits, friends that give me shoulders galore, and chihuahuas that provide unquestioning adoration. For what more could one wish? A freaking good night's sleep on Dreaded Decadron Insomnia nights!!!!!
And could I also ask to be rid of this silly twitch in my left eye?
Love to all. :)
If you notice on my Weather Channel widget, our lows are great; tonight we'll hit 64... blanket weather! ;) So, now that the sun is long past being down, all my windows and doors are open and the fans and cross currents are bringing that cooler air into the house. And it's LOVELY!
Jane says she heard our Great Horned Owls last night, so I hope I get a chance to hear them soon. Our bats were back again this evening as we were all out enjoying the sunset and the cooler temperatures.
Went and had my PT/INR today, since Dr. R has changed my schedule from Monday and Friday to Monday and Thursday. Had a chat with my case worker from my insurance company, wondering WHY this time, they wouldn't cover the Coumadin Clinic. She's going to find out. Seems my insurance isn't covering quite a few things these days, not the least of which is the only sleep aid that I, as a person with advanced lung disease, can actually use.
Yes, I broke down and asked Dr. R for a sleeping pill to use on my Dreaded Decadron Insomnia nights. He prescribed Rozerem, which doesn't have a sedative effect, which would be a bad thing for a person with lung disease and sleep apnea. But my insurance company said "prescribe Ambien" to which my doc said... diplomatically... "NO!"
Oh sure, I could spring for it myself, but for two nights in a month, they can bite me... I'll just stay up all night. It's not cheap, by the way. And frankly, I have other, much more important, priorities on my finances right now. But, you know, I'm freaking sick of non-medically trained bureaucrats (dang, that's even harder to type!) telling MY DOCTOR how to prescribe medicine, when they don't know crap about me as a patient. Yeah, I'm perturbed... which is nicer than saying this pisses me off royally. Probably because I'm sleep-deprived. Alas.
Still, all in all, life as I know it is fantastic, beaurocracy-ridden insurance companies notwithstanding, and so, I have a smile on my face, a song in my heart and a glass of red wine at my side. I have a huge family that loves me to bits, friends that give me shoulders galore, and chihuahuas that provide unquestioning adoration. For what more could one wish? A freaking good night's sleep on Dreaded Decadron Insomnia nights!!!!!
And could I also ask to be rid of this silly twitch in my left eye?
Love to all. :)
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Decadron Insomnia
I'm happily adding this post via my Motorola Xoom, which is the reason for reverting back to a regular Blogger template. Plus, I missed my gadgets and widgets and the ability to go wild with colors. :)
So I saw Dr. Fastenberg today and he was concerned about the pain in my leg from the DVT. He says that sometimes, in the presence of malignancies, blood clots require more than coumadin. He gave me orders to have a D-dimer test done along with my normal CBC and platelets with differentials. In the meantime he wants me to be hyper aware of my breathing, and to check my O2 saturation and my heart rates. You just know that the Queen of Neuroses is chomping on the bit to be released from my non-existent basement!
I'll be seeing Dr. Ramaswamy, my primary care doctor, on Thursday, so I'll be sure to discuss the pain issue with him. He knows that I don't do painkillers very well. I think I may discuss other options with him. Acupuncture is being used for cancer-related pain, and I believe my insurance would cover it. And believe me, any fear I used to have when it comes to needles is long gone!
Now, I'll try to at least get some rest, as I know how the dreaded decadron insomnia will screw with me. :)
Love and hugs to all!
So I saw Dr. Fastenberg today and he was concerned about the pain in my leg from the DVT. He says that sometimes, in the presence of malignancies, blood clots require more than coumadin. He gave me orders to have a D-dimer test done along with my normal CBC and platelets with differentials. In the meantime he wants me to be hyper aware of my breathing, and to check my O2 saturation and my heart rates. You just know that the Queen of Neuroses is chomping on the bit to be released from my non-existent basement!
I'll be seeing Dr. Ramaswamy, my primary care doctor, on Thursday, so I'll be sure to discuss the pain issue with him. He knows that I don't do painkillers very well. I think I may discuss other options with him. Acupuncture is being used for cancer-related pain, and I believe my insurance would cover it. And believe me, any fear I used to have when it comes to needles is long gone!
Now, I'll try to at least get some rest, as I know how the dreaded decadron insomnia will screw with me. :)
Love and hugs to all!
Monday, October 3, 2011
A New Week Begins
Today, I have a noon appointment to get my clotting factor measured. I hope Dr. R. gets me set up at the Coumadin Clinic at Banner Baywood soon. I'm almost out of veins to be tapped.
