Can't believe that I'm done with three cycles and that I'm halfway through the entire course. The following three are expected to be less taxing with the change of medicine to be administered. After effects were minimal this round or perhaps my tolerance threshold has been raised.
Life is taking on a greater semblance of normalcy. I did not feel like I was on medical leave in the past 3 weeks. Went to office to tend to some work issues, interview candidates and did midyear reviews with staff. Cannot take a type A woman out of a patient I guess.
Now that diarrhoea is no longer a problem, at least immediately after the chemo shots, I can resume my juice routine. During the time when I was less fibre-tolerant, spray-dried barley green and beet in powder form was a good alternative source of anti-oxidant.
Had my first snow-skin mooncake today and it was bliss to taste it. Sure glad that Christmas is after my course.
Sunnybunny
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
The 2nd cycle came and went with less discomfort
The 2nd cycle ended last Saturday with very much reduced discomfort. Besides the expected tiredness on the 3rd and 4th day, nausea and appetite loss were minimal. Looking forward to being up and about soon.
The marvel of modern medicine. I had booster shots to increase my white blood cell (WBC) count and I termed them 'reinforcements' in my previous blog. It's more like the national guards being called in. The blood test report revealed a significant improvement in my WBC from 1.42 to 9.66, a necessary morale-boosting sign to tackle the coming regimes.
The best decision I've made in my preparation was to shave my head. Loss of hair occurring from 2nd week onwards was manageable and I had so much fun trying on combination of wigs and scarves, hats.
The drive to the hospital for jabs is a welcome break from being house-bound. The scenery along the way is refreshing and in some way, comforting to give a 'glad to be alive' feeling.
Starting too to work longer hours from home in between rest and relaxation before Korean soap operas. Don't know how long I can last viewing such drama before boredom sets in given the typical 'Pride n Prejudice', 'My fair lady' or 'Pretty Woman' story-lines.
sunnybunny
The marvel of modern medicine. I had booster shots to increase my white blood cell (WBC) count and I termed them 'reinforcements' in my previous blog. It's more like the national guards being called in. The blood test report revealed a significant improvement in my WBC from 1.42 to 9.66, a necessary morale-boosting sign to tackle the coming regimes.
The best decision I've made in my preparation was to shave my head. Loss of hair occurring from 2nd week onwards was manageable and I had so much fun trying on combination of wigs and scarves, hats.
The drive to the hospital for jabs is a welcome break from being house-bound. The scenery along the way is refreshing and in some way, comforting to give a 'glad to be alive' feeling.
Starting too to work longer hours from home in between rest and relaxation before Korean soap operas. Don't know how long I can last viewing such drama before boredom sets in given the typical 'Pride n Prejudice', 'My fair lady' or 'Pretty Woman' story-lines.
sunnybunny
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Settling down to the routine
It's been a few days since I last blogged. Kept busy with activities previously considered mundane but now appreciated as chores that make me feel normal. Continue to comb the city for healthy food as my appetite returns to normal. Today am hosting a small tea party for some friends who have to declare perfect state of health before joining. Looking forward to it as it is the first serious encounter of the personal kind in more than a month.
The series of booster jabs to build up my white cells has ended with minimal side-effects save for some back muscle aches on the 3rd day.
Spirit is up and staying positive. The next treatment starts coming Thurs. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Sunnybunny
The series of booster jabs to build up my white cells has ended with minimal side-effects save for some back muscle aches on the 3rd day.
Spirit is up and staying positive. The next treatment starts coming Thurs. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Sunnybunny
Monday, July 21, 2008
Reinforcement called upon
Had my first blood test today to determine if my white blood cell count is low enough to require a booster shot. Result was as expected and the first booster injection was administered. It will be followed by another 3 to be spaced out over the week. My body needs these reinforcement to wage successful war against potential virus attackers and to rebuild immunity after recent toxic invasion.
Dr Khoo, my oncologist, was satisfied with my progress and ability to handle side effects of the chemo injections and has assured that the next round would be similar in dose and body response. What a relief!
My body seems to be getting back to normal. Appetite has returned, nausea has taken a back seat and tiredness is much reduced. Now I need to nap only once a day. So far, no mouth ulcers too!
Increasingly, boredom should be setting in as I mope around the house for lengths of time to which I'm unaccustomed. But then I remind myself that soon I'll be adjusting to the 2nd cycle of injections all over again.
Sunnybunny
Dr Khoo, my oncologist, was satisfied with my progress and ability to handle side effects of the chemo injections and has assured that the next round would be similar in dose and body response. What a relief!
My body seems to be getting back to normal. Appetite has returned, nausea has taken a back seat and tiredness is much reduced. Now I need to nap only once a day. So far, no mouth ulcers too!
Increasingly, boredom should be setting in as I mope around the house for lengths of time to which I'm unaccustomed. But then I remind myself that soon I'll be adjusting to the 2nd cycle of injections all over again.
