12/22/11 Appointment

My xray came back with great results.  The fluid is no longer under my lungs and everything is back to normal.  That means the diuretic the doctor put me on is doing it's job.  I am elated this is working.  So much better than having a needle stuck in my back again to drain the lungs.   The doctor has decreased my diuretic to every other day for 2 weeks and then I will have another xray to see if everything is normal.  He would like to have me off the diuretics in the next month if possible, but he will monitor the fluid and make a decision from that.   All I know is I feel great and I hope this chemo side effect goes away very soon.

My hair has started to grow back also, it's getting thicker every day.  I hope I can ditch the wig maybe in a few months, we shall see.

We had a fabulous Christmas with the family and we even took the kiddos ice-skating.
Yes I did ice skate, but with lots of caution.  I am happy to say, No broken bones to add to the hospital visits.  It felt great to finally have the energy to be physically active.  I can't wait to get back to the gym and eventually running again... but for now, baby steps.


Sandy

CT Scan results are back

CT scans is back and the fluid under my lungs is halfway built back up, which has only taken 3 weeks.
I seen the Pulmonologist (lung doctor) on Friday 12/09/11 and he put me on another diuretic that works differently than the one I am currently on.  I started taking it on Saturday and I can already notice the difference.  I can actually for short periods of time, lay on my left and right side without feeling like my lungs are being pushed on.  This is such a relief and I hope it works out and drains the fluid.  I go back to the lung doctor next Thursday 12/22 to get an xray and reading to see if the fluid has in fact changed.
Then we will go from there to see what the plan is.  The Dr thinks I should be coming to the end of this side effect and I just need to hang in there.  They also put me on a steroid for 15 days to help repair the vessels that keep leaking into my body.  At this point I have lost around 28 lbs since all this started, but I still feel great.  Now I just hope I can keep the weight off and stay healthy.
I will blog again if there are any changes before the xray reading next Thursday.
So far so good, I think I am finally going to start feeling better and kicking these side effects for good.

xoxoxox Sandy

12/05/11 - CT Scan - Side Effect Problems again

Since I am again having problems breathing laying on my right and left side, they have decided to do another CT scan to see if the fluid is again building up under my lungs.  I have no doubt that it is happening all over again.  Everything feels the same way as last time, but now I am more aware of what is actually happening.  Depending on the CT Scan they will decide if they will drain the fluid.  No one wants it to get as bad as it did last time.  I really am hoping I don't have to go through this too many more times.  They say it usually takes 6 months for the chemo to get out of your system and for the chemo side effects to stop.  I am so ready for all these side effects to go away.
One good note is, my hair has started to grow back,,,,,, Wow I'm a brunette,,, who would have thought it after all these years of highlights.    :0 )
It's going to be a little while before I will be sporting a short hair do, but man am I ever ready to ditch this wig!
I will post again once I have the CT scan results back.
xoxoxo Sandy

12/11/11 - In the Hospital

Well on 12/11/11 and after seeing my radiation Dr, she put me in the hospital to run a lot of test to find out why now both arms and both feet are swollen and I can barely walk 30 feet without being winded.  After many test they decided it was time to drain the fluid from under both my lungs and they got a lot out of there.  See picture below, that is just from the right lung, which had the most fluid built up.  I was on lasik IV for the 3 days I remained in the hospital and lost 15 lbs of water weight.  No wonder I couldn't breathe and had zero energy.  They finally released me at 5pm on Sunday 12/13/11.  I feel much better and am hoping this side effect from the chemo does not continue for much longer.  They also tested the fluid they drained and no cancer cells.   So that was an Awesome feeling to get a good result.