Not really, just seemed that way. I got my Neulasta shot as directed on Monday February 8th. As you may know by now, Neulasta kicks the living daylights out of me. Far worse than the chemo. The week is plagued with a constant temperature, low but constant. Extreme fatigue accentuated by bone aches that seem to travel through the body before settling somewhere, like the lower back. The process is over within a week, usually resulting in boundless energy.
Then came the cold. Started on Thursday last, came into full force on Friday relaying me to the bed on a continual basis. Temperatures fluctuating wildly between normal at C36.5 right up to C38.2 (F100.7 at its zenith). This went on for days until Janet insisted we go to emergency. Fo’ad was here for the week, I had all kinds of plans for us, all for naught. He and Barbara kept themselves busy while I lay on the couch pretending to be alive.
The emergency staff put us in isolation. They wore the yellow gowns and gloves and masks. I felt pretty safe from whatever disease they might have been carrying. Blood was taken, vitals signs taken twice, once in triage which showed my temperature to be normal, the second one showing some level of temperature. A chest X Ray was also de rigueur, just to make sure there was nothing in there, since they seemed to hear some sort of stuff lurking in the interior.
The blood came back clean with a high white blood cell count. Thank you Neulasta. The chest X Rays came back clean as a whistle. I have never quite figured out why we consider whistles to be so clean after spending time collecting the spit of the blower. But there you go, lungs were clean. 3.5 hours later we are headed home. Viral infection. Drink lots of liquids. Call your oncologist tomorrow.
Did I forget to mention that their computers were down? All night. Everything had to be done the old fashioned way, paper, phones, conversations. Hence the 3.5 hours.
I felt very bad for my brother who had driven all the way here only to find me in a state of total bed riddeness. He fellt bad that I felt bad, and the circle continues.
Fetneh also came by and stayed overnight. Had a wonderful time with her, as always.
I left a message for Dr. Hedley who called to get a picture of the situation. Chemo was a go as far as he was concerned. The major part of the cold should be over by Thursday.
Fo’ad and Barbara left on Wednesday. No sense in sticking around with the sicko. They had planned to return on Wednesday all along. Fo’ad had mentioned the possibility of stayin an extra day, if it would make a difference. Did not seem to make any sense. Off they go.
I woke up Thursday morning as if the previous few days had never happened. No temperature, slight cough, full of energy. Bring on the chemo.
As you might guess, chemo has become very routine. Walked in all alone. Janet came to pick me up at the end. I watched the nurses going to and fro at a brisk pace smiling and cheering the patients along. Have I mentioned how wonderful these nurses are? Truly amazing.
We went out for dinner last night, for no other reason than to get me out of the house. I went to the market in the morning. Came home and went straight to bed. The night out was welcome.
C’est tout pour cette semaine. A bientot.
