CYCLE 5 = Finito - MRI Results and Blood Transfusion

Wow, I have a lot of things to fill everyone in on!!

Ok, so, after my last post I went to the Drs Office and they told me that my Red blood count had become critically low so I needed a transfusion RIGHT AWAY.  I kind of knew this would be the case because earlier that day I was changing the sheets on the bed, and every time I finished one part, i.e. putting the fitted sheet on the bed, I was winded.  I had to take a break, catch my breath, let my heart beat slow down, then continue making the bed.  I've never felt like that in my life, so I knew something was up.  They scheduled the transfusion for Tuesday after my MRI.  This was going to make for an awesome *sarcastic* day.

My MRI went a lot smoother than I expected.  The first time I had it done it was an awful experience.  But this time, I went to a different place, and the tech was great.  For the MRI I have to lay on my stomach with my left arm stretched out straight and my head kinda tucked in order to fit in the machine.  The tech made sure my head was supported, it didn't take 2 hours like it did the last time, and I just felt more comfortable over all.

After the MRI, Sean and I grabbed lunch and waited for the call that my bed was ready at the hospital.  The call that NEVER came.  Finally, we just went over there and tried to figure out where I was supposed to be.  We got there at 215pm, we figured out I was on the 10th floor.  We went up there went to the nurses station, a nurse there took me to my room and we waited, and waited and waited.  No one ever came to talk to us for almost an hour.  Finally I broke down, Sean went back out to the nurses station to find out what was going on.  They said I wasn't registered (no one mentioned this), and no one knew I was even in there.  They said they hadn't received the orders from the doctor, yet, I had a room for a transfusion?  I dunno, it was a disaster.  By 330pm my port still hadn't been accessed.  I knew that each unit of blood took 3-4 hours so I knew this was going to be a LONG night.  At 6pm the nurse came in and told me they had gotten the info from the blood bank and they were just waiting for the blood to come up.  The first bag of blood went up at 630pm.  By this time, Sean had gone home to take care of the pups and I knew it was going to be late before I was done. When the second bag didn't go up until 1020pm, I told him I'd call my dad to come get me since he had to work a double the next day, he would be so exhausted.  Luckily dad was able to come and finally at 130am, after 11 hours, I was discharged and on my way home to bed.  Can we say ridiculous?

Well, after the transfusion I felt great.  The first day not so much, but each day after that I was feeling better and better.  I even went to bootcamp on Thursday night and got my butt kicked.  It felt awesome to be 'normal' for a night.  I couldn't do it all, but I did what I could.  And then I could barely walk the next few days ;o)

Results of the MRI
When I saw the Dr on Thursday after the MRI he took a look at the CD and got the results from the radiologist.  Everything is perfect.  He said the surgery I had originally to treat an infection had gotten rid of all the cancer and was healing fine.  There wasn't any other sign of cancer (except the microscopic cancer cells which chemo is taking care of).  I won't need any more surgery, but I will add radiation to my chemo regimen at the end of cycle 6 (beginning of March).  CAN I GET AN AMEN?!?!?!?

Cycle 5
I only have to do this regimen 4 more times, yes!  Chemo was uneventful.  No nausea, because of the awesome meds I have.  Becky took my on my long day and a new friendly face, my sis-in-law, Judy took me on my short day.  Sean was also sick during both of my chemo days, so I was the one helping him, instead of him helping me.  It was very different.  Normally he takes care of everything when I get home from chemo, this time, I was walking the dogs after chemo and taking care of the house.  I must say, it was hard and I needed more sleep because of it.

Now I'm just getting over feeling awful from the Neulasta shot.  Again, only 4 more of those, whoo hoo!!  This is definitely the part I hate each month, but I know that I have to get the shot so I can regain my white blood counts, so it's worth it to feel like crap for a day I guess.

Well, that's all the news for now.  Hope everyone is having a great start to 2012, I know I am!  Less than 4 months now until I'm Mrs Strait :o)