Tomorrow I'll see Dr. Fastenberg and we'll decide if I am well enough to return to my chemos. Plus I want to see the final CT result for myself. I'm so happy about the shrinkage of my adrenal gland tumor, and thankful for some good news for a change. :)
Nancy and I are going to make three-bean turkey chili for dinner tonight. We're using black beans, kidneys and great northern beans. Jane had made a bunch of sauteed veggies yesterday: Asparagus, red onion, orange, yellow and red bell peppers and jalapenos. We'll finish them off tonight. Actually, I think they'd be great as a topper for the chili.
The turkey chili is a slow-cooker thing so we'll get that put together when we get home from the blood-letting. It will make the house smell so good!
I'm feeling strong enough to take my walker to the lab today, rather than my scooter. Even with the Handicapped parking space, their actual location withing the building they occupy is about as far in as you can get. :D But I'm looking forward to walking on my own two feet. Keep those blood clots at bay!!
Speaking of walking, I'm off to take a gander at my back garden. It's nice and cool this morning, so I must take advantage of the temperature.
Love and hugs to all!
Tomorrow I'll see Dr. Fastenberg and we'll decide if I am well enough to return to my chemos. Plus I want to see the final CT result for myself. I'm so happy about the shrinkage of my adrenal gland tumor, and thankful for some good news for a change. :)
Nancy and I are going to make three-bean turkey chili for dinner tonight. We're using black beans, kidneys and great northern beans. Jane had made a bunch of sauteed veggies yesterday: Asparagus, red onion, orange, yellow and red bell peppers and jalapenos. We'll finish them off tonight. Actually, I think they'd be great as a topper for the chili.
The turkey chili is a slow-cooker thing so we'll get that put together when we get home from the blood-letting. It will make the house smell so good!
I'm feeling strong enough to take my walker to the lab today, rather than my scooter. Even with the Handicapped parking space, their actual location withing the building they occupy is about as far in as you can get. :D But I'm looking forward to walking on my own two feet. Keep those blood clots at bay!!
Speaking of walking, I'm off to take a gander at my back garden. It's nice and cool this morning, so I must take advantage of the temperature.
Love and hugs to all!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Coumadin... ai chihuahua
So, I went to Sonora Quest to get my PT/INR. I was happily anticipating a quick finger prick and then I'd be out of there.
But NO! "We can't do the finger prick; we're not technicians, and we don't have the equipment." But, after looking at my arm and examining the vein options, the phlebotomist says to me, "Don't worry, I'm really good at getting blood from you challenging types." She smiled reassuringly. Frankly, I believed her. After a thorough arm going-over, she went for my hand. It was a perfect job. :)
Then off Nancy and I went to Walgreen's to get the Coumadin. They were surprised to see me. I've had my prescriptions there, at least the ones I can't wait on for my mail order joint, for probably a year... and I've never been in the place until yesterday. Jane and Nancy have always gone to get my drugs. I think they didn't believe I existed.
I was on my pretty red scooter, and thankfully, the aisles of the Walgreen's were uncluttered enough to get through. Plus, I didn't hit a soul. YAY! :D
Jane brought me my favorite salad for dinner, and I made inroads into the See's candy that my friend Annette had brought me in the hospital. Oh lord, they have chocolate covered ginger. WOW, that is SO good! And despite those inroads, my glucose was great this morning. I'm just about back to my weird normal. :)
Dr. Ramaswamy had said that as soon as he got the results from the PT/INR, he'd call to tell me how much Coumadin to take that evening. At 4:30 PM, I decided to call, and they said they didn't have the lab results yet. Gloria, Dr. R's nurse asked me if he'd put STAT on the orders. I couldn't remember. They were odd looking to begin with because they were generated in the hospital, and were not in any way like his normal lab orders.
By 9PM, I was half asleep at my keyboard, so I took my regular evening drugs and went to bed. I figured it was better to not take ANY coumadin than to try and guess what to take. Guessing and blood thinners do not mix.
The phone rang at 11:45PM. Jane got it; Dr. Ramaswamy, beside himself and very apologetic said the test results were still not available, but take a half of one of the coumadin. I did that, and took a Vicodin because my left leg was making it hard to get back to sleep. .... I woke up at 9:15 this morning. Holy moses! I haven't slept that late in years!
And speaking of the devil; just got off the phone with Dr. Ramaswamy who told me how to dose myself for the next couple of days. Then Monday, it's back for another blood letting. Joy. :D
All in all, I'm doing really well. I feel a bit fragile yet, but I think I'm getting stronger every day. Hugs to all!
