Chemo #4

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Yesterday, I had my fourth chemo treatment. 

I met with Dr. Feiner and we basically started with a quick exam.  He said that everything was looking pretty good and we scheduled another PET/CT scan for next week.  We'll use this scan to determine if we really can stop chemo or I will need more treatments.  We also got the ball rolling on the radiation treatments, so we're now looking at starting those in two weeks.  I hope to have a better idea of what my radiation schedule is so I can book my tickets to Phoenix.  And once the PET scan is done and the results are in, I can start booking my tickets to other parts of the country too. 

As with my second one, my blood count was low again, but they gave me a booster shot.  Things were a bit different when I got home.  As soon as I stepped in the door, I really started shivering uncontrollably.  I was feeling really cold.  I had to step back outside in the sun to warm up.  But once I came back in, I was cold again.  So, I went downstairs put on some blankets and the heater.  Then all of a sudden, I was really hot.  I took a temperature and I was at 100.8.  An hour later, I was at 102.  This was the first time I had a fever after the chemo.  Of course, my parents were freaking out a little, so we called the doctor to get some info.  I also asked a friend of mine for other info.  Tylenol every four hours.  That did the trick, along with drinking alot of gatorade and water, and with putting on shorts and a t-shirt to make the fever break faster.  It was not a pleasant experience. 

I guess the fever took over the nausea, because I didn't get any of that.  However, the heart burn/acid reflux came last night.  Once that hit, I couldn't go back to sleep.  So, here I am a bit sleep deprived.

I'm so glad that this part of the process is potentially done.  I am confident that it is done, but I don't want to count the chickens before they hatch.  Dr. Feiner and I talked about getting the port removed soon, but I first think I should wait till the PET scan.  I may go ahead and get it taken out while my parents are around so I have someone to take care of me which I recuperate.  The only thing is that if I keep it, there's a maintenance issue where I have to get it flushed out every month.  And with the travelling I want to do, I'm not sure if it's worth it.  If I do go into remission, they can always put it back in.  And we're talking about a while from now anyways. 

Today is a new day.  Still don't feel 100%.  I'm going to be extra cautious this week so that my appointments go well.  Cross your fingers.


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