The blues

sandysp
sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
in Anal Cancer #1
Had the blues yesterday. Pain in the sternum felt like a heart attack several times, winded going up and down the stairs, crying at the drop of a hat and whining (oh God, I hate my whiney voice), diarrhea all day, terrible cramps (double over kind) and guess what????

Went to the doctor today and she said "did you take any Imodium?" And guess what my answer was? "NOOOOO! Can you believe I FORGOT TO TAKE IMODIUM and I've been on this board for HOW MANY WEEKS NOW?

My doctor said the pain in the sternum and the pain in my pelvic bone (not mentioned above) was from the shot they gave me to keep my platelets up and my blood work looked "great" today.

I was like a drunk this morning and found out that is a symptom of dehydration. I could not walk straight. Totally loopy. So I volunteered to spend two hours at the hospital (it wasn't critical to do it) getting hydrated with an iv. I was so groggy that it didn't matter that I was in a chair for two hours, until about a half an hour into the IV when I felt myself come alive again. We are truly made of water! Her advice to me was to keep drinking fluids all day. Mostly I enjoy what the nutritionist recommended Concord Grape Juice and/or Apple Juice mixed with water.

I love this board and reading what others have posted is still helping me throughout the day. I'm obsessed with your healing journeys.

Comments

  • RoseC
    RoseC Member Posts: 559
    #2
    So glad you're feeling
    So glad you're feeling better today! Yes, dehydration can cause SO many issues. My nutritionist recommended a great protein drink - it's called Resource. It comes in several flavors; I like the berry best. Tastes just like fruit juice but it's got plenty of protein in it. You have to order it at a drugstore, but it's not too expensive. You'd probably want to cut it with water like with the others. It sure tastes better than Ensure!
  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #3
    RoseC said:

    So glad you're feeling
    So glad you're feeling better today! Yes, dehydration can cause SO many issues. My nutritionist recommended a great protein drink - it's called Resource. It comes in several flavors; I like the berry best. Tastes just like fruit juice but it's got plenty of protein in it. You have to order it at a drugstore, but it's not too expensive. You'd probably want to cut it with water like with the others. It sure tastes better than Ensure!

    Yeah!
    I'm going to try ordering online. Thanks! Ensure is too rich tasting.
  • Captain11
    Captain11 Member Posts: 88
    #4
    What a day, huh???
    Hi, Sandy. Bet you won't forget the imodium again, eh???? About that shot... I got wicked stiff pains in my neck and back. You get the shot the day after the chemo week, then it takes 4 or 5 days to get into the bone marrow... and then you feel the pain. That pain in the bones can be anywhere, so if you get the shot again, it could be in a totally different location. That shot is a large boost for the white blood cells, which the chemo destroys.. we need those cells to fight off infection. My blood counts got so low, that I had to get 2 units of blood. Don't worry if the docs suggest that to you. Take the blood, if doc suggests it, it will give you a big energy boost. Also, remember to stay hydrated... very important. Force yourself to eat and drink... especially drink. There is also a product out called Re-ju-ven. It costs about $17 for a 4-pk. It is a powder that you mix with water. I got the orange flavor. It tasted pretty good. But, to make it worth the money, I watered it down. Also, ask the staff at the chemo center, they may have free samples of different things to try. Water is always good. Put a piece of fruit (lemon slice, orange slice, raspberry, blueberry, etc) in a glass of water. That helps, too. Also, try some raspberry tea. That worked for me. You need to rest. Don't fight it, because you will only get more fatigued. Hope tomorrow is a better day for you. Take care. God bless.
  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #5
    Captain11 said:

