Today was pretty good. After all...it's hump-daaaaaay!
G-tube is getting less of an annoyance allowing me to sleep pretty good last night. I did try to put a protein drink down it last night before bed since I was pretty nauseous yesterday and didn't get the calories I should have. My mistake was that I let the weirdness mess with my head and I started to feel feint so I had to stop before finishing it. I think I'm going to wait until the nutritionist/nurse comes out and gives me a proper demonstration so I can put my concerns behind me.
I've also developed a rash around it. I'll save you the photos. Suffice it to say it's not normal. I do have certain skin allergies, mostly to adhesive bandages and certain tapes. I had a reaction to the tape they used to secure the gauze to the site after surgery but it wasn't touching the area that is now broken out. I showed one of my nurses Monday and again today who in turn had my radiation oncologist take a look at it. The nurse also called the GI department that did the surgery and they, like my doctor, just suggested I put some antibiotic ointment on it. My doctor said to try that for the next couple days and show him again on Friday.
I also stopped by my oncologist's office today and spoke with a nurse there about my nausea and the ringing in my ears. She spoke with my oncologist and they prescribed me another anti-nausea medication, so I'll try that. I've got to get on top of this to prevent further weight loss. I know I'm below 150 now. My nurse noticed my weight loss today too and said, "No more." I told her about the nausea but she said I just had to suck it down. Thing is I'm afraid if I do that I'll throw it up and if that happens it will be either incredibly painful because of the g-tube or it will dislodge the g-tube and I'll have to go back and get it reinserted, or both. So hopefully the new anti-nausea medicine will work and I can start eating normal, or at least somewhat normal.
