Yesterday I had my fifth round of taxotere. I can safely say I’m over half-way through chemo! Onco was very happy, MR last week showed a reduction and his physical exam did the same. According to his measurements, it’s now 3*4,5 cm. We had a long chat about side effects and I got a new regime (Lyrica for the neuropathy and Nystimex for the fungal infection – it’s the same as Mycostatin but sugar-free, so should be trigger-free in regards to my perio).

I got the window chair this time! Orchid was dead, but who cares, my stuff is colourful enough. And I have finally found the Perfect Cup – haven’t spilt a drop in a long time with this one!

I also discussed my concerns in regards to Neurontin having such a great effect the first time but none whatsoever the second time (pain management and “head buzz”) and he told me that our bodies react differently in regards to meds and that this is totally normal. Nice to know. I also asked about the fungal infection and whether he thought it originated in my gut or mouth, and he was unsure. He’d also never used Nystimex, so we ended up with a nice microbiological talk about microflora of the mouth.

Stats were good, my white blood cell (WBC, leukocyte) levels are increasing but CRP was at 4 (very low), blood plates and % were normal, good to go for another round. We had a small talk about number of rounds of chemo and the op – we are in agreement that the more chemo I can push into this silly body, the better, and he also agreed that Boxing Day might not be the best day for surgery, but we are now deciding on chemo one round at a time.

Unless I manage 8, in which case there will be 9 and op the second week of January.

Five rounds of chemo means that I am getting cumulative problems. Increased WBC levels (normal levels are 3,5 to 10 but normal for me over the past 6 years has been 11-15). Last week they were at 12, this week 18. It’s the Neulasta injection that increases these levels so we’re still within an acceptable range, as long as the rest of my blood work is acceptable, but definitely a value that shouldn’t increase too much.

My nurse gave me a saline solution to rinse my eyes with. There is a slight possibility that the epiphora may be due to chemo coursing through my system and that rinsing my eyes whenever they start watering may alleviate it slightly. I got several 10 ml syringes. First try this morning – you know how syringes can be really hard to push down and then it just goes BOOM? Left eye not exactly happy with having 1 ml shot in at great speed.

And I am noticing cumulative side effects. The hydrocortisone pills I’m taking no longer give me two energy-packed days after chemo. I started folding and clearing away laundry and managed half an hour before body said “naaaaaaaaaaaaah, much better to write a blog”.

I did start on the Nystimex last night, hoping that it might prevent a complete fungal explosion, although I have stocked up on vanilla and chocolate protein puddings, chicken breasts and yogurt. Apparently one of the protein puddings tastes horrible but as I’ll only be eating them if/when my mouth gets really bad – I’ll use my olfactory memory to remember the best chocolate and/or vanilla puddings I’ve ever eaten!

I shall now try to fold some more clothes. Actually, no, that’s a fib. I shall try to sort clothes into their appropriate drawers and fold them some other day – if and when I have the energy – at the moment I’ll be happy to get all the clean clothes from the hamper into correct drawers…

The book in the photo is “Stien tilbake til Livet” by Long Litt Woon. Unfortunately, only in Norwegian as we speak but it has been sold to many countries and it is highly recommendable! Information, facebook page and a good book review (both in Norwegian).