    What a day, huh???
    Hi, Sandy. Bet you won't forget the imodium again, eh???? About that shot... I got wicked stiff pains in my neck and back. You get the shot the day after the chemo week, then it takes 4 or 5 days to get into the bone marrow... and then you feel the pain. That pain in the bones can be anywhere, so if you get the shot again, it could be in a totally different location. That shot is a large boost for the white blood cells, which the chemo destroys.. we need those cells to fight off infection. My blood counts got so low, that I had to get 2 units of blood. Don't worry if the docs suggest that to you. Take the blood, if doc suggests it, it will give you a big energy boost. Also, remember to stay hydrated... very important. Force yourself to eat and drink... especially drink. There is also a product out called Re-ju-ven. It costs about $17 for a 4-pk. It is a powder that you mix with water. I got the orange flavor. It tasted pretty good. But, to make it worth the money, I watered it down. Also, ask the staff at the chemo center, they may have free samples of different things to try. Water is always good. Put a piece of fruit (lemon slice, orange slice, raspberry, blueberry, etc) in a glass of water. That helps, too. Also, try some raspberry tea. That worked for me. You need to rest. Don't fight it, because you will only get more fatigued. Hope tomorrow is a better day for you. Take care. God bless.

    pain in bones
    I am glad the doctor thinks I am doing so well because the pain is still with me. I look at the clock to see if it's been four hours yet. Last Friday I didn't even think about a pain pill I felt so good.

    It makes me feel better to know that this isn't cancer killing me but my own body working hard to fight for our life here on earth. I rested all day today.

    Tomorrow my pianist is coming over and I'm practicing. Just one hour instead of two but I know that will do much to relieve my pain just from the concentration. It's worked for me my whole life. Next concert is in November. Normally we would have had one in September. But it's a new series and nobody knows we missed a concert except me. The goal is to have one for each season and celebrate a poet along with birthdays and anniversary dates of the death of composers. So much fun. Nice to think about something else for a change. My church job is off for the summer and I took a break from my real estate job due to the painful contractions. Does anyone know anything about SS disability?
  • Angela_K
    Angela_K Member Posts: 374 Member
    #6
    sandysp said:

    pain in bones
    I am glad the doctor thinks I am doing so well because the pain is still with me. I look at the clock to see if it's been four hours yet. Last Friday I didn't even think about a pain pill I felt so good.

    It makes me feel better to know that this isn't cancer killing me but my own body working hard to fight for our life here on earth. I rested all day today.

    Tomorrow my pianist is coming over and I'm practicing. Just one hour instead of two but I know that will do much to relieve my pain just from the concentration. It's worked for me my whole life. Next concert is in November. Normally we would have had one in September. But it's a new series and nobody knows we missed a concert except me. The goal is to have one for each season and celebrate a poet along with birthdays and anniversary dates of the death of composers. So much fun. Nice to think about something else for a change. My church job is off for the summer and I took a break from my real estate job due to the painful contractions. Does anyone know anything about SS disability?

    I missed something . . .
    Sandy, I missed something along the way. What instrument do you play?
  • Angela_K
    Angela_K Member Posts: 374 Member
    #7
    sandysp said:

    pain in bones
    I am glad the doctor thinks I am doing so well because the pain is still with me. I look at the clock to see if it's been four hours yet. Last Friday I didn't even think about a pain pill I felt so good.

    It makes me feel better to know that this isn't cancer killing me but my own body working hard to fight for our life here on earth. I rested all day today.

    Tomorrow my pianist is coming over and I'm practicing. Just one hour instead of two but I know that will do much to relieve my pain just from the concentration. It's worked for me my whole life. Next concert is in November. Normally we would have had one in September. But it's a new series and nobody knows we missed a concert except me. The goal is to have one for each season and celebrate a poet along with birthdays and anniversary dates of the death of composers. So much fun. Nice to think about something else for a change. My church job is off for the summer and I took a break from my real estate job due to the painful contractions. Does anyone know anything about SS disability?

    I missed something . . .
    Sandy, I missed something along the way. What instrument do you play?
  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #8
    Angela_K said:

    I missed something . . .
    Sandy, I missed something along the way. What instrument do you play?

    mi mi mi mi!
    I am a trained singer for all kinds of classical repertoire. I sometimes choose music by the composer but often research songs by the poet. The Heavenly Ore series features a poet each concert often set by obscure composers. The series is held in a nice little concert hall located in a library here. The hall has a decent Steinway concert grand and good acoustics. Planning and preparing takes a lot of work and energy. But always feels worth it.
  • Captain11
    Captain11 Member Posts: 88
    #9
    sandysp said:

    pain in bones
    I am glad the doctor thinks I am doing so well because the pain is still with me. I look at the clock to see if it's been four hours yet. Last Friday I didn't even think about a pain pill I felt so good.

