Rhandom Schittshowe Cancer Journey : 2024-07-04 : Lab Work, Follow-Up, Port Staples Out, Wig Lady

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Activity
Type Name Description Service Provider Cost Kms To Date Total Notes Actions
Other Lab Work EDMONTON CROSS CANCER INSTITUTE LABORATORY $0.00
Other Treatment Follow-Up EDMONTON CROSS CANCER INSTITUTE OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT $0.00
Other Port Staple Removal No appointment needed - just walk in CROSS CANCER IMAGING DEPARTMENT $0.00
Other Wig Consult and (?) Purchase Wigs Etc in Glastonbury Estates $0.00


Trip Log

Notes Actions
I went in for the blood work first thing today. I got a male nurse, and, as usual, I looked away when he put the needle in. I thought, "oh, that wasn't bad - he's good at that". Then, a millisecond later I thought, "oh, no... what is he doing!?". He was "chasing" my vein - he wasn't in the vein, so he was wiggling the needle around. A couple of times I yelped, and then finally he called another nurse to come help. She starts "chasing" my vein around and says "if this is too painful for you, let us know". I said "yeah, that was a couple minutes ago". She said "you're supposed to let us know!". I said "I did!". She pulled the needle out (from the crook of my elbow), and then they tried the vein in the back of my hand. Thankfully that worked on the first try, but boy... me and my left arm are so over this.
After the blood work, I went to get the staples taken out from my port installation. That hardly felt like anything at all, thank goodness. And it feels SO GOOD to have the staples out!!
Last appointment at the Cross today was with Nurse Practitioner Susan, who will henceforth be referred to as "Lovely NP" (she likes to use the word "lovely"). She is so great compared to Obnoxious D. She had a good long chat with me about treatment options, and why we would, or would not, want to end chemo after four (instead of six) treatments. She also talked at length with me about my concerns about the tachycardia. I'd found information on the American College of Cardiology some information that indicated that people getting chemo who experience tachycardia during treatment are 65% likely to die within ten years!! OMG. She had more information, and assured me that, unless my heart rate goes above 140bpm, and/or I have chest pain or shortness of breath, I'm probably not sustaining heart damage.

Official results of consult with Lovely NP:
  • Dose is adjusted - reduced by 20%, as agreed with Obnoxious D
  • OK to try Metoclopromide again, but don't "mix and match" that with Prochlor....
  • Take anti-nauseas preventatively, rather than waiting until nausea starts. Start taking it Sunday night. If no nausea by Wednesday, try quitting. If it's not working, call Triage for new solution.
  • Four or Six Chemos: If there is no node involvement, and not HER2+, the standard treatment is four. With node involvement and/or HER2+ (both of which I have), they do six.
  • Heart tests will be done after every fourth cycle. Even though I had the tachycardia, they won't test more frequently. The tachycardia is more of a concern if my heart rate exceeds 140bpm and/or I have chest pain and/or shortness of breath with it.
  • Sushi is a-ok - go eat some
  • Try to eat bland high-iron foods to boost Hemoglobin (cream of wheat, red meat, maple flavor instant oatmeal, shreddies, cheerios)
  • Her opinion is that Brent and I should both cancel out of volunteering with the Fringe.
  • I can get my vaccinations once I'm done chemo and just on Herceptin. My pap should be done during my "strongest" days of chemo recovery.
After the Cross, Brent took me out for sushi (Lovely NP said it was allowed). YAY!

Then we came home, and picked up Shannon, and the three of us went off to see the wig lady, who was great. She was patient, helpful, knowledgeable, and helped me choose a great wig.


Photos

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