Halfway through summer ????

How'd that happen so fast? We might be half way through summer vacation but I still can't bear to look at the school supplies filling up the stores. Maybe in a couple more weeks.

Today is the last day for my current round of chemo. This round meant two pills twice a day so it's not like the needle pokes from the other chemo treatements. This one is doing something though. I get nose bleeds and my throat got raw. But I made it through. Now a week off of chemo to heal up and then we start some more.

The balance is either getting better or I'm getting use to stumbling. The chemo means I don't heal too quick so all the bruises on my legs are just hanging around - not getting any better. It looks like I went 10 rounds with a clumsy clog dancer. As for the steroids, yikes! Let's talk about something else.

Love
Carolin

Little miss chubby cheeks is here

Well the steroids have had their desired effect on the water retention. Still only 50% on correcting the balance issues. This is also week 2 of chemo. No symptoms of hand and foot redness, tingling, burning or peeling. I am being really pro-active with special attention to creams on my feet and hands to keep them in good shape. An ounce of prevention.... If the symptoms show up we are supposed to go to the Horse Store and buy something called Bag Balm. Now doesn't that have an appealing name.

My nails are another issue. They are just peeling and breaking. I am going to find a good OPI polish that might give them some strength and durability. My toe nails are still splitting lengthwise which is a problem in some of my shoes. But considering these are small hurdles to deal with.

This is a nice quiet week. Jessica has swim lessons and then we have our afternoons free. My sister and her 2 children come on Saturday for about 10 days and we will celebrate Sandy's birthday on the 30th.

So for now I am just enjoying the summer weather.

Bye for now.

Love Carolin

Pill's, pills and more pills

Things are going fine. The steroids are working a bit but certainly have not gotten rid of all the balance problems. My arms and legs are getting quite bruised. I tend to lean to the right when walking. I tend to lean right into door frames, furniture and other things that get in my way when I need a little more space.

I have started my pill regime last week and I'm back on chemo as of yesterday. Everyday I now take 18 pills except Monday and Thursday. Those two days I take 20. Most of them need to be taken with water and food but each dose is separate. A lot of keep track of. All these little meals with the pills will certainly help put on the pounds. Urgghh!

The weight has started to gain. Up 5 pounds so far. Not too happy about that but I know it will come back off again.

Jessica is in camp this week so I have some extra time to myself. I put in about 8 hours a night sleeping but tend to be up 4 or 5 times in that period. Could be all that water that I have to drink! I still like to have a lay down in the afternoon so that I have some energy to keep me up till 9 pm.

That is all that is new.

Enjoy the sun!!

Love Carolin

Pre-steroids

I had my hair done for the second time since it has grown back in. Have not had it cut yet. Seems to be growing in evenly and thick. It was finally long enough to put in some chunky blonde highlights.

I have been on steroids for 2 days now. I weigh in every morning and watch and wait for the evilness of the steroid "fatness" to arrive. You will not see any pictures of me posted while going through this stage.

Love to you all.

Carolin

On balance, it's good news

Although it took the better part of the day, now we have a diagnosis. My head was so interesting that they did two separate MRI's of it today. When my oncologist told us about what they saw, he said that they felt it was the radiation necrosis. It is the swelling of the tumor mass that the body has not yet disposed of. The swelling is pushing on the brain and affecting my balance. It is quite bad now and I am banging into more things and pretty much walking like a drunk. I don't feel intoxicated anymore but it would be hard to tell that when walking behind me. My oncologist passed the treatment over to the Dr. that did the stereo-tactical radiation surgery. She likes steroids. LOTS and LOTS of steroids. And she likes them for a long time. I start tonight and looks like we are on them for the next 2 months.

This will hopefully work and eliminate my symptoms but as long-time readers of this blog will know, steroids makes me fat. Yes, fat over the 2 months of summer that we get. That sucks!! But like Sandy says at least I'm not in a wheel chair. Plus this time I have hair to go with my fat face - better than being bald. But for right now, its steroids until my balance comes back, then it's negotiation with the doctor to see how fast we taper off them. In about a week, I can restart my pill chemo.

It looks like we're back on the treatment track.

I will finish pouting tonight and then start fighting again tomorrow.

Bye for now.

Love Carolin

Called the MRI people

The trip was a nice change of pace. The weather cooperated and Jessica is already getting a tan and threatening to wear out a bathing suit. Summer is a great time when you're 8.

It seems like my balance is getting worse. I'm starting to get bruises from the things I'm bumping into. My brain is thinking fine, it's just not helping me walk. Today I called the doctor and said that the current MRI booking on July 26 wasn't soon enough. We'll see what he can do.

Update: Have an MRI at noon on Monday (10th) and a doctor meeting at 2PM. More news Monday night.