Thursday, August 29, 2013
Pickles
I found a pickle in my fridge that I can actually taste. I bought
them in June after I read this article in the Smithsonian magazine about Why You Like What You Like. In a nut shell: A psychophysicist and food industry
consultant, was asked by Vlasic Pickles to crack “the pickle code.” Losing
market share to Claussen, the Vlasic executives wanted to know: What kind of
pickles did people really want?
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Infusion 3 of 4
Thursday was infusion #3. Entering the home stretch now.
First stop, blood draw.
It was unusually busy compared to my first 2 infusions. There was a wait to get my blood drawn but that was okay because once I was in we had quick success with the blood draw as I assumed the position that worked best on infusion #2.
Next stop, Oncologist.
Not much of a wait here. We spent the first 30 min just shooting the breeze and talking about family and the fascinating life of his brother, the federal judge, spurred by my questions on how judges are selected for cases and what type of protection is needed for high profile cases. He could have talked about it for hours and I could have listened for hours.
Then I busted out my PAX vaporizer and showed him the latest technology in delivering THC from marijuana. For more on medical Mary Jane see my July 22nd post.
Last stop, chemo lounge.
The waiting room was packed! There was quite a wait and the other patients were chatty. Lots of questions and comments directed at me, mostly spurred on by my fading Mohawk.
Finally my name was called. It was so busy they gave me the option of using a private room with its own bathroom. Although I liked the spots near the windows the only one available had a large post blocking most of the view so I choose the private room. Having that bathroom was a perk and when my chemo buddies went out to grab us some lunch I didn't feel bad about eating my piroshki that was hot and smelled so good. Normally I wouldn't do that because I am conscious of the smell affecting the other patients. Private room kept the smell of our lunches contained.
My blood levels were good as reported by my oncologist and the ooh's and ahh's I got from the nurses in the chemo lounge. Those nurses are rock stars. I brought them them a local treat, Almond Roca, and they were just cute as can be hugging the container and offering many thanks.
We found out the nurses have a little thing on Thursdays. They all wear pearls. So next time my chemo buddies and I will wear pearls in solidarity.
At home now:
It has been two days and I feel tired but happy. I am off to a good start for what is supposed to be the worst week. Taste buds went dead by Friday morning so it's all about texture and staying hydrated until the buds start to wake up again in week three. Meanwhile I torture myself by watching cooking shows. I love food porn.
Sleep has been eluding me but that is due to the Dexamethasone I take before and a few days following infusions. This is temporary though and I look forward to naps.
Upcoming post:
I have been researching the history and evolution of chemotherapy. My attention span is best in the morning so I try to work on it a little everyday. It has been fun and I look forward to completing it.
First stop, blood draw.
It was unusually busy compared to my first 2 infusions. There was a wait to get my blood drawn but that was okay because once I was in we had quick success with the blood draw as I assumed the position that worked best on infusion #2.
Next stop, Oncologist.
Not much of a wait here. We spent the first 30 min just shooting the breeze and talking about family and the fascinating life of his brother, the federal judge, spurred by my questions on how judges are selected for cases and what type of protection is needed for high profile cases. He could have talked about it for hours and I could have listened for hours.
Then I busted out my PAX vaporizer and showed him the latest technology in delivering THC from marijuana. For more on medical Mary Jane see my July 22nd post.
Last stop, chemo lounge.
The waiting room was packed! There was quite a wait and the other patients were chatty. Lots of questions and comments directed at me, mostly spurred on by my fading Mohawk.
Finally my name was called. It was so busy they gave me the option of using a private room with its own bathroom. Although I liked the spots near the windows the only one available had a large post blocking most of the view so I choose the private room. Having that bathroom was a perk and when my chemo buddies went out to grab us some lunch I didn't feel bad about eating my piroshki that was hot and smelled so good. Normally I wouldn't do that because I am conscious of the smell affecting the other patients. Private room kept the smell of our lunches contained.
My blood levels were good as reported by my oncologist and the ooh's and ahh's I got from the nurses in the chemo lounge. Those nurses are rock stars. I brought them them a local treat, Almond Roca, and they were just cute as can be hugging the container and offering many thanks.
We found out the nurses have a little thing on Thursdays. They all wear pearls. So next time my chemo buddies and I will wear pearls in solidarity.
At home now:
It has been two days and I feel tired but happy. I am off to a good start for what is supposed to be the worst week. Taste buds went dead by Friday morning so it's all about texture and staying hydrated until the buds start to wake up again in week three. Meanwhile I torture myself by watching cooking shows. I love food porn.
Sleep has been eluding me but that is due to the Dexamethasone I take before and a few days following infusions. This is temporary though and I look forward to naps.
Upcoming post:
I have been researching the history and evolution of chemotherapy. My attention span is best in the morning so I try to work on it a little everyday. It has been fun and I look forward to completing it.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Everyone Poops
Last week was a white knuckle ride that will be used as a ruler to measure how bad things can get.
