When, I posted my last blog update, I spoke about how my PICC line had been irritating me. I even wrote "I really cant complain, I have had it pretty easy with side effects so far so its about damn time that something happens". Well I should have kept my mouth shut! Friday , August 18, about a week after my last chemo, I had my regular dressing change where a home care nurse comes and cleans it and flushes my line. Unfortunately, with this dressing change my skin was not completely dry when the new dressing went back on. By Saturday my arm was covered in itchy hives. By Sunday morning, the hives were worse and the area on my arm where the PICC line entered my arm looked very infected. I also wasn't feeling the greatest and noticed that my temperature was higher than normal. I check my temperature twice a day on a regular basis and it is usually around 36.6 degrees Celsius. This time my temperature was around 37.7-37.8. Once my temperature hits 38 degrees, I have to go to the emergency room immediately. Although I wasn't having a fever, my family and I thought it was best to head up to the hospital. After 7 long hours at Cobourg Hospital, my PICC line was removed from my right arm. Fortunately there was no blood infection, although it was determined that there was a small infection from my PICC line so they prescribed me antibiotics.
Monday morning, I was back to the hospital to get my PICC line reinserted and this time into my left arm. The new PICC went in with no issues. On Wednesday August 23rd, I had my Pre-chemo doctors appointment. By then my new PICC line wasn't infected but I had developed another rash from the dressing. The Doctor explained that It may not necessarily mean I have an allergy to the dressings but because one of the chemo drugs I am receiving (Dacarbazine) targets my immune system, I am more susceptible to infections as well as skin irritations. Because of this drug, I am also having a hard time getting rid of the previous hives and rashes on my body because my immune system is so low. Thankfully, the nurses experimented with a few different dressings and I think I've found one that is less irritating, and I was able to receive my 5th Chemo on Thursday. Because my arm still has some irritations, I did talk to the nurses about having my line out permanently and having to have an IV in every time. The down side to having it out is that the time for my chemo will go from approximately an hour and and half to over 3 hrs. I will also have sore muscle pain where the injection site is. However; this is still an option for me, if the PICC line ends up being too uncomfortable for me. Other side effects that I have been having since Chemo #5, on Thursday is tiredness and more hair loss. My scalp has become really sore and red which is normal. The nurses recommended Baby Shampoo as it is less harsh on my scalp. In other posts, I have talked about how I have a lot of energy right after chemo and then crash 5 days later. This time I noticed a huge decrease in my energy levels. The night after my chemo, I felt extremely tired and everyday since then has been tiring. But just because I'm tired doesn't mean I'm not able to do things. I will let people know when I'm too tired but I'll also let people know when I'm doing Ok and want to do something. An upside to this week is that at the end of September, If my body allows me to, I'll be going camping with other young adults with cancer in Quebec. While I was at Cobourg Hospital one of the nurses handed me a flyer for a foundation called "On the Tip of the Toes". Its basically a getaway adventure for young adults ages 18- 29 living with cancer to get out of the house and meet with people who are going through similar situations. Once I heard of this opportunity, I applied online. The next day I got a call. All I have to do is basically get the "OK" from my doctor and have a blood test done the week before to make sure I'm good to go. The good thing about this camping adventure is that I will be with people with similar levels of energy, so it hopefully wont tire me out too much. There is also a nurse, doctor and social worker who will be with us at all times. I am looking forward to this amazing opportunity. This week I have many upcoming visits! Tomorrow, I hope to see my old roommate Amy and this coming weekend Holly will be staying with me before she heads back to the Rock for school! I am so blessed to have everyone coming to visit! Another thing I am so thankful to have the encouragement and support from my friends. Being still so young, I can't imagine having a friend go through this. For my friends and I, this has become a new journey for all of us and to know I'm not walking through this without them is so very touching. A few of my friends that I call my "Rats" will be walking in the "Light the Night Walk" in St. John's on September 23rd in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada. At the end of this "journey", I plan to live a long healthy life. I am fortunate that Hodgkin's Lymphoma has an approximate survival rate of 90-95%. However, this would not be possible if it wasn't for the money raised from these types of fundraisers, going to cancer research. Please help support my "Rats" in this walk as they will be helping so many people just like me battling blood cancers. To donate, please follow this link: https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/TeamFundraisingPage.aspx?teamID=768105&langPref=en-CA
