Chemo number eight
January 23, 2001

I went in for my doctor's appointment first. I told him about some chest pain I've been having. Breathing in all the way makes me want to cough. Doing more physical activity than normal (i.e. any physical activity) enhances this problem. SO he told me to get a chest X-ray and another pulmonary function test (I did one between my first and second chemos).

I asked at my last appointment when I'd do my CT Scan and he told me that I didn't need to think about that since it was too early and that I'd get it done when it was necessary but didn't give me any idea when that would be. He asked me at this appointment if I had my CT Scan booked yet. What? But apparently I should get my CT Scan soon and that will tell him if I need 6 or 8 months of chemo. If 6, I have only 4 more chemos. If 8, I have 8 more chemos.

Then I went to get my x-ray and lung tests. The X rays came back fine. The pulmonary function test was harder to do this time since I wanted to cough all over the place and that was shown in the results. So the next move is to see a respiratory specialist or technician or something. A guy who looks at my lungs some more. One possibility is pulmonary fibrosis caused by the Bleomycin. Woo! If that's the case, they'll cut out the bleomycin for the remaining chemos. Also it could be becuase I never do anything requiring much physical effort so my lungs are deciding I don't really need them anyway so why bother functioning properly. I don't know if that's a real possibility but it sure makes sense. I've felt fine when I snowboard and I don't do much of anything else so there's no cause for concern yet.

Then I went to chemo (late) and that went fine. Just over two hours. I didn't get a fever last night (chemo night) so I was impressed with that. I really don't want to go to the emergency room again.

Today (day one post chemo), I feel pretty good. Just tired but not too pukey. I'm impressed.

I noticed I get some weird nausea the day before chemo now. Anticipatory nausea or something. The thought of IV bags makes me feel sick and so does the smell of the blankets they use in the chemo room and the smell of the tape and the alcohol. Gross.

The family is going to Vermont for the weekend next weekend. I'll snowboard and just generally forget about everything for a bit. It'll be nice. I'm getting close to the end now. I can't wait. I'm excited about having my hair grow back. I'm excited about going more than 2 weeks without seeing a hospital or doctor. I hope. I can't wait.