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April 8, 2013

Coping With Chemo Delays

Delaying chemo is a very normal thing but it may drive you crazy as a friend, family member or patient because yet another thing is out of your control. I usually make all these plans (rides, magazines, movies that I plan on watching) only to have them completely changed due to my blood counts and the like. See, before each session of intravenous chemotherapy I go to the hospital on Thursday, get my blood taken and analysed, see my oncology team and confer on my health as to proceed with chemotheraphy.

The problem with chemo in the 1990's was that they hadn't yet figured out how to give the medicine without killing the patient due to side effects. Doctors have been refining this delicate balance ever since, by avoiding chemo when white blood cell count is too low because we need some infection fighters, hemoglobin is low (which clots our blood in case of cuts, keeps us warm and affects dizzyness or shortness of breath) or we have side effects which are too extreme such as constant vomiting or diarrhoea. If chemo was to proceed as usual then we might just get infected, become skeletors or have to be bubble people, no offence to the beautiful bubble people of the world.

This is why I've had to delay my chemotherapy infusions about 4 times in the last 2 years. Usually, white blood cell count reigns supreme as there is potential sickness every where and becoming a septic chemie is just not a good life choice :). I was delayed last week but I'll probably have a session this coming Friday (Friday is my day because of Dr. Webster's clinic schedule.) I was extremely flattered by my father last week because he told me that I handle these delays very well and that he knows some very tough people who he thinks would crack up in my situation. Thanks dad, I wouldn't have thought that I was going to be so good at rolling with it but I'm glad that I am.



5 comments:

RKill said...

It's a good thing that you're so good looking, because your personality leaves plenty to be desired.

Rosie said...

Love to see you smiling! And awesome job on the eye brows. ;-) xoxo

Mom said...

The picture doesn't even do you justice! Your smile and eyes are even brighter and bigger with no hair and I think because you are so comfortable everyone who sees you is too. Kill made me laugh out loud with his comment! Your Dad is so right; you are rolling with the delays and changes far better than anyone could. I hope chemo happens this week and that it is easy on you, but does the job! Lots of love. xoxox

Anonymous said...

Your eyeballs look amaaaaaazing. Like, seriously, super bright. Also, Robbie says you have a good shaped head for baldness. (I suppose he would know). Can Ash and I come and keep you company soon? I want to snuggle with you! We can watch Say Yes to the Dress and eat apples.

Love you, my, dear.
K

Cail Jordan said...

I love that my friend is offering me a Say Yes to the Dress marathon. Now, that's a girl who knows how to lure me to her house :). Thanks for all of the bald love guys, it's really helping.