Chemotherapy damages healthy cells in the lining of the digestive system. Your whole digestive system can be affected. The digestive system extends from the mouth to the anus and includes the salivary glands, stomach, intestines, and rectum.
Everyone poops. If you don't poop it is bad. If you over-poop it is bad. Either of these situations can make you cry and not only cause damage to your pooper but also your psyche.
I could go on and give fascinating details but now that people I know are reading this blog I would rather they not be all "up in my shit".
Chemotherapy damages healthy cells in the lining of the digestive system. Your whole digestive system can be affected. The digestive system extends from the mouth to the anus and includes the salivary glands, stomach, intestines, and rectum.
Everyone poops. If you don't poop it is bad. If you over-poop it is bad. Either of these situations can make you cry and not only cause damage to your pooper but also your psyche.
I could go on and give fascinating details but now that people I know are reading this blog I would rather they not be all "up in my shit".
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Mouthing Off
Dysgeusia (a change in the sense of taste) is one of the side effects I am experiencing. Everything tastes like cardboard. The exact mechanism of chemotherapy-induced dysgeusia is unknown.
Taking care of my mouth is a part time job. Kat's Survival Kit tips:
- Brushing teeth & tongue often with Ultra Soft toothbrush
- Biotene toothpaste & mouthwash (designed to help relieve oral symptoms of dry mouth)
- Very gentle/careful dental flossing
- Baking soda rinse
- Sucking on ice during infusions
- Sipping water often
Friday, August 2, 2013
Infusion 2 of 4
Yesterday was my second infusion. Two down. Two to go.
Start Time: 9:45 AM
First thing I do is go to the blood lab. They had a little trouble accessing my port, however after trying several different positions (sitting up, leaning forward, laying down, leaning forward with one are up and head turned) we finally gained access. The last resort would have been to inject an enzyme that breaks down any fibrous tissue that has formed and wait an hour or so then try again. Modern medicine is cool!
Second thing I do is go see my oncologist. He is awesome, his staff is awesome. I reported on my last three weeks he told me my blood counts were great then we moved onto non cancer related topics. He's a prolific photographer and has hung several of his images in the office. There is a Seattle skyline image w/ an orange sky that would look perfect in my home. Although he spends the majority of his day accessing a computer he is not a techie gadget guy and I'm going to try and convince him to get an iPod. He is resistant. Next infusion I'm bringing in my PAX vaporizer and showing him the latest technology there.
Last thing I do is head to what I have dubbed the Chemo Lounge. They access my port and I show them the lean way forward, one arm up, head to the side trick... boom... we have access. I can sit up for the rest of the infusions. We start with popping a benedryl and three anti nausea meds, then comes the first chemo drug Taxotere followed by a port flush and second chemo drug Cytoxan. I believe it ends with another saline flush and maybe some heparin. By this time I'm feeling tired and unfocused.
End Time: 3:15 PM
Side note: Now that my hair is falling out and I am easily recognized as a Chemo Girl I am part of a club. Other patients give me the knowing nod, smiles, and some even approach to chat. The nurses & hospital staff gave a lot of positive feedback about my hair. Friends/family also giving me lots of love about the new do. I started sharing my blog (reluctantly) yesterday. Last thing I want to do is bore anyone. I had a boss once who told me his biggest fear was being boring. I related to him completely.
Start Time: 9:45 AM
First thing I do is go to the blood lab. They had a little trouble accessing my port, however after trying several different positions (sitting up, leaning forward, laying down, leaning forward with one are up and head turned) we finally gained access. The last resort would have been to inject an enzyme that breaks down any fibrous tissue that has formed and wait an hour or so then try again. Modern medicine is cool!
Second thing I do is go see my oncologist. He is awesome, his staff is awesome. I reported on my last three weeks he told me my blood counts were great then we moved onto non cancer related topics. He's a prolific photographer and has hung several of his images in the office. There is a Seattle skyline image w/ an orange sky that would look perfect in my home. Although he spends the majority of his day accessing a computer he is not a techie gadget guy and I'm going to try and convince him to get an iPod. He is resistant. Next infusion I'm bringing in my PAX vaporizer and showing him the latest technology there.
Last thing I do is head to what I have dubbed the Chemo Lounge. They access my port and I show them the lean way forward, one arm up, head to the side trick... boom... we have access. I can sit up for the rest of the infusions. We start with popping a benedryl and three anti nausea meds, then comes the first chemo drug Taxotere followed by a port flush and second chemo drug Cytoxan. I believe it ends with another saline flush and maybe some heparin. By this time I'm feeling tired and unfocused.
End Time: 3:15 PM
Side note: Now that my hair is falling out and I am easily recognized as a Chemo Girl I am part of a club. Other patients give me the knowing nod, smiles, and some even approach to chat. The nurses & hospital staff gave a lot of positive feedback about my hair. Friends/family also giving me lots of love about the new do. I started sharing my blog (reluctantly) yesterday. Last thing I want to do is bore anyone. I had a boss once who told me his biggest fear was being boring. I related to him completely.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)