Chemotherapy: 7 of 9

Tuesday, 28 October was the date of my seventh Chemo infusion, and it's now Saturday, 1 November, as I write this. As this was an odd-numbered, "midterm", infusion, there was no blood test for PSA. So, this post will be limited to "Does the Chemo still seem to be working?" and a current report of side-effects.

For the past three or four infusions, the nurses have been struggling progressively harder to find a suitable vein. Apparently, the Chemo (temporarily) damages the veins and constricts them, reducing the inside diameter. Again the other day, my nurse reminded me that I'm to drink lots of water before coming in to the hospital. She assured me that the process would go much better if only I'd drink the water. What could I say? I forgot! I've got "Chemo Brain" or "Mad Cow" or something. Next time, I'll tie a string around my finger or maybe the faucet. As it happened, the veins in my arms and hands were simply not having anything to do with the nurse's needles. Actually, she could pierce the veins with the tip of the needles: But, no blood. She'd then try to push the tip, following every wiggle in the path of the vein: Still, no blood. She did this no fewer than five times, using both arms and hands before she was successful. But, once properly tapped, the blood test specimens came pouring out, and the two infusions dripped in without a hitch! But the process did leave my arms bruised and battered. I look a little like I got my arms stuck in the garbage disposal, again. But, I guess that's what long sleeves are for....

Of greater importance, the pattern of post-infusion pain seems to be following form. Again, the infusion was Tuesday, and my pain level was just about "Tip Top", or a "0" on my 0 to 4 pain chart. By Thursday evening, there was pain/discomfort in my back, to a "Not So Bad" or level "1". It held there until last night (Halloween), where I was pretty well nailed to the couch, as the level had increased to "Not So Good", or level "2". On both Thursday and last nights, I took an Ambien which resulted in a good night's sleep. Both mornings, I awoke with a level "1", "Not So Bad".

Today, I plan to eat some ibuprofen and drive the 100-some miles to Eugene to watch the Fighting Ducks of Oregon take on Stanford. Kickoff is at 4:30. And, thanks to the generosity of Pat & Stephanie, we'll have sky-box seats. I can't complain!


Wait, wait, there's more! More weight, that is!

Arnold took steroids and got muscles, money and movies. Barry Bonds took steroids and got muscles, money and "moon shots". I took steroids and got a massive beer-belly and more chins than a Hong Kong phone book! What's with that????

While my first Chemo infusion was in June of this year, I actually started taking steroids way back in April of 2012. Since that time, my weight has gone from 181 to 205. That's a bunch. On the other hand, because of steroids, I can eat anything I want without guilt. Hey, I can't complain, 'bout that either!

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UPDATE: Wednesday, 5 November 2014

Although the Duck win over Stanford was very satisfying, the ride to and from Eugene on Saturday wasn't overly pleasant. The pain level was mostly "Not So Good" or "2". On the other hand, how comfortable could it have been with 3 men in the back seat of a Toyota RAV4? "Not So Good" was the phrase of the day through Monday. Yesterday, we were talking "Not So Bad", and today we're just about back to "Tip Top".

Can't complain about that!