The Cancer Journey : The 11 Day Journey in Queen Mary
Reposted from denisetam.webs.com September 6, 2012
Here's a very very brief summary of my last week or so...
Sunday 26th
- felt really bad after church
- stomach severely bloated
- difficulty in breathing
- heart rate high
- asked my mom to take me to the hospital
- arrived at emergency and heart rate was sky high, but bc of the high heart rate they immediately have me a bed and rushed me off to do tests and have doctors come see me
- about 2 hrs later I was given a bed in the public ward where they take most of the emergency cases
- I was blessed with a bed by the window and bc most of the people have to wear diapers I mainly had the bathroom to myself
Monday 27th
- had a lot of tests done, at this point I can't even remember which tests
Tuesday 28th
- bone marrow biopsy done: just as painful
Thursday 30th
- had enough of public ward as I couldn't sleep most nights. Slept maybe 3-4 hrs a night.
- also decided we wanted to see a specific doctor, professor Kwong who you can only request to see if you're in private
- afternoon sent to private ward
Friday 31st
- had a tube put into my lungs to drain fluid: very painful procedure
- I've been breathing with oxygen since Thursday
Saturday 1st
- had first dose of Rituximab: a antibody chemo that I also had in my last chemo regiment
- reacted quite badly: extremely cold, then high fever, then extremely hot and broke out in a few rashes
- reaction died down after an hour or so
- no appetite
Sunday 2nd
- day of rest
- still little appetite, feeling very week
- got to wash my hair properly and get bathed
Monday 3rd
- first day without fever since 26th
- appetite returned
Tuesday 4th
- got tube taken out, fluid wasn't draining properly and doctor discovered tube wasn't put in deep enough >
- rested and ate well
Wednesday 5th
- got Hickman line put in: only under local anesthesia; so an emotional and mentally stressful procedure for me
- still good appetite and preparing for Thursday
Thursday 6th
- lymph node biopsy under general anesthesia in the morning.
- Originally planned to start chemo regiment (DHAP) and possibly have R (Rituximab) today but this is now postponed to Friday (tomorrow) instead. X-ray report showed that the Hickman line was put too far in thus a minor procedure was needed to make adjustment to pull it back out a little.
- Appetite back.
Friday 7th
- Rested well, good appetite.
- Started chemo drip in the evening 8:05pm- they prepped me with three bottles of fluid and nutrients, 1 very expensive anti vomit pill that they dont give in public ward (:0), and 1 extra injection of anti vomit medicine. Will drip until 4 in the morning and will have steroid eye drops every four hours.
- A wound from an injection i received this afternoon in my arm started to bleed which is weird :S
- Here's a verse for you all, may you also be encouraged and continue to have faith: "Surely God is my salvation; i will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation" Isaiah 12:2
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It's been an extremely tough week but I'm continuing to stay positive and can also see the many blessings and even joy in my present circumstances. For one, I am constantly showered with lots of love from friends and family and have also made a new friend (my roomie) who is also a young lady fighting cancer. I don't have much time or energy to get into specifics but will try to send my updates out when I can.
Mandy will be helping me post updates so you're aware of what's going on.
Thanks for the Iove and prayers. I'm extremely blessed.