Sunnybunny
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
A funny thing happened on the way to the clinic
The last thing I expect at a time like this is to appear on some MediaCorp CNA programme on breast cancer, sans face. The real star of course is my breast surgeon, Dr Wee Siew Bock. I'm there as part of the props. In fact only my hand and lip movements while in consultation were shot. So much for my matching bandana and outfit.
It all started with the clinic asking if I mind being filmed during the consultation. I thought if this is my way of contributing to the enlightenment of all females potentially at risk, why not. What could have been a 20-min check-up lasted more than an hour after several takes of the same shot. By the end of it all both doctor and I felt exhausted having to repeat the questions and answers to get that perfect shot. We even thought of talking about the weather just to stretch time. Well it finally ended with both of us agreeing that we cannot make a serious living in front of cameras.
The Hollywood trip aside, the side-effects of nausea have subsided significantly although they do have a mysterious way of revisiting when least expected. Appetite is returning although portions still meagre.
Planning to go for my first walk later this evening to check on neighbours' garden plants and irritate their dogs.
sunnybunny
It all started with the clinic asking if I mind being filmed during the consultation. I thought if this is my way of contributing to the enlightenment of all females potentially at risk, why not. What could have been a 20-min check-up lasted more than an hour after several takes of the same shot. By the end of it all both doctor and I felt exhausted having to repeat the questions and answers to get that perfect shot. We even thought of talking about the weather just to stretch time. Well it finally ended with both of us agreeing that we cannot make a serious living in front of cameras.
The Hollywood trip aside, the side-effects of nausea have subsided significantly although they do have a mysterious way of revisiting when least expected. Appetite is returning although portions still meagre.
Planning to go for my first walk later this evening to check on neighbours' garden plants and irritate their dogs.
sunnybunny
Sunday, July 13, 2008
One down, five to go
Yesterday was my 3rd and last injection for the first cycle. The cumulative effects of the chemicals are finally setting in. I experienced fatigue with a capital F. Nausea was not far away although, thankfully, I managed to hold on to what I ate. These days, side effects management is so advanced. I had anti-nausea drip and given pills before treatment. The first and foremost priority is still to keep myself hydrated. Can't wait to see the side effect go..
Haven't worn my wigs yet. One is indeed funky as my hair stylist thought it so 'me'. I look like I'm on the Cats musical set. The other is bit more sedate although it has the nice ash gray highlight. Have to look my age now.
There's enough caps, scarves, bandanas, beanies to keep me co-ordinated sartorially in the meantime.
My 3-week cycle works this way : 1st week of fatigue, 2nd week of low immuno and 3rd week of recovery. It is in the last week that I 'm up to visitors.
Audio books are such great inventions. Whenever I'm kept awake in between my pee breaks, I tune in to Peter Mayle's Provence adventures which are delightful description of how an English couple who set up home in Provence, France encountered cross-cultural situations from interaction with neighbours. It was recommended by a friend who went through similar recuperation needs.
Must turn in early again. Feeling fatigued already.
sunnybunny
Haven't worn my wigs yet. One is indeed funky as my hair stylist thought it so 'me'. I look like I'm on the Cats musical set. The other is bit more sedate although it has the nice ash gray highlight. Have to look my age now.
There's enough caps, scarves, bandanas, beanies to keep me co-ordinated sartorially in the meantime.
My 3-week cycle works this way : 1st week of fatigue, 2nd week of low immuno and 3rd week of recovery. It is in the last week that I 'm up to visitors.
Audio books are such great inventions. Whenever I'm kept awake in between my pee breaks, I tune in to Peter Mayle's Provence adventures which are delightful description of how an English couple who set up home in Provence, France encountered cross-cultural situations from interaction with neighbours. It was recommended by a friend who went through similar recuperation needs.
Must turn in early again. Feeling fatigued already.
sunnybunny
Friday, July 11, 2008
2nd day went well
The 2nd day went by without a hitch although the effects are snowballing. Napped a lot more and nausea still lingering although thankfully did not throw up. The 3-week cycle is marked as such : tiredness in 1st week, low immuno in 2nd and recovery in 3rd which means that getting together with friends should take place once every 3 weeks.
Dutifully taking my quota of fruit juice, cooling herbal teas to drive the 'heatiness' away. Touch wood no signs of mouth ulcers. Have to continue with discipline to stick to soft, clean tasting and avoid fried or grilled foods. I must say it's tough for a foodie like me.
Encouragement, support and advice for which I'm really grateful continue to pour in.
Turning in early tonight.
Sunnybunny
Dutifully taking my quota of fruit juice, cooling herbal teas to drive the 'heatiness' away. Touch wood no signs of mouth ulcers. Have to continue with discipline to stick to soft, clean tasting and avoid fried or grilled foods. I must say it's tough for a foodie like me.
Encouragement, support and advice for which I'm really grateful continue to pour in.
Turning in early tonight.
Sunnybunny
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