A Reprieve, Sort of

March 3, 2011

As my oncologist has so often told me, my postoperative course these past 6 months has been anything but typical, and she has come to expect the unexpected from me/my body. But even this latest event took her by surprise and has confounded her.

I was scheduled for my final chemo treatment last Thursday but found myself back in the hospital instead. Before going in for my last appointment, I knew something wasn't quite right with me, something outside of the ordinary that is. In the weeks following treatment 5, I just never felt that I had rebounded at all. When typically in the weeks between treatments I would start to feel almost human again, this time I was still physically exhausted and chronically tired and, later, was experiencing internal pain and violent nausea/vomiting. Simply put, even my best days were pretty miserable, to the point where, I'm sure, depression was becoming an issue for me. I thought it was the chemo that was taking its greatest toll to date. Turns out I developed a flukey abdominal abscess/infection, which apparently was the source of many problems. Six days, two blood transfusions, an abdominal drain, many antibiotics, and two snoring geriatric roommates later (not including Pete), I’m feeling much, much better, ready and fired up to challenge the next, and final, round. My sixth chemo is now tentatively scheduled for next Tuesday (assuming the infection has cleared up) or Thursday. Although I’m disappointed in the delay, I am very optimistic that this extra time between treatments has been good for my body and mind, giving me a chance to heal even more and, I hope, in the process making my final rebound that much easier and speedier.

As you can imagine, more than ever before in the course of my treatment, these past few weeks have put me to the test. Fortunately, I’ve had some fantastic cheerleaders to push me. Pete, Dianne and Mike, Kathy and Dave, Barb, Freddy, Mom, and Joanne, thanks for lifting me up and keeping me there when I couldn’t do it myself.

More later...