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This past week I have been crazy busy! Last Thursday I finished Chemo #4! I am now half way through chemotherapy! In my last post, I talked about how my friend Jen wouldn't be able to visit, well she came and we had a wonderful visit! For once, plans changed for the better. Jen arrived the day of my 4th Chemo so it was nice to celebrate the halfway mark with one of my best friends. We didn't do much but just being able to spend time and chat with each other means so much. This week, I also traveled to Kingston to see my brother while he was at camp. While I was there I reconnected with so many old camp friends. It was such a pleasure seeing everyone and is something that I wouldn't have been able to do if I wasn't here in Ontario this summer. I hope to see more people throughout the year for visits! Just after experiencing Chemo #4, I noticed that my hair was starting to shed more and more. Most people wouldn't notice my hair loss but myself and my family could start to notice especially when they would come across my hair all over the house. I found my pony tail becoming thinner and my bun of hair was so tiny. I also noticed that my scalp was becoming sore, especially at night and when it was in a bun. So this week I decided to chop some locks off, and rock a bob. I really love having short hair even though I look 12 now. But on the bright side, I can now receive child discounts! My hair is still shedding but its so much easier to control now that its shorter. I have a feeling a big "shave" is coming soon but in the mean time ill enjoy my bob! After Chemo #4, I've noticed my ability to keep up with others is declining. I get tired more often and my muscles are becoming more sore. My 5th day after chemo is still my worst day but the ability to come out of my worst day is decreasing. I've been battling a cold the past few days and it has really taken a toll on me. I used to be able to do normal things and even out do myself and then just pay for it the next day and be over it but now the effects are lasting longer. Where my PICC line is on my arm, there is a bandage holding it in place. Unfortunately I've developed a rash from the bandage and its becoming extremely itchy. I'm hoping its just irritation and nothing serious. I really cant complain, I have had it pretty easy with side effects so far so its about damn time that something happens. Thursday is Chemo #5, and I'm hoping I can get rid of this nasty cold so i'm able to handle the chemotherapy. This past week was so much fun reconnecting with everyone. It keeps me upbeat and positive, and I can't wait for the visits from friends that are coming up in the next few weeks! This week is Chemo #4, which means I'll be halfway through Chemo! Who hoo! Recently I've thought about how much everything has changed. When I was first diagnosed, there were many cries and it felt like I was walking in the dark. It was the unknown that made me feel so insecure. It was also the fact of moving back in with my parents would be a change. Now its routine and I know what to expect. When I first started chemo, I was prepared for the worst. I thought I would be violently sick and have hair loss immediately. So far, so good! However; since Chemo #3, my hair has been shedding more and more. No one can tell because it still looks very full but when I brush my hair or even just put my hands through my hair, more hair falls out every day, but not in clumps like I thought it would. Because I don't know how long I have until it all comes out, I decided to have some fun. I had my hair dyed blue and purple at the ends. I figured I might as well have fun with it while I still have it. I would never colour my hair on any other occasion so I might as well take this situation and turn it positive. I've been blessed to have my locks so far into the process and in a way I'm looking forward to having no hair. First of all, it's less of a hassle in the morning and I think it will teach me a valuable lesson in that looks aren't everything. I've also heard of people putting henna on their scalp and having a beautiful design on their beautiful bald head, and I can't wait to experience that too.
. When I first told people I had cancer, there were a lot of "I am so sorry" and honestly this doesn't change me at all. Yes, I've done many things that I wouldn't have done otherwise like painting and writing but I think it just brings out talents and characteristics that I've always had but never had a chance to show others and myself that I had them. Now because of this blog, I get a lot of people saying saying they admire my positivity. Well, in my eyes there's no option. It's either pick yourself up and get on with things or don't fight and not fighting is not an option. This coming week a friend was supposed to come visit but due to her own health concerns her trip was pushed back till she's better. At first I was upset just because I was so looking forward to seeing her but I want her to be as healthy as possible so when we are together we can have a great memorable time. Then I thought to myself of course nothing goes as planned because it never does. On the upside she will be coming at some point in the summer and I can't wait to be reunited. As well I found out my old roommate is also coming to Ontario at the end of the month and will be fitting in a visit to see me. I then realized in life there is always give and take and you always have to look at the silver lining in every situation. You can't be a true sailor if it's always smooth sailing! |
Author: Katie BarkerJust an average Sailor who battled Cancer and won! Archives
August 2018
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