Longer Recovery This Time

It seems like my “recovery” from the third (and final) round of chemotherapy is taking longer than the first two. Fatigue is the problem. On Thursday, my white blood cell count was only 0.8, which is way low. Apparently, the Newlasta medication is taking longer to kick in this time. Last round, my white blood cell count was 10.8 within two days after the Newlasta shot. I guess there is a cumulative effect from all the drugs.

Oh well, I’ve been taking it easy this weekend – watching movies, reading some, and napping on the back patio. My appetite is good. The only thing slowing down my eating is a sore lip the past few days and a small sore on the inside of my mouth. I’ve been maintaining my weight. Even added a few pounds when I get into the Haagen Dasz ice cream.

My next challenge is to get prepared for the upcoming radiation treatments. Beverly, who works with the oncologist, provided us with lots of great information to go along with her friendly “radiation is going to be tough” lecture. Side effects can be different and more severe. Eating and maintaining my weight are critical, and challenging. So I’m going to have a daily regimen of keeping my mouth and throat as healthy as possible. The alternative is to have a feeding tube surgically implanted, and that is NOT what I want. So here’s to good oral health during radiation 🙂