Charlene's Story
August 1, 2010 - Oh my aching bones & Mediport
Sun, Aug 01 2010 by Charlene
On Tuesday, Steve and I went for our "shot lesson" at the Lipson Cancer Center. My RN Judi showed Steve how to administer the Neupogen shots; this saves me from having to schlep to the center every day for five days.
Tuesday under RN Judi's supervision everything went very smoothly.
Wednesday at home I flinched and Steve ended up sticking me twice (lovely).
Thursday we tried sticking me in the thigh (don't think I'll do that again).
Friday got it on the fly at the Firehouse as he was coming off nights and I was on my way to work.
Saturday, I think he's got it I didn't feel the needle going in at all!!!
The Neupogen shots are given in the off weeks opposite chemo. What they do is stimulate your bone marrow to produce white blood cells (chemo destroys them and they need to be at a certain level before you can have your next chemo treatment). One of the side effects of these shots is bone pain.... I thought I was scott free because Tues-Thurs I didn't feel a thing.... well, Thursday night after taking Ziggy (our friends dog that we were watching) for a walk I was a little sore/uncomfortable but nothing to write home about.
Friday was another story.... I can tell you exactly when it happened.... 12:30pm on Friday I was sitting at my desk at work and all of a sudden my pelvis started throbbing, honestly that is the only way I can describe it... THROBBING... seriously growing pains at 41 years old.... OMG. Shortly after the pelvis started, then it radiated down my femurs.... it goes to you largest bones first.... I could not find a couple of extra strength Tylenol fast enough!!!! About 1.5 hours later the throbbing subsided to a level where it wasn't so annoying and somewhat tolerable.
Saturday was much of the same annoying throbbing / pain... but if I take the Tylenol religiously every 5 hours (yes I know it's supposed to be 6 hours but can't make it that long) I can keep the pain at a managble level....
Sunday - NO SHOT TODAY - YIPPIEE - I have completed my five day cycle.
Also on Friday, Steve and I went to the surgeons office to have our consultation on the installation of my mediport http://www.bardaccess.com/index.php . I got to see what it looked like, touch it and talk to the P.A. about how it is installed and how long it takes etc.... I am scheduled for my day surgery to have this installed on Monday, 8/2/10. I cannot eat anything after midnight on Sunday, report to the hospital by 3:20pm on Monday and the procedure is scheduled for 5:00pm.... can you say HUNGRY... OMG I am going to want to eat whatever isn't nailed down by Monday night..... they tell me the actual procedure is only a 1/2 hour. I have my next chemo on Wednesday and they will take my new mediport out for a test drive that day.
To be continued....
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