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Staying strong and facing an uncertain /certain future
Caregivers | Last Active: Jun 22, 2023 | Replies (60)Comment receiving replies
Good afternoon! I hope that you found your boots, socks, and warm jacket. Oh my. We lived in what we call "the high country" of Arizona for 25 years. Just outside of Flagstaff. Ugggh. We do not miss that snow and cold, cold, cold at all. We headed "down the hill" to a little lower elevation and the snow here is like child's play. Yippee! Summer's are warmer, but that's all good.
Well, Mr. Ray of Sunshine is still smiling, but he is pooped. As he explained it the day before yesterday - he is tired, weak, and depleted. Feeling better today. Still getting to his shop, just a little bit slower and for less time. I kept really good notes last month...well, partially. That's when Sunshine got annoyed at my temperature taking and I quit writing things down. That'll show him. Ha!! But, based on the notes that I did keep, he got tired a day earlier this month and I'm thinking that might be a trend? I was using the nadir formula for tiredness, etc. but he's in it a little sooner than advertised.
I wanted to get a little more specific on Val's blood work. It was all great because nobody mentioned otherwise, except for his chemo nurse. All values in his Extended Metabolic/Electrolyte panel were just right except for his BUN (this is what the chemo nurse mentioned) high is 24.0 and his was 24.5. The PA did not mention it. Val is also a type 11 diabetic, well controlled on metformin. His Estimated GFR is 57 and shows low, but has been that way for a number of years. Protein 5.9 (low is 6.3) He is back to drinking his protein drink. So strange - the kidneys get annoyed, the body needs protein, but I'm not sure the kidneys like the protein. His CBC was excellent except for his Lymphocytes at 0.55 (love is 0.95) and his Monocytes were above the .081 high value. Sooo.....because the PA said everything was fine and treatment commenced - I'm thinking it's ok.
Next round the first week of April. As Val says "just when he will start feeling good again......". You know the drill!
You're funny, extremely knowledgeable, and wise words of wisdom are always appreciated. I will wait with baited breath.....
Stay warm and stay out of the white, fluffy stuff!!!
Sheri
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The most difficult adjustment getting back into a winter climate was the trip to the grocery store! Hah, I know…first world problem. But we’re so spoiled with walking out of the store in shorts and Ts, feeling warm breezes and squinting from the bright sunshine! Yesterday’s trip required warm jackets, mittens and sock hats…whine whine. The sun was bright though so that was a happy event. ☺️
I’m in awe of your note keeping! My husband did that for me too…and though Val may not appreciate your efforts, those stats are vital to your being able to track his progress and trends.
From my experience with chemo, each month did get progressively a bit more difficult in bouncing back. That’s because the body/blood counts don’t completely return to normal in 28 days. So the starting point for the next round of chemo is at a lower level of blood values. After the final dose of chemo, that will all start to reverse and Val eventually should return to his robust health!
Unfortunately, until that happens, Mr Sunshine will be dragging his biscuits for a couple of months. It’s really encouraging to hear that he is still heading out to his shop daily and keeping up with a routine. I just feel that’s so important to the health of the psyche and the body…to keep moving and propelling forward! 🎶Don’t Stop Thinkin’ About Tomorrow🎶 Fleetwood Mac. ☺️
His numbers are actually pretty good. My GFR runs around 51 now and we are all thrilled to have it up that high after taking some pretty big hits down into the lower 20s. Keep up with the water intake to flush toxins and to keep those kidneys flowing. Kidneys don’t like excess protein, so there is a balance between what’s too much and not enough. As long as he’s having his routine blood work that will be monitored anyway, so unless he’s being told otherwise it’s really important to keep that protein level up.
So keep hanging in there, kids! This will be over before you know it and he’ll be back out in the desert tearing up the dirt😄
I have to know…what’s Val’s artistic endeavor that has him heading out to the shop daily? And besides, being the Queen of Temperature Taking, what do you enjoy doing for past time?