A bit of a setback

Today I went in for blood chemistry analysis, a consultation with the oncologist, and a chemo treatment.

After looking at this morning's blood-test results, the doctor canceled the chemo treatment. My white blood count is too low and more chemotherapy now would put me into the dangerous range and probably send me to the hospital. With neutropenia even normal bacteria in one's mouth or digestive tract can cause serious infections.   

Whoops. Don't want that!

Of course, I wanted to know what caused this. White blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. Typically, white blood cell production decreases after a chemotherapy infusion and rebounds before the next treatment. That did not happen this time, with the result that my white-blood-cell count is too low to effectively fight infection. Evidently this is not unusual, but it throws a monkey wrench into my treatment plan.

Chemotherapy has now been postponed until next week, assuming the next blood test looks better. 

(Have I said how much I hate having blood drawn? I asked if the staff if they are feeding vampire bats in the basement. I think they have heard that more than once.)

During this next week, the hope is that my bone marrow will start cranking out white blood cells. The doctor said it is just something that needs more time. Nothing much to be done on my part other than to continue with healthy food and regular exercise, wash my hands a lot, and and avoid people with colds.

Ironically, I have been feeling OK, except for my usual springtime allergy that has me sneezing and sniffling. I have managed to get out to walk at least 30 minutes each day (except for one day when the rain never let up) and I have been getting enough sleep. So it was a surprise to be told that I am once again experiencing a side effect that I encountered back when I had my first chemo treatment. I am hoping I won't end up in the ER again, as I did last fall when I developed a fever. 

Adding alternative medicine to the mix

This past week, I met with a naturopath to discuss my overall health and ways to help me deal with not only cancer, but cancer treatment. 

It was a very different experience from my usual medical encounters. The exam room was pleasant and non-clinical. There was a small teddy bear sitting on a table, a top hat with a stuffed rabbit on the doctor's desk,  and instead of one of those leather and metal contraptions they make patients sit on, there was a daybed with a patchwork cover. The doctor offered me some dark chocolate and asked me a lot of questions about my life and activities, state of mind, and experiences with chemo side effects.

He told me to stick with the glutamine that I take to mitigate mouth sores and to be sure to take 15 grams a day. Because I often have trouble remembering to take five grams three times a day, he told me to just take the 15 grams all at once—perhaps mixing the glutamine powder with yogurt or apple sauce. That has sure made it easier to get my daily dose.

He also told me I need to take a B vitamin supplement, which will combat the neuropathy I am still dealing with and help with my energy level. So I've added that to my daily collection of nostrums.

I also learned that women with breast cancer who exercise every day reduce the chance of recurrence by 50%. Exercise has been a problem for me due to low energy levels and lack of good weather for walking. After my latest meeting with my oncologist, who also encouraged exercise, I had good intentions. But I then had two days of nausea and extreme fatigue and we had a lot if rainy weather, so I lost my resolve. But that 50% number is quite a motivator, so for the past few days I have made it a point to get out and walk for 30 minutes. 

Today I discovered that the walk to Starbucks is 15 minutes each way. 

One of the challenges I have is getting enough sleep. I have been having nightmares every night. There are two recurring themes: I am either desperately trying to escape someone who wants to kill me or I am trying to leave on a trip, but can't manage the logistics… can't get packed, miss my plane, ship leaves without me, etc. 

In these dreams, I am overwhelmed with fear, anger, and frustration. It doesn't take a psychiatrist to figure out that the nightmares are related to my cancer.

I often wake up in the night with a pounding heart and a sense of bad chemicals flooding my body. Getting back to sleep is really difficult. The doctor suggested taking melatonin before bed and reemphasized exercise. Sure hope this works, because lack of sleep is a bad thing when dealing with cancer. 

I'll be seeing the naturopath again in a few weeks and will be compiling more questions to ask about diet and nutrition. People suggest various things to me, but without someone looking at the overall picture, it is impossible to know how these things might interact. 

By the way, I was surprised to learn that Medicare doesn't cover naturopathic medicine. That is a huge barrier for many people who could benefit greatly from supplementing traditional medicine with a more a holistic approach to healing.

There is a lot more to the body than tumors.

The slog continues

I had another chemotherapy treatment this past Tuesday, as well as blood tests and a meeting with my oncologist. My white-blood-cell count was low three weeks ago, so my treatment was dialed back a bit; but my blood count is now at the low end of normal. 

In general, I have been finding this regimen a lot easier in the side-effects department; so I was disappointed to find myself nauseated and exhausted all day Wednesday, and tired and slightly queasy on Thursday and Friday.

I am still experiencing some neuropathy, but a lot less now; so I take medication for it usually only once a day. 

My doctor suggested I add back some of my usual activities, as a way of combatting the depression I continue to experience as this process drags on. I did make it to the art museum on Thursday night, and it finally stopped raining, so my husband and I spent some time in our local park on Friday and I did a bit of cleanup of our balcony garden. I hope to get down to our building's gym in the next few days to start getting some exercise.

My hair is slowly growing back. It is maybe 1/4 inch long now. So instead of something from the Zombie Apocalypse, I look like a Marine recruit.

It turns out that the usual cycle on this drug combination is six treatments, three weeks apart; so if I go the whole course, that takes the process into May before surgery will be scheduled. 

Next week, I have an appointment with a naturopath to discuss other ways to deal with this cancer.