"Update" after Chemo #15

If you have been looking for my update and blogs the last few days, sorry---I have been dealing with allergies that make me too congested to lie down for long at night. Lack of sleep fosters the depression. So I am battling allergies, depression, and still swollen lymph glands--the worst is under my chin the size of a tennis ball! Lately, when I lay on the unaffected side, my left side of the face is swollen as is the right- upon wakening, pushing my lips out like a bad silicone injection job. I look like a "block head", or a "no neck gangster"! I can't get my wedding band on the non affected hand till mid day. The lymphatic clinic does massages to the valve areas of the lymphs twice a week---giving me minimal relief for a little while, I also do these massages myself often. My right arm and hand is constantly swollen. I have been fitted with a different compression sleeve for the problem, the new material is kinder to my skin---no more rashes. My fingers look like sausages when I wear the sleeve, it does seam to push the swelling upwards, but after a few minuets after removal---the arm and hand is back to the same as pre-sleeve. My right breast is also edematous. The scales show a two pound weight gain for the last couple of treatment days. I have asked the oncologist for a gentle diuretic---since all the evidence points to the need of one, but he says that I need to go to my family physician. Now let's replay this: I took myself off of the Decadron that they give as an anti-emetic because the side effects of that "steroid" (that is to aid in fluid removal), is fluid retention!! One of the side effects of the chemo that I am on is fluid retention; but they won't treat me for this side effect---I have to make an appointment that will take more time and money, and in the meantime, I have to deal with all this edema!! I am RN, and I know what is going on with my body, but they think I am branded as one of their herd--and have to play this "game" by their rules. This is why, my friends, it is so important to prevent illness rather than waiting until you have to treat one!! Educate yourself now on proper nutrition, exercise, stress reduction, proper sleep, sunshine, and faith. "Preventiveness is the BEST medicine"!!
As far as my labs this week, all was the same as it has been except the WBC's have dropped to 4.9, and the ANC (total calc. of the immune system) is now down to 3,986--still way above the required 1,500, but a significant drop from last week. Chemo will deplete your immune system, but mine had been doing well until this week, my theory is lack of sleep and stress from worry. These two elements have been repeatedly documented to greatly diminish the immune system. I have recently added another immune booster to my nutritional supplements, it is called "Cat's Claw", I will post an article about it on tomorrow's blog.
In the meantime, I am taking Guaifenesin to thin the congestion, napping when I am tired, enjoying the sun--when we can get it, and being grateful for my life!

United in Health, Humanity and the Environment; Laura