WEEK # 3

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

5:44 PM

                       This is week # 3. I have fared well thus far. I saw Dr. Monica(Physician)

 on Monday. She prescribed Trazadone 50mg for insomnia. 1-2 at bedtime. I have taken them for 2 nights now. First one, then the other:( This medication seems to agitate my RLS( Restless Leg Syndrome), can't win here. I did finally fall asleep at 3:30am this morning. Then, went back to bed at 6am after taking my meds & sending Wayne off to work. So, I have had a much better day today.

                      I had a blood draw at 11:00 am & met with Dr. Jen. By this time the group was to be randomly assigned either to have the dosage adjusted regularly, according to how much of the drug is in the system at the time of blood draws OR the dosage to remain stable throughout treatment.   I have been assigned to the group who's dosage does not change. Because my viral count was so high, I had hoped to be in the other group. God knows best.

                     I asked Dr. Jen if I could switch my injection day to Thursday. She said that was fine. I figure if I'm going to feel "spent" the following day & I'm NOT working right now, let it be on Friday rather than Saturday. This way it doesn't mess with the weekend, my only time to have fun with my sweetheart:) So, tomorrow night is the new injection night. Wayne has one more opportunity to stick me 'nice'. If he shoots it like a dart again, he's done ! I will inject myself next week! 

                  Went to my job today. The one that rehired me one month ago, knowing about the study & treatment.  Then, after  visually seeing how often my appointments at the hospital were, decided to have me resign. Well, I explained I feel great & my visits at UCH(University of Colorado Hospital) were going to be less frequent.  I could do my visits on my lunch hour, taking little or no time off work. I was asked "well when is your treatment done?"" Forty-eight weeks ",I replied. " well we'll keep you in mind at that time." how wonderful ! So, I am going to do my best to find part time work for now. I've been told, the busier  I stay, the better I will do through treatment. Besides, hate having to ask Wayne for everything:(

                 I'll be back here on Friday to let you know how injection 3 goes. Peace & God Bless.

2 Days after # 2

Sunday

9/26/10

Five hours into my second shot I felt as though I had walked into a field of ragweed ! Itchy eyes, stuffy nose, coughing and sneezing. This went on all night into Saturday. So I didn't sleep much Friday night. I was just blah all day Saturday. This morning ,I didn't fall asleep until after the sun came up. Only to have Wayne wake me a couple hours later saying "we're leaving for the game in 45 minutes." lol Baseball that is. I perked up pretty quickly. Wayne printed 8x10's of the pictures taken on photo day back in July. Several players & myself. When we got to the game I got Jeff Francis (pitcher) to sign the pic of he & I. So, even though they lost to San Fran, I got an autograph…nice:) I'm still feeling grateful that my symptoms are mild, for now. I have a doctors appt. tomorrow. Maybe I'll  get  something to help me sleep. Blood draw again on Wednesday. I'm considering switching the injections to a week night so our weekends won't always be screwed. May you all have a blessed week.

Week # 2

5:16 PM

My first week has been interesting. I have had some ups and some downs. Headache, joint aches, nausea and diarrhea. My head has been in a fog most of the time. I went Thursday morning for a blood draw. Later Dr. Jen called to tell me that my numbers looked good. My red & white blood cells are still holding their own. My liver test showed that my ALT and AST were NOT elevated. The copegus (tablets),I have taken on time, as scheduled every day. I'm still having trouble sleeping and my mood swings aren't real pleasant :(  Still, I have high hopes and faith that I can do this.

  I have lost my appetite somewhat & I have dropped 6 pounds in the last  week.  I got my haircut on Wednesday…SHORT!  I know, I know, it'll grow back. Right after I lose most of it! Lol.  I am just a couple of hours away from injection #2 of pegasys. Tonight and tomorrow will be interesting also. I'm not worried about a bad reaction as much as I do not anticipate the shot. The one I was given last week at the hospital, didn't hurt. This one might. See, I pissed Wayne off (big time)2 days ago. He is still not happy with me.  Now, I could give myself the shot, but, I think I owe it to him to get even. Lol. I truly love this man, and it breaks my heart to know I put him thru agony. I hope his love is strong enough to endure the entire treatment. See, I was a bitch BEFORE treatment started. God help me & PLEASE,GOD, Bless Wayne ! I'll be back in the next day or two to let you know how I feel.

First Day of Treatment

Friday, September 17, 2010

Wayne dropped me off before 7:00 a.m.  To the 12th floor(Executive suites) :)  Vitals taken, IV in, 3 pills & a shot. All by 7:30. For the next  12 hours they would draw blood 9 times, feed me lunch and dinner and monitor my vitals.

I felt a little nausea, head ache, flu like symptoms.  In all, I didn't think it was that bad. I had prepared myself for this horrible experience. It wasn't like that at all. Wayne had me home with a  chocolate milkshake  by 8:30p.m. I took my next dose of meds & slept well.

Today is Sunday Sept. 19, 2010

My third day on the Copegus and I must say, I don't feel too bad. I have flu-like symptoms off and on throughout the day, but really, I've been through worse.  Mentally I feel  great. I guess because I had set myself up for  bad reaction, that hasn't happened. At this time a great weight has been lifted from my mind.  Need my sleep. Good night and God bless.

My first appointment

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

10:00 AM

My first appointment was three hours long. Wayne met me there for support and to learn how to give me injections. I'm not ready to stick myself.  A lot of paperwork, blood work  and brain overload. This is what I was told to expect:

48 weeks of treatment

1000 mg Copegus  a day.  5-200 mg tablets(2 in the a.m., 3 in the p.m.)

180 ug/0-5 ml. 1 injection once a week(by my love)

2- 12 hour days spent at the hospital for research purposes(paid) :)

9-1 hour visits spread out over the next 48 weeks for blood draws & research

Side effects, lots of scary side effects!

These side effects almost scared me off. Though my faith in the Lord and my desire to grow old have me right here in the flight. I start treatment on Sept.17th with a 12 hour stay. This is done for two reasons; research, and to be sure I do not have a bad (first) reaction to the meds.