I was discharged yesterday after a week inpatient at Swedish Medical Center. Shortness of breath brought me in on April 23 in the wee, early hours of the morning. I had a pleural effusion (fluid in the lungs), which was drained the next day, then I stayed for the rest of the week. Not lung mets, thankfully.
So now I'm trying to rest at home, cuddle with Rik and the dogs, and get some energy. More soon.
April 30, 2016
April 13, 2016
Steroids
I am hopefully tapering off the prednisone completely after this week. It's been more than a month, I've gained 14 pounds (which on my 5'4" body means I can't fit into much of my clothing) and I haven't slept well in weeks.
No matter what steroids do to make you'll better, you can't just stop them "cold turkey" and they have unpleasant side effect, namely: hungry all the time (which means weight gain) and keep you awake at night (which means crappy sleep).
I guess the weight will start to disappear as I feel less hungry at every hour of the day. Sleep is more difficult. I've alternated between Ambien and Ativan, but the Ativan no longer seems to work, which leaves me taking Ambient every night until the weekend. Then no doubt I will develop rebound insomnia and not sleep for a few days from that.
Cancer sucks.
But before I get off the steroids completely, Dr G wants me to have a Cortrosyn (cosyntropin) stimulation test (blood test) to see what my thyroid is actually doing. Apparently this test means multiple blood draws over several hours, potentially while fasting. I don't know but I guess I'll find out more later this afternoon when I see him.
And then maybe a little shopping. It's the last day of a Macy's sale and there's a pair of sandals I want to try on.
PS No trip to Macy's, because it took forever to schedule everything with Dr G's new front desk staff, who seem seriously undertrained after my years with the staff at Minor and James.
MORE PS'S:
My tumor markers are down by 100 points!
My brain tumors appear smaller and there are no new ones!
I get to stop steroids tomorrow!
Everything is coming up roses at the moment on the cancer front. The Alimta and bicalutamide appear to be working.
No matter what steroids do to make you'll better, you can't just stop them "cold turkey" and they have unpleasant side effect, namely: hungry all the time (which means weight gain) and keep you awake at night (which means crappy sleep).
I guess the weight will start to disappear as I feel less hungry at every hour of the day. Sleep is more difficult. I've alternated between Ambien and Ativan, but the Ativan no longer seems to work, which leaves me taking Ambient every night until the weekend. Then no doubt I will develop rebound insomnia and not sleep for a few days from that.
Cancer sucks.
But before I get off the steroids completely, Dr G wants me to have a Cortrosyn (cosyntropin) stimulation test (blood test) to see what my thyroid is actually doing. Apparently this test means multiple blood draws over several hours, potentially while fasting. I don't know but I guess I'll find out more later this afternoon when I see him.
And then maybe a little shopping. It's the last day of a Macy's sale and there's a pair of sandals I want to try on.
PS No trip to Macy's, because it took forever to schedule everything with Dr G's new front desk staff, who seem seriously undertrained after my years with the staff at Minor and James.
MORE PS'S:
My tumor markers are down by 100 points!
My brain tumors appear smaller and there are no new ones!
I get to stop steroids tomorrow!
Everything is coming up roses at the moment on the cancer front. The Alimta and bicalutamide appear to be working.
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