Hey all!
Hope everyone is staying nice and warm and cozy during the holidays. Here in Kansas we've just received a nice layer of ice and snow. Just in time for Christmas, yay!
On the UC Front........I guess you could say that I am getting into a groove, with this having a ileostomy pouch. Finally found some products that work, which prevents skin irritations, and essentially helps it be more comfortable. I still have a bit of fear regarding it coming lose, but I've gotten a bit more comfortable with being out and about. I've been able to work out and dance again, so that is a huge improvement.
Just a few extra updates.........I've completely done a reorganization of my bathroom......since the ileostomy I have had a ton of supplies to store; paste, barrier remover, barrier wipes, oder blocker, bags, etc. Since the chemo, I've lost most of my hair, so basically I finally decided to cut my losses and get ride of all the things I no longer needed to make room for all the stuff that I do need. Bye, Bye, hair dryer, straighter, curling iron, razor, hair ties, bobby pins, brush, head bands, hair spray, etc. Hello new medical supply bin. Have I mentioned that I love organization? I have been sporting lots of fun hats, I do have a wig that I wear so as not to frighten my students, sometimes it is nice to feel like you at least look like a normal human being. I used to have long thick blond hair, and I do miss it when it especially when it is this cold out. I now have a red wig, that is a bit wild and fun for me. Why the heck not?!
Since the ileostomy I'm no longer dealing with malnutrition and dehydration issues so I've also been able to gain some weight back and put away my size 2 clothing. Which is nice, I am able to wear my usual clothing. Thank goodness! :-)
Chemo round 4......The doctors informed me that some patients have experienced some relief from the soreness and aches associated with chemo therapy by taking Claritin. So we tried it, and much to our surprise it worked, and I felt a bit better. I still had the usual exhaustion and was a bit nauseous but overall I felt a lot better.
Chemo round 5......I was originally scheduled for chemo on Wednesday, however the receptionist was confused and basically messed up, so we got a phone call on Tuesday letting us know that we needed to come in on Friday instead. (I guess it has to be scheduled exactly 3 weeks after the last, ugh.) I was a bit depressed by this news because it meant that I might be sick for Christmas, usually I feel crumby for a week after receiving chemo. Also it meant that my family had to reschedule their plans, or that I was going to go alone, thankfully my family is amazing, and we made it work, this way I wasn't all alone going into treatment #5. We were cheered up when my doctors informed me that they could no longer feel the tumor, this however doesn't mean that it is gone, just that it has shrunk a lot, which is a huge leap in the right direction. The infusion clinic had Christmas carolers, which lifted everyones spirits as well.
The future......I am expected to have 1 more round of chemo, then we are going to start talking about surgery. We'll see how this all shakes out. But for now, we are just going to spend some time with the ones that we love, and try to enjoy the holidays. Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!
