This week is my third week of no chemo for the first cycle. Felt pretty good, the fatigue is not as prevalent now as I was able to work three days last week and plan to work four days this upcoming week. Friday is the lab work for this week and I also meet with the doctor for the first time in about a month to see where we are at. Last weeks lab resulted in me getting an infusion of blood, but no platelets. I also had several tests done of heart and lungs just to make sure there are no other outstanding issues.
My three brothers have all gotten their blood samples in. It will take several weeks to have them “typed” to see if they are a match.
I went back to work Monday, August 23 for the first time in about a month. I had been working from home for the past month depending how I felt and working around appointments. Those of you who work off shifts (I worked 3rd shift for about 2 1/2 years when I first started at Maritz) know that it is easy to get “left out” on what is going on at work. The same thing happens when you work from home for a long time…you are there..but you are not there. Hopefully I can get into work a few days a week going forward. The biggest variable is fatigue as I can’t figure out why one day I am fine, and the next day I am really tired even though I have not had any treatments for several days.
Right now I am in second of three weeks of no chemo. I have lab work once a week, and this week it is Thursday. They will also do some other tests to make sure I have no other health issues (Heart and Lung tests, X-Ray). Last week they took 15 viles of blood for testing. (Don’t worry, they do not stick me 15 times, they stick a needle in once then keep changing out viles). The last “Explanation of Benefits” letter I got said each test (one per vile) is $218….glad I have health insurance!
That’s it for now. As I said before, I am not going to be putting out updates every day but feel free to email me directly if you want to know more.
Completed the first round of five-day chemotherapy Sunday, August 15. So far, I have not had any side effects, but everyone keeps saying that I will start feeling fatigue as this week goes on. I also continue to have to have some muscle stiffness in neck and back if I work on computer too much 😦 This week I should get my schedule for the next month. They have already started the process to check if my three older brothers will be stem cell matches.
Thanks to everyone who has sent me personal notes and cards. You can send email’s directly to jim.schmitz@sbcglobal.net if you don’t want to comment here on WordPress.
Work has been good in letting me have a lot of down time since lately I have only been able to actually sign in and do work for a few hours a week. I would like to give a big shout out to my boss Ron Hunsaker and our Department Administrative Jean McFerron for getting the word out and keeping people informed at Maritz.
The baseball Cardinals have continued their inconsistent play. Just when it looks like they are going to go on a tear, they lose two out of three to the Cubs. But they still have time to get it together, maybe they need to have another brawl!
Three weeks off chemo treatment. I will have to get lab work once a week still but should be a little calmer for the next few weeks.