Well I realized that I hadn’t updated the blog in a week and I really should have. Ooops!
I felt better this time with chemo, but I have had different side effects. By this point with round 1 I was more or less back to normal (at least normal with chemo) and this time I am not. I seem to be more tired this time and on Monday, I had to go to the hospital for dehydration. I was taking care of Max after Tony went to work and I felt like my blood pressure dropped suddenly and I nearly passed out. When I was able to get myself back together I called Tony and told him to come home. I then called the oncologist nurse who told me that it could be my red blood cell count or it could be dehydration.
Not wanting to take a chance, when Tony arrived home, we went to the cancer center where it was determined that the only thing wrong with me was dehydration, which was showing itself as low blood pressure and high heartrate (which in and of itself gave me flashbacks of Emily). An IV bag later I was sent home. My doctor also told me to take it easy for the next few days. I have been taking it easy but I guess I need to take it easier. It was very scary for me but something that is not that uncommon in my family. My whole mother’s side of the family has women that faint constantly. In fact I have a cousin who has fainted at eye exams (no I am not joking). The thing that is strange is I seem to never have had this problem. So if this happens again (which it very well could) I can just go to a local hospital for fluids.
Max has been great as always during this process. I know I always show pictures of Max smiling on here and in all honesty he is like that. He is really a happy baby. He studies things intensely… much more so then most children I have known at his age. His favorite book is Mike Mulligan and His Steam shovel (I think that is it’s title), which quite a long book but he loves it. I have really lucked out with Max. We are planning on moving him to a big boy bed this spring (probably shortly after I am done with chemo) and honestly I think he is ready now for his big boy bed. He is also starting to show signs of being ready to potty train… something I certainly am not ready for in my current state. So we will likely start that this summer.
Max also loves balls and playing with them. However when he is outside he always finds a stick to walk around with. He is still talking more and more everyday. This morning I gave him oatmeal for the first time (that wasn’t mashed) and he said “that was alright, now cookie!” I didn’t give him a cookie but he eventually did get something else. He also seems to be liking to draw recently.
I should also point out that during the time between me calling Tony and Tony coming home on Monday (about 45 minutes) Max was very good and allowed me to rest like I needed to do.
I know my camera is full of photos. When I upload them I am sure I will overwhelm people. I am going to really try to do that soon. However I knew I needed to update the blog so that is what I am doing.
Jennifer
Great job on getting through round 2! The effects are cumulative (which I’m sure you know), so expect to feel more run down for longer after each session. I had different side effects after each of my CHOP sessions – it was bizarre how differently my body reacted each time. I did notice that by the last one I was wiped for about 2 weeks afterwards – just couldn’t get my energy back.
Hang in there!
Here’s hoping you are doing well and feeling as well as you can. I know your family takes good care of you, so I know you are in good hands. You are in God’s hands too!
Jill