February 22, 2018
Today was my last of 3 appointments this week. I met with my Doctor first, who told me there is zero evidence of any new or progressed cancer. My tumor has shrunk by nearly 90% with what remains being potentially dead. The tightness and dry cough I had been experiencing are/were a result of scar tissue caused by the radiation. This is all good news and I’ll take good news. Today was the first time to have my new port accessed, and I was nervous I won’t lie. It still hurts from being placed, mostly my neck but also the port itself. And they don’t give numbing cream anymore because someone had a seizure 😳 The Huber needle is intimidatingly big, not like an IV. It was not horrific though, one sharp deep stick and done. And because my port is so new it will likely smart less as time goes by and the area heals. I brought all my people the cupcakes and they loved them. After arriving back home Brian and I went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse with our good friend Jim, in town and visiting for a big EMS Today Conference. Yum! Overall today was a very good day!
Now, if I could just sleep at night! I don't know if it's the new and higher dose of medicines, anxiety or what but for the past few weeks I'm lucky to get 3 full hours each night. I am almost always awake between 1:30 and 5:30, and can't fall asleep before midnight. When I don't have to work I can sleep in until 9 but when I do I'm up and moving by 7:30. My doc suggested try something simple like melatonin to start and see if that helps. If not we will look at something more substantial like Ambien. Our joint concern is adding drug upon drug, as nighttime is really the only time I take meds, but they are hefty for pain. We don't want me to accidentally forget to wake up in the morning! SO we shall see how the next couple weeks are and go from there.