Hi,
Today is day number 8 and things are pretty much the same. I have sores all over my mouth and tongue and one of them is even in my throat. It seems like I am the poster boy for every possible Erbitux side effect. The last one on the list is an acne like rash that can get infected. I really haven’t seen that yet but there are some red areas on my face that look like they would like to become a rash someday soon. There are similar spots on my chest so I fully expect to get this acne-rash and have to deal with that as well. I have conquered my constipation problem and replaced it with diarrhea but at least things are moving through the system again.
Right now the nausea is manageable but still very much there. I feel very run down and I haven’t really left the house in 8 days except to go pick up my new glasses and go to the doctor. I don’t have the energy or the desire to do anything right now except get past this day and see what tomorrow brings.
Enough about that, let's talk about something fun!! I have taken a real interest in cactus and succulents lately and today Carol and I potted the ones that GmaJo (Carol’s Mother) sent me for my birthday. I am attaching a picture so you can see what a great gift that was!
I think I like cacti because they thrive almost everywhere, they don’t require much attention and they are almost impossible to kill. That’s a good inspiration for me right now J
Well I have 5 more days to get better before the 2nd round of chemo but we are removing the Erbitux so I hope the side effects will be more manageable because I don’t think I could manage 6 months of feeling the way I do right now. I would probably make the decision at some point to just stop the chemo and monitor the situation with scans and blood work. There comes a point where the benefits of anything are not worth the cost. I am not there yet by any means but I could see that happening in a month or so.
Carol continues to be Florence Nightingale for me. She picks up medication for me, she cooks foods I can eat and she never lets me wallow in self-pity for too long. Please keep her in your prayers as well ok?
Love and Peace to all….
John (and Carol)
WOWIE!!!! Those cacti look awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteA cute display which will only get more fun as they grow, blossom, and become healthy!
All of which you , John, will do.. Cause Carol is taking care of the cacti, like taking care of you...so you will grow, blossom and become healthy, too!!! Tis the Leicht in her LOL...
Love ya two.. and always our prayers,
GmaJo and Grumpa Dad
Hello you two,
ReplyDeleteJohn, I love your analogy with the cacti-great way to look at things. I know it's hard right now but you WILL feel better. Carol, great job on keeping John positive. It's so easy at times to slip into feeling sorry for yourself. You're such a positive influence for John. Thank you for being such a good mate!
Love you both,
Murph