Thursday, April 5, 2007

IV Needles Minus Numbing = Hurts Like A Bitch!!

Okay so last night I found some sites that sell bandannas and hat type things- I'm not sure if I'm going to order any thing yet, but I've bookmarked them. The site is kinda expensive for hats, but pretty normal priced for bandannas. I'm now thinking I'm just going to go to the fabric store and make big-ish headbands that cover my scalp and are comfortable - I'm not really good at tying stuff like bandannas. We'll just have to wait and see what I come up with.

Today was chemo day (#7) and my second time using the port. They gave me a prescription for Emla cream that is supposed to numb the area before they stick a needle in it... I'm not sure what happened, if I didn't put enough on or if I had it on too long, but the stuff didn't work and the needle hurt like a bitch! I now know what it feels like to be stabbed in the chest! I was, once again, in tears. Ugh it was awful. Next time I'm putting it on when I'm halfway to the doctors and I'm going to put sran wrap over it so it won't absorb into anything. Fingers crossed.
I also tried Reiki today. Not sure if I'm a fan or not. I guess we will wait and see if I feel any better. I also told them that I'm starting to feel lung pain and shortness of breath and they took out the Bleo today and I'm going to get another Pulmonary Function Test before next chemo. We're also in the process of scheduling my PET and CAT scans for after chemo #8 (April 19th). I'm really hoping for a clean scan. I don't want to end up being one of those difficult chemo patients that doesn't respond to treatment. So fingers will be crossed for those tests.

Hmmm... what else... not much else is new. I'm in fancytown for the night. I just ate a big dinner at Friendlys (yes, I eat like a child) and am thinking about having some ice cream soon.

Oh yeah about my teeth.... I called the dentist yesterday and he said to just use Prevident religiously at night time and take Tylenol a couple times a day - I use sensydine for the rest of the time but it's just not enough. Damn the chemo!

Okay that's all for now. XO

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I found your blog through the I'm Too Young For This website. I'm 31 and have uterine cancer. I really just wanted to comment on the bandana thing - I've made several for myself out of cheap fabric I found on the $1 a yard table at walmart. If you do bandanas, they're really not hard to tie, just fold them in a triangle and tie the two long ends in the back in a knot. I understand the fear of losing your hair, I thought that would be the most traumatic part of this, but when mine started falling out in handfuls when I'd wash it, it really grossed me out and I shaved it. It really wasn't that bad. I used to freak myself out a little bit when I'd be sitting around the house doing nothing and forget, and then get up and see my reflection, but that only lasted a few days before I got used to it.

Anyway, I just wanted to say this because I hope that it can be encouraging, that if your hair does all fall out or you choose to shave it, it's okay, and just remember that it will grow back once you're done with chemo.

Good luck and I hope your treatments go well.

Shannon

Anonymous said...

Hi, Kelly: One of my colleagues told me about the cancer and pointed me to your blog this morning. I'm so sorry you are going thru this. Your blogging about it is excellent and so helpful to others. My sister went thru chemo for ovarian cancer 2 summers ago. I helped her thru it. Her hair has grown back and the cancer is gone. Just stay positive. I know Joanie got some pre-chemo medicines that helped her avoid side effects. Dana Farber is the best, so I'm sure they are doing that for you. Please take care. I am adding you to my daily prayer list. All the best, Lois