    It makes me feel better to know that this isn't cancer killing me but my own body working hard to fight for our life here on earth. I rested all day today.

    Tomorrow my pianist is coming over and I'm practicing. Just one hour instead of two but I know that will do much to relieve my pain just from the concentration. It's worked for me my whole life. Next concert is in November. Normally we would have had one in September. But it's a new series and nobody knows we missed a concert except me. The goal is to have one for each season and celebrate a poet along with birthdays and anniversary dates of the death of composers. So much fun. Nice to think about something else for a change. My church job is off for the summer and I took a break from my real estate job due to the painful contractions. Does anyone know anything about SS disability?

    SS Disability
    Hi, Sandy, How are you feeling?? I am currently on SS Disability, as my side effects became too great.. the stiffness, numbness, loss of balance, etc. I was on FMLA, then short-term disability. Due to the cancer spreading and the need for further chemo, my short-term ran out and into long-term disability. If you think you are going to be out of work for a long time, you should contact your insurance company, there should be a staff member who will help you apply for ss disability. I know you have to be disabled for 6 months before the benefits kick in, and also that you have to apply for benefits at least 6 months in advance. There is a waiting period of 6 months. I hope this doesn't sound too confusing. The best thing to do is to contact your insurance company. If for some reason you don't have health insurance, contact a lawyer for a free consultation about how to apply for ss benefits. There is a lot of paperwork involved, lots of info has to come from the doctors, all the doctors involved. It is a long process, and you can be denied... which is why the lawyer is a good way to go. Lawyers know how to present this info to the disability agency. Oh, if the doctor is saying that you are doing well... believe him/her. One thing I know is that you cannot really judge your own progress... unless you are keeping a journal, and after each month or so, look back to read how far you have come. Hope this info helps... God bless.
  • z810840b
    z810840b Member Posts: 207 Member
    #10
    fluids
    Hi Sandy-When i was going through treatment i became dehydrated many times.it was awful and i needed an iv of fluids.Once, I passed out as i got to my oncologists office.After that i made sure i drank at least four 16oz bottles of water a day.it also helped with the burning when i urinated.Please take care of yourself..Hugs..alyse
  • Angela_K
    Angela_K Member Posts: 374 Member
    #11
    sandysp said:

    mi mi mi mi!
    I am a trained singer for all kinds of classical repertoire. I sometimes choose music by the composer but often research songs by the poet. The Heavenly Ore series features a poet each concert often set by obscure composers. The series is held in a nice little concert hall located in a library here. The hall has a decent Steinway concert grand and good acoustics. Planning and preparing takes a lot of work and energy. But always feels worth it.

    I'm a classicly trained singer, too!!! Mezzo Soprano.
    How about that! The first thing I did after treatment was rejoin my Madrigal group to see if I could still read. It felt sooooooo good to perform during Easter mass. I'm delighted to hear that you have that musical outlet! What a healing source music is!
  • SueRelays
    SueRelays Member Posts: 485
    #12
    z810840b said:

    fluids
    Hi Sandy-When i was going through treatment i became dehydrated many times.it was awful and i needed an iv of fluids.Once, I passed out as i got to my oncologists office.After that i made sure i drank at least four 16oz bottles of water a day.it also helped with the burning when i urinated.Please take care of yourself..Hugs..alyse

    I too struggle with getting
    I too struggle with getting enough liquids. So hard to drink fluids when a sip of water makes ya feel like hurling!!!

    I went for a fluid IV yesterday as well! Wish they could give me one each morning before I get up :)!!!

    Good luck to you! It's a helluva of journey!
  • sandysp
    sandysp Member Posts: 868 Member
    #13
    Angela_K said:

    I'm a classicly trained singer, too!!! Mezzo Soprano.
    How about that! The first thing I did after treatment was rejoin my Madrigal group to see if I could still read. It felt sooooooo good to perform during Easter mass. I'm delighted to hear that you have that musical outlet! What a healing source music is!

    wow
    that is soooooo cool.

    Yes - breathing and singing through phrases is the best way to heal.

    But I was thinking of canceling my rehearsal tomorrow, but you just talked me out of it.

    Once again you've come through!

    Fondly
    Sandy

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