July 7, there was a mistake when Shawn picked up my Lovenox. I wasn't feeling well, Shannon's family had just arrived, and mostly I was in shock to have suddenly arrived in the "donut hole" of part D, the drug part of Medicare's structure in my insurance. (My prescription went from $9 to hundreds of $$$.) Even thought I checked with the pharmacy and the insurance company, I didn't realize this problem. The last few days I realized that my thought that 10 injections cost $227 was incorrect. It was really for 30 with the graduation into the donut hole, however they only gave Shawn 10-1 box instead of 30-3 boxes. My call to the pharmacist got me nowhere. She said that they had no extras and was to get back with me about the cost and if they could help any more. Today Shannon called the store manager. They reviewed tapes, etc. and decided that there is no way that there could have been 3 boxes in the one sack that went out to Shawn at the window, so they gave her the 2 other boxes. Yeah!!!!!! $600 saved and not down the tube! I'm so grateful.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
A Few Weeks with the Gourleys
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| Sure going to miss these 2 when they leave to go home tomorrow! |
They came to help me out. There have been lots of good things happening including Shawn's late night cookie baking. Yum Yum
Ditto-No treatment today
Unfortunately, my white blood count was lower today, so I couldn't have a treatment today. To help build it up, I have my first of seven daily shots. On Monday they will do a blood draw to see where it is. I hope I can continue with the last four chemo treatments so that I can move on.
This last week has been fine. I really haven't felt bad. I kind of don't want to get in the habit of not having the chemo and then have to go back to it. But what will be, will be.
Thanks for your love, prayers, and support in all ways.
This last week has been fine. I really haven't felt bad. I kind of don't want to get in the habit of not having the chemo and then have to go back to it. But what will be, will be.
Thanks for your love, prayers, and support in all ways.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Disappointment Today
Today when I went in for my treatment, I had a disappointment. My white blood count was too low for me to have it safely. I was so looking forward to only 3 treatments left. However, it is still 4. I have an antibiotic to take in case the toe is a part of the problem. I go back next Tuesday for Treatment 4.
Newest Development in Chemo's Attack on Fast Growing Cells
It is early Tuesday morning. I have had some trouble sleeping or I should say staying asleep. When I get to sleep, my sheets rub against or touch in some way the end of my "big toes" which causes a sharp sensation or pain that wakes me up. This is the first night time this has been a challenge. I have put some soft socks on and some more DoTerra oils. I hope that will help.
The extremities-toes and fingers began to be worse last Thursday. I noticed that my left "big toe" was quite swollen and tender. My toes have some sense of being numb, but they haven't been too bad. The nails on these toes have a different color and I believe they will probably come off eventually. Since then I have been soaking them daily in epsom salt water. I don't know if it is helping, but it does feel good.
A couple of weeks ago I noticed that my finger nails began to be discolored. It looked like they have bruises under them. One of the nurses looked at them when I told her about them and said they will likely turn black and fall off. How exciting! Then some of the nails had places of white and I noticed that the nails were pulling away from the skin. I have been keeping them trimmed back so that I won't catch them. My nails are shorter than they have ever been. They are sensitive and I notice that I am careful how I do things with my fingers. The last days they have bothered me more with discomfort, as do my toes. Last Tuesday my doctor looked at them and confirmed that it was the chemo. He said it wasn't very common with Taxol, but that it was with one of its sister drugs. So much for the norm! He said that I will probably loose them, but he assured me that like the hair they will grow back. I have to admit that it bothers me to see them get progressively worse. But this too shall pass and be only a memory. I could have so much worse side effects. I am grateful that I don't.
On the plus side, another side effect is reddish spots on my fore arms and the skin exposed to sun all of these years. My doctor assured me that too is the chemo. It is healing sun damaged skin and the skin will be healthier than it was before I began the chemo. A bonus or freebie!
The extremities-toes and fingers began to be worse last Thursday. I noticed that my left "big toe" was quite swollen and tender. My toes have some sense of being numb, but they haven't been too bad. The nails on these toes have a different color and I believe they will probably come off eventually. Since then I have been soaking them daily in epsom salt water. I don't know if it is helping, but it does feel good.
A couple of weeks ago I noticed that my finger nails began to be discolored. It looked like they have bruises under them. One of the nurses looked at them when I told her about them and said they will likely turn black and fall off. How exciting! Then some of the nails had places of white and I noticed that the nails were pulling away from the skin. I have been keeping them trimmed back so that I won't catch them. My nails are shorter than they have ever been. They are sensitive and I notice that I am careful how I do things with my fingers. The last days they have bothered me more with discomfort, as do my toes. Last Tuesday my doctor looked at them and confirmed that it was the chemo. He said it wasn't very common with Taxol, but that it was with one of its sister drugs. So much for the norm! He said that I will probably loose them, but he assured me that like the hair they will grow back. I have to admit that it bothers me to see them get progressively worse. But this too shall pass and be only a memory. I could have so much worse side effects. I am grateful that I don't.
On the plus side, another side effect is reddish spots on my fore arms and the skin exposed to sun all of these years. My doctor assured me that too is the chemo. It is healing sun damaged skin and the skin will be healthier than it was before I began the chemo. A bonus or freebie!
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
75% Weeks of Chemo Treatments Complete
Today was my 8th treatment of part 2's 12 weeks of treatments. I began treatments on April 1st, so 15 of the 20 weeks of chemo have been received. They have seemed like they will go on forever, so that it feels a little strange to begin to think and talk of them being over and to be thinking about what comes next. I met with my oncologist today. We had a good meeting. I won't meet with him again until the end of August as long as all goes well. At that time we will set up the radiation treatments and discuss the medication that blocks the estrogen which feeds the type of cancer I had. He said that those treatments will begin mid September.
For those of you familiar with Medicare or Medicare related insurance, you may be familiar with the "doughnut hole". It is when the drug part of the insurance stops paying larger amounts and you pay 79% of generic drugs or get a discount on brand names. You stay in that stage until you have paid $4400 "out of pocket". This is separate from the hospital and doctors "out of pocket". I unexpectedly entered the "doughnut hole" the first of this month. In fact it was a shock. I was about $2000 from it the last of May. The reason for the dramatic change is the shots I have daily because of the blood clots they found when I was in the hospital mid-May. I am scheduled to receive them for 6 months-4 more. Life is full of surprises, isn't it? Beware of the "Doughnut Hole"!!!!!!
Flowers and pictures of flowers remind me of the many beautiful things in this world and in my life. One of which is you-your love, friendship, and prayers.
Pictures from flowers in my back yard
by John Gourley. Thanks, John.
For those of you familiar with Medicare or Medicare related insurance, you may be familiar with the "doughnut hole". It is when the drug part of the insurance stops paying larger amounts and you pay 79% of generic drugs or get a discount on brand names. You stay in that stage until you have paid $4400 "out of pocket". This is separate from the hospital and doctors "out of pocket". I unexpectedly entered the "doughnut hole" the first of this month. In fact it was a shock. I was about $2000 from it the last of May. The reason for the dramatic change is the shots I have daily because of the blood clots they found when I was in the hospital mid-May. I am scheduled to receive them for 6 months-4 more. Life is full of surprises, isn't it? Beware of the "Doughnut Hole"!!!!!!
Flowers and pictures of flowers remind me of the many beautiful things in this world and in my life. One of which is you-your love, friendship, and prayers.
by John Gourley. Thanks, John.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Good Day to Feel So Good
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| The Graffs-Benjamin, Nathan, SE, Leigha, Suzanna,and Jake Gourley |
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