• Posted by Maria on May 31, 2008 at 1:35 am

    Hello, haven’t been posting for a while, I have been reading and trying to keep up to date. Been thinking about my friends here and hope all is well.

    I have been dealing with excessive fatigue due to the chemo and it just seems that I was unlucky enough to suffer quite a few other side effects too, dealing with day to day issues was becoming quite an effort.

    I seen my Oncologist last Friday and he thought I was doing remarkably well! My last chemo was due Tuesday. I came down with a fever on Monday and was admitted to the hospital. MD Anderson is great, they arrange for you to check in at ER and within 15 minutes I was taken up to the Ward. They were on the case immediately, had a chest X ray at 3 am, all kinds of other tests before that. Was dx with a ‘serious’ bladder infection causing my fever. Low on platelets and potassium, had blood transfusion of 4 units and 48 hours IV antibiotics. Was discharged yesterday and feel much better today.

    My Oncologist said no more chemo. Really pleased that is over and done with! So really I only missed two chemo sessions, I hope this will not have a detrimental effect.

    Due CT scan next week and my chest x ray a few days ago was clear. Will see the Oncologist the following week to evaluate CT scan ……… my last CT scan showed the tumor was contained within the bladder.

    Now I am anxious to start next phase of my journey, I am waiting for an appointment with my surgeon to set a date for RC. No doubt I will be back with questions.

    It has been 8 months since my dx so I am anxious to get the surgery over and done and with and geton with my life cancer free! I am praying for a good outcome.

    newbie08 replied 16 years, 8 months ago 8 Members · 8 Replies
  • 8 Replies
  • Newbie08's avatar

    Newbie08

    Member
    June 9, 2008 at 6:01 pm

    Hi Maria,

    Congrads on finishing your chemo, I’m sure everyone in your life is very proud of you ;)

    Keep us posted, your in my thoughts xx

  • leigh's avatar

    leigh

    Member
    June 9, 2008 at 2:55 pm

    Dear Maria,

    I am so pleased you have the chemo out the way…

    Wishing you a relaxing time to build up your strength ready for RC…

    Best Wishes..

    Leigh


    Leigh, 39
    Dx July 2007
    TURBT July 2007
    RC/Neobladder ,Studer Pouch, September 2007
    Erasmus Centrum Rotterdam
    TNM Classification: pT4 N2 Mo
    4 cycles aduvant chemo Gemzar & Cisplatinum
  • N3qtrtme's avatar

    N3qtrtme

    Member
    June 4, 2008 at 2:16 pm

    Maria,

    I had my R/C done at MD Anderson last year and they were WONDERFUL… treated me like a “princess”, as my husband says. He’s going through treatment for lung cancer down there at the moment and apparently is not happy that he’s not being treated like a “princess”, too.

    I had Dr. Randall Millican for oncology and Dr. Barton Grossman for surgery. Who do you have? We’ve spent a lot of time in the ER with my husband and you are right, they are GREAT!

    The docs gave me about a month-long break between the chemo and the surgery, which was nice. It gave me a bit of time to feel a bit more normal. As we found out though, my energy levels were still VERY low. My husband treated me to a “Congrats for Getting Through Chemo” trip to Key West 2 weeks before surgery and I ended up spending most of the trip sleeping in the hotel room. In hindsight, we’d have been better off planning the trip after I had recovered from the surgery. Oh, well. It was still nice to get away!

    You have a great attitute! It will all be over before you know it and life will be back to normal (for the most part) in just a couple of months after your surgery. If you need anything or have any questions, let me know. We’re at MD Anderson pretty regularly these days, so maybe we could meet up and chat?

    Best of luck,
    Christine


    Christine Springfield
    T3/G3 – Squamous Cell/Transitional Cell Carcinomas
    RC w/Studer Pouch 4/25/07
  • melodie's avatar

    melodie

    Member
    June 2, 2008 at 6:41 pm

    Maria,

    FINALLY! What great news to hear you are over with the chemo treatment! I have heard that some find the chemo much harder on them than the surgery…maybe this will be the case for you. Sounds like MD Anderson treated you very well so I am hoping that is where you are going for your surgery. When I finished chemo, I had planned to take a little trip but my doctor scheduled me for two weeks later. I wanted more time off for good behavior but didn’t get it. I guess it was just as well as I had limited time to be nervous about it. I’ll be looking to see what date they schedule you…rest and get your strength back…chemo is exhausting. Take care. hugs. Melodie


    Melodie, Indy Pouch, U.W.Medical Center, Seattle, Dr. Paul H. Lange & Jonathan L. Wright
  • harry-s's avatar

    harry-s

    Member
    May 31, 2008 at 9:29 pm

    So glad you are done with the chemo and getting ready for the RC. Sorry to hear that you ended up in the hospital with the infection…but the positive thing is being done with the chemo! Glad you are feeling better after the transfusions and IV antibiotics…I’m sure you will gain more strength after your body recovers from chemo…although it did take a while for Harry to feel better…it is a daily process. Just don’t get discouraged…look at the end result – being cancer free!! :) Continued prayers coming your way. Margot

  • tate's avatar

    tate

    Member
    May 31, 2008 at 4:39 pm

    Hi Maria,
    Please know that we are all praying for you to have “a good outcome”

    (((hugs)))
    Tate

  • 's avatar

    Guest
    May 31, 2008 at 2:19 pm

    Maria I am glad to hear you are done with your chemo and got over that bump towards the end with that infection. I got done my chemo last 4/20/07 and my RC was scheduled for 6/20/07 which was nice gave me a good break to spend time with my family. My birthday, and fathers day all fell in that period and just to be away from the hospital was great in itself like it was my second home. I wish you the best when your surgery comes up let me know when it is. Joe ;)

  • 's avatar

    Guest
    May 31, 2008 at 2:58 am

    Hooray Maria…..Phase 1 out of the way….onward and upward??….Hope you start feeling more energetic in the next week. Keep us informed….Pat

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