Failed Infusion

Today I was supposed to get my 3rd of 6 Taxotere infusions, but after sticking my arms eight times, it was decided my veins were so flat, that they couldn't infuse me easily.  When they do this they like to pick veins on the forearms or on the back of the hand.

Most people are used to having blood drawn where the elbow bends, and that's a much easier vein to use.  However, the risk is, that if the Taxotere were to leak outside of the vein there could be complications, the worst case scenario is that I would lose the arm. I wasn't prepared for that risk. Face it, under normal circumstances this stuff is a strong poison, when the nurses administer it, they don protective clothing!


So, we basically punted, ad they will be scheduling to install a portcath to make the infusions and blood testing easier.  At the time there were two other patients next to me that had had ports installed, and gave me good confidence this would be a good way to go.

The portcath will be installed Friday Dec 4th.  This is an outpatient surgery at CMC Mercy.

Oh in addition, Monday my urologist, talked to me about my right kidney being slightly swolen due to hydronephrosis .  He wanted me to have an external port and a drainage bag much like the urinary catheter I once had.   However, he did state that my kidney function is at 0.19 (again no units) but this is a better than average healthy number.  So I declined the port he was suggesting, and asked that we ultrasound in a month and see if it didn't look better.

266.8 lbs

Wednesday's Appointment

I thought I was going in for another Firmagon injection but it turned out Dr. Burgess was just using Firmagon to kick start the hormone process, and I have now been switched over Luperon . Also, I've been set up for 6 month injections on that.

One of the cautions for the Luperon site is that during the initial weeks testosterone levels will rise for a bit.  While this is bad from the standpoint of slowing the tumors, I'm hoping I'll see a little more energy at least for a while.

It's hard to believe we're in mid November already, and soon there will be a single Thanksgiving holiday. (My company only gives Thursday off.) Later when it's Christmas, we also only get Christmas itself off, and not Christmas Eve.

They sure don't work us like Europeans in this country!

I also spent about 45 minutes yesterday talking with my social worker at Dr. Burgesses office.  Of the many topics covered is setting up a "living will" - which basically will define that I don't care for any extraordinary means to preserve life at this point.

I have to read that package later today.

There has also been some talk about claiming SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance), but even if the math works out for that, and it appears I may have sufficient cash flow to maintain the house, there are plenty of articles claiming that SSDI won't last into 2016, and the 11 million people currently receiving benefits, are about to get a 20% cut in benefit.

Also it seems this thing at most could pay me $15K a year, so I don't think I can be ready for that.

If so, it would certainly require giving up the house we just purchased.

So apart from hitting Mega Millions tonight, there isn't much hope for financial relief :)

Yesterday, I was perhaps more fatigued than ever before. I was almost unfit to drive.
However today, I've never felt stronger since I started this hormone therapy.

I can't say there's much rhyme or reason where I can figure out these ups and downs other than , the better I eat, the better I feel. Though sometimes, I can't really eat well it's more of a chore than a joy to eat.

I took Laura out to Olive Garden tonight - and again this is unusual. Normally, I come home, have just enough energy to find my way to the couch, wait for dinner, say a rosary, and then go to bed before 7:00 PM .

Here it is, almost 10:00 PM and I'm logged into my computer playing eve, and blogging.  We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Chemo Yesterday

All was fine, hbg was actually at 10.3 dag/dl, so there was no need to order an blood to be transfused.  I had been taking supplemental Iron, and enjoying various beef sources.  For example, Laura and I went to Hickory Tavern and I had the French dip, which was pretty good.

This location is close to work, and I'm supposed to have some kind of discount card from working in this building. I need to find that card. It's a little too far for me to walk, so I'll be taking the car next time I go there for lunch.  Unfortunately, the handicap parking is not very close there.

Hair fall out is expected to get worse, and I am seeing my thumbnails get a lot thicker. Other nails a showing shiny cuticles.

I had mentioned the shortness of breath, but I don't think Dr. Burgess quite understood the complaint, as my nurse later tired to schedule a CT scan of my lungs.  I tried my best to explain that this was not truly a pulmonary condition, as my breathing is just fine.  It's just that after a fairly small exertion I am winded as though I had run a mile or so.

It occurs to me that at my next appointment, I should just demonstrate it but doing a flight of stairs and letting them do vitals and see what I'm talking about.



258.8 lbs.