But NO! "We can't do the finger prick; we're not technicians, and we don't have the equipment." But, after looking at my arm and examining the vein options, the phlebotomist says to me, "Don't worry, I'm really good at getting blood from you challenging types." She smiled reassuringly. Frankly, I believed her. After a thorough arm going-over, she went for my hand. It was a perfect job. :)
Then off Nancy and I went to Walgreen's to get the Coumadin. They were surprised to see me. I've had my prescriptions there, at least the ones I can't wait on for my mail order joint, for probably a year... and I've never been in the place until yesterday. Jane and Nancy have always gone to get my drugs. I think they didn't believe I existed.
I was on my pretty red scooter, and thankfully, the aisles of the Walgreen's were uncluttered enough to get through. Plus, I didn't hit a soul. YAY! :D
Jane brought me my favorite salad for dinner, and I made inroads into the See's candy that my friend Annette had brought me in the hospital. Oh lord, they have chocolate covered ginger. WOW, that is SO good! And despite those inroads, my glucose was great this morning. I'm just about back to my weird normal. :)
Dr. Ramaswamy had said that as soon as he got the results from the PT/INR, he'd call to tell me how much Coumadin to take that evening. At 4:30 PM, I decided to call, and they said they didn't have the lab results yet. Gloria, Dr. R's nurse asked me if he'd put STAT on the orders. I couldn't remember. They were odd looking to begin with because they were generated in the hospital, and were not in any way like his normal lab orders.
By 9PM, I was half asleep at my keyboard, so I took my regular evening drugs and went to bed. I figured it was better to not take ANY coumadin than to try and guess what to take. Guessing and blood thinners do not mix.
The phone rang at 11:45PM. Jane got it; Dr. Ramaswamy, beside himself and very apologetic said the test results were still not available, but take a half of one of the coumadin. I did that, and took a Vicodin because my left leg was making it hard to get back to sleep. .... I woke up at 9:15 this morning. Holy moses! I haven't slept that late in years!
And speaking of the devil; just got off the phone with Dr. Ramaswamy who told me how to dose myself for the next couple of days. Then Monday, it's back for another blood letting. Joy. :D
All in all, I'm doing really well. I feel a bit fragile yet, but I think I'm getting stronger every day. Hugs to all!
Friday, September 30, 2011
I am SO Happy!
It's wonderful to be home. Nancy made me bacon and french toast this morning. I slept through the night with no one coming in at two AM to find out why my heart rate went up. (Dreaming a really good dream and you just woke me out of it?) But the monitoring was most appreciated.
Must make sure I drink plenty of fluids and not walk too much. There's a switch. I got in trouble for walking too much in the hospital. I thought it would be good for me. Oh well.
I am wearing what are now my very favorite pair of earrings. Got 'em on clearance from QVC. Pearls... beautiful, dangly. Let me see if I can find them. They may be sold out. There they are on the link above. I got them in the sunset grouping. So very pretty!
Now, it's time to rest up a bit, because I have to go out at Noon to get my PT/INR at the local lab, then hit Walgreen's to get my coumadin. Oh boy! :D
Hugs to all!
Must make sure I drink plenty of fluids and not walk too much. There's a switch. I got in trouble for walking too much in the hospital. I thought it would be good for me. Oh well.
I am wearing what are now my very favorite pair of earrings. Got 'em on clearance from QVC. Pearls... beautiful, dangly. Let me see if I can find them. They may be sold out. There they are on the link above. I got them in the sunset grouping. So very pretty!
Now, it's time to rest up a bit, because I have to go out at Noon to get my PT/INR at the local lab, then hit Walgreen's to get my coumadin. Oh boy! :D
Hugs to all!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
HOME!
This is just a quick note to let everyone know I am home. I have a couple of new prescriptions, and I have to go to the blood lab tomorrow so they can check my clotting rate (PT/INR), but tonight I can sleep in my own bed, with my own pillows---and life is good!
A special THANK YOU goes out to Rebecca, my RN for at least three nights that I can remember, and to Janet from oncology, you made me laugh, and you made me so very glad to have met you. You are an amazing woman. Good luck on your treasure hunts!
Now, I'm all drugged up and ready for bed. Peace, happiness and love to all.
A special THANK YOU goes out to Rebecca, my RN for at least three nights that I can remember, and to Janet from oncology, you made me laugh, and you made me so very glad to have met you. You are an amazing woman. Good luck on your treasure hunts!
Now, I'm all drugged up and ready for bed. Peace, happiness and love to all.
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