Lymphomartini » recovery http://health.tommusic.net Two parts vodka, one part vermouth, and a splash of blood cancer. Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:52:22 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 Second Round Recovery and the Start of Round Three http://health.tommusic.net/2009/09/second-round-recovery-and-the-start-of-round-three/ http://health.tommusic.net/2009/09/second-round-recovery-and-the-start-of-round-three/#comments Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:49:45 +0000 Tom http://health.tommusic.net/?p=118 Maybe its because of a lower total tumor burden, maybe its because I knew better what to expect, but the effects of this second round of chemotherapy didn’t seem nearly as arduous as the first.

Which is good.

In fact, a few days ago (at the very end of the second round) I was feeling energetic and upbeat. Back to my old tricks!

Just in time for a follow-up visit with Dr Norman (blog post coming soon) and then the start of my third round of chemotherapy.

I’m writing this from an undisclosed location with comfy couches, salami sandwiches, and no sales tax. A chemo-retreat with some family. We’ve earned some relaxation!

]]> http://health.tommusic.net/2009/09/second-round-recovery-and-the-start-of-round-three/feed/ 1 Same As Before, Only Different http://health.tommusic.net/2009/08/same-as-before-only-different/ http://health.tommusic.net/2009/08/same-as-before-only-different/#comments Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:15:38 +0000 Tom http://health.tommusic.net/2009/08/same-as-before-only-different/ Since I wasn’t reacting so strongly to the chemo this time, the doctor didn’t prescribe any Ondansetron for the first day of recovery.

Also, since I wasn’t in the same intense pain as last time when I started chemo, I’m not all hopped up on opiates today.

This means I’m fully awake and aware to notice the return of metal mouth. I haven’t had anything to eat yet, but my mouth already has a metallic taste.

Not to mention that my head and stomach feel hung-over. I already had a bit of that before I started sleeping for 10 hours though.

Another interesting point about today: my doctor felt that with how low my blood counts were before chemo, and with the expected drop due to the chemo, that I ought to have a round of colony stimulating factor treatments. These treatments use a genetically modified form of E-coli bacteria to deliver a message telling my bone marrow to ramp up neutrophil production.

Once a day for the next five days I’ll be filling up a syringe and injecting myself in my belly. This five days of treatment would have cost $1300 without insurance! With insurance: $34. And it’s got to stay refridgerated or it’ll go bad.

Now I will sip my coffee and hope it takes not of metal. Cheers!

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