Pre and Post Surgery

Yesterday I had a small surgical procedure, that was my eighth one this year. Although the procedure was something minor, each time I have to go into the operating room, or under anasthesia. I still get nervous each time. I usually am not nervous about he actual surgery, but more going under anasthesia. While going under, you feel as though you're losing control. Having experienced it so many times you not only get used it, but some how come to like it. I know that sounds crazy, but one of my friends who as gone under anasthesia probably more times than I have says he likes it as well. People like my mom and grandmother who have had a  few surgeries don't like the feeling of it at all, so I guess it depends on the person.


Then there is the pain when you wake up. Even though they tell you might be in pain, you are still not prepared for how much it hurts (depending on how invasive the surgery is), luckily they I have IV pain meds that just knock you out. The first few days our the hardest. Sometimes you feel as though the pain is worse than it was before the surgery, but it is a different kind of pain. For me, what helps the best , is knowing that the surgery is going to help me in the long run. Keeping this in mind, pushing through the pain, forcing your self to get up and move around, and taking your pain medication so that you don't let the pain get ahead of you will help you make a fast and safe recovery.


Joyful Love
          &
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta

Clots and Chemo

So yesterday I went for my second dose of chemo, of course it was so much fun sitting in a chair from 9:00 AM to about 4:00 PM and then coming home with a horrible headache and throwing up, and feeling as though I have a terrible case of the flu. Waking up today I didn't feel much better, except for the headache being gone, I'm still very nauseous and achy. I hate the fact that after every chemo I have to take a pump home full of fluids and a medication called Mesna that helps protect my bladder and kidneys from getting damaged by the chemo. We will hopefully know maybe by month 3 or after the third treatment whether or not the treatment is working. 


Now, the issue of what is going on with blood clot that is in the jugular vein in my neck and extends all the way to the brachial vein. Even after being on the anticoagulants for a little over a month the clot shows now signs of getting smaller. Because of what the latest imaging shows I had to go on two blood thinners at the same time, one being a shot and the other being a pill. I developed horrible bruises from the shots so my doctor took me off of them and increased the dosage of the blood thinner pill I am taking. Hopefully this will help the clot go down. The doctor says that busting the clot directly with clot busting medicine is to risky with my history, so that probably will not be done, but who knows. As for now I am just trying to take each day one day at a time and get through chemo and all the joys that comes with it. I know with my family and God, I can get through this.


Joyful Love
         &
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta

Side Effects

The first week after chemo was harder than what I had expected. I had deal with almost constant nausea and vomiting, and aching all over, feeling as though I had the flu. I've had to watch what I eat to making sure I don't eat anything that makes me sick. Luckily, I have medication that helps me get through and deal with the side effects. My hair started to come out, so I shaved it all off. It will be interesting to see if more will come out later. Im trying to just learn how to deal with feeling this way after chemo, because I will have to deal with it for the next 18 months. I know that I have many people supporting me through this process, and knowing that keeps me fighting. No matter how hard it is, how bad I feel, I'm never going to stop fighting and give up. 


Joyful Love
         &
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta

First Chemo

Yesterday was my first dose of chemotherapy, I pretty much slept through it and left feeling pretty blah. I've had some nausea and vomiting these past two days, and the doctor said I would start feeling better around week 3, and hopedully sooner. They say my hair will start falling out 5 to 7 days afterwards, and my counts will start to drop 7 to 10 days sfterwards as well. I'll be going back in 4 weeks for my second dose of chemo, which I think will be done in Austin. Now that I know what to expect from chemo I'm not as nervous and scared about. I hope this treatment will reak some benefits, which we should start to see around month 3. I know that God and my family will help me get through these next 18 months.


Joyful Love
         &
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta

Treatment Plan

Yesterday, I met with the Hematologist/Oncologist in San Antonio and my treatment plan was set up. I am doing 18 months of chemotherapy, with one IV drug (Cytoxan) and two oral chemotherapy medications. I go back to San Antonio on Tuesday for pre chemo hydration, and then on Wednesday get my first dose of Cytoxan. I then go every 4 weeks after that for more chemotherapy. I admit that I am nervous about everything, but am relieved that we can get started so quickly. The doctors say that at around 3 months we will be able to start seeing some effects if the drug is working. I know that God, my family and friends will help et me through this, and I will soon be on the road to recovery. 


Joyful Love
          &
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta

Discharge

Today was discharge day from the hospital, my family and I are so thrilled that I am out of the hospital and back home again. I still need to be on blood thinners for the blood clot in my vein, and I need to follow up with a hematologist to make sure my counts are good. I hope to be going to San Antonio within the next couple of weeks to talk to the the doctor about my chemo treatments, and hope to start chemo as soon as possible. Right now i am just trying to stay comfortable and manage my pain and am looking forward to starting treatment as soon as I can.


Joyful Love
          &
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta

Hospital Stay

Well, there has been so much that has happened since my last blog posting. Last Tuesday, the day after Labor Day, I went to the ER due to severe neck pain, and some swelling, along with a fever. We thought I had a virus and an inflamed lymphnode and so did the ER doctor. While in the ER they found that my port also wasn't working. They decided to admit me, and did a CT scan that night. The next day they told me that I had a blood clot in my jugular vain and fluid behind the clot. The news was given after a code was called because I had difficulty breathing because of the massive swelling in my neck. My port was taken out the same day as the news of the blood clot, as it probably was the culprit for the clot. I continued to have terrible pain and swelling, so late Friday afternoon I had surgery to remove the fluid. The doctor said their was a good deal of fluid, a lot of swelling, and the entire area looked "very angry". Since the surgery my ability to swallow and breathe has drastically improved. I am now able to eat solid foods and no longer need oxygen to aid in breathing. I will have to be on blood thinners for a long time they don't impair my ability to begin chemo, and the infectious disease doctors cleared me to start chemo in 10 days. I'm still on the PCA pump to help control my pain in my neck, but that is improving as well. I still have some swelling in my neck, and quite a bit of swelling in my left arm, which is the side that the clot is on, but hopefully it will resolve soon. i'm hoping to be able to go home soon, and then start my chemotherapy treatment. Were not sure if the HiCy treatment is still what the plan is, as we may go back to 18 months of chemo, but I will hopefully no more soon. I will continue to post on my progress and give updates. Your thoughts, prayers, and well wishes are greatly appreciated!!!!


Joyful Love
          &
Blessings In The Lord
Alexandra K. Acosta