Surprise Fatigue

It's great to be past that uncomfortable chemo feeling.  It's a tough one to describe if you haven't experienced it.  It's a kinda of weakening churning in the chest and abdominal cavity. Got past that last week, after return from  Lake City.  I felt kind of weak and exhausted on Monday and napped most of the day. Gradually felt much better over next few days. 

On Sunday we climbed Pagosa Peak, about 4,000 ft. above our 8,000 ft home. I've climbed it twice before in about 2 hours.  To my surprise, it took me 4 hours of slow trudging this time. Yikes!!  I'm now realizing that I'm suffering from pretty low energy.  Today I did a simple siding repair for a customer.  Shoulda been a simple 2 hour task.  After 3 hours I was physically exhausted!  So, this is knew.  If I rest and do bookwork I don't notice fatigue.  And I'm eating lots of good food !  Funny that this is starting this far down the road...ready to do 4th chemo on Monday.

On Monday I will also have PET scan to see how it's all doing.

Losing some taste

Had a great weekend in the San Juans. It IS turning to winter here.  This week it will be freezing in the mountains with some snow!  I've got a low energy level going, I think due to the neupogen shots, which I fianlly finished yesterday. 

One odd symptom I'm noticing over the last week is that I am losing the taste of several foods. Last week I noticed that a bunch of wonderful grapes tasted like just water. Hamburger still has the textual taste but the great flavor ain't there.  I was drinking SOBEs last week, but am suddenly repulsed by them.  The very thought of some foods actually starts to make me feel nauseous.  Fortunately, Robeta makes great chili, so I eat a lot of wonderful enchiladas and burritos!  I can still taste a lot of sweet stuff.  I hope it's due to the neupogen and that I will now regain all the lovely tastes!

I hopefully will now recover my strength and tastes over the the next few days and have a great week next week before #4.

Third infusion

Had my third infusion  on Monday.  Drove to Albuquerque from Pagosa on Sunday.  Started infusion at 10:00 AM Monday.  Done by 2:00.  Back in Pagosa by evening.  I take steroid pills till Friday, which plays havoc with sleeping.  I'm also giving myself neupogin injection everyday for eight days to build up white blood cells.
I've kinda got the routine down now, so the unknown has dimished and I can plan the weeks.  I feel well enough to work paper work and remodeling tasks at a slow pace.  I'll have some mild chest congestion while I'm taking the shots.  We're taking the pop-up camper into the San Juans to Lake City for a wine and music festival for the weekend.  Roberta will have to drink for 2!  By the end of the second week I'll be starrting to feel fine again. During week three I'll be back to normal energy level.  Then I'll have the next infusion on the third Monday. On the day of infusion #4 I'll also get a PET and CAT scan so the oncologist can check the effectiveness of the chemo treatment. 

Weird symptoms

Monday night...... took last shot of neupogen around dinner. Two tylenol around 8:00 PM. I slept VERY well. No background mental semi-dream all night.....just 3 long periods of sleep and "normal" dreams. Morning symptoms......... felt weak and bone/muscular weakness during mile walk. Also feeling a little faint when getting up from sitting. This could be due to using diuretic med which lowers blood pressure. Will relax this morning. Through all of this I have kept up simple remodel schedule.......stain a house, work on bids.

Ache and shortness of breath would not allow 10 mile hike today! Hopefully by weekend.

Appetite is good. Reading recipes for crab cakes and and breakfast burritos!