Naps are good

I was supposed to have my ninth chemotherapy session this past Thursday. Before administering the four drug regimen through my port, they draw blood to check on my level of anemia. Anemia is expected because of bone marrow suppression but if my hemoglobin (Hb) gets too low they will need to do a transfusion. On Thursday I was just above the transfusion threshold (a Hb of 8 is the threshold and mine was 9). Every other session, I see the Physician Assistant on my team and she takes an updated medical history and does an exam. My current level of fatigue and shortness of breath got her attention. (I think it's when I told her that I have to stop about every half block and catch my breath when I'm walking the dogs). She spoke with my oncologist, who decided to postpone Thursday’s treatment and rule out pulmonary or cardiac toxicity, which can be side effects of the chemotherapy drugs.

They did a computed tomography (CT) of my chest to rule out pneumonitis (negative) and I had an echocardiogram yesterday (no changes from a pre-cancer study). Therefore, the fatigue is just due to age and the chemotherapy itself. It is a relief that I have no serious side effects and I can now proceed with the last four chemotherapy, treatment sessions and get beyond all of this oncology care. My last treatment will be July 16.

There is a couch in our family room that is particularly comfortable: I can frequently be found there taking a nap with two Cairn terriers sleeping right next to me. They love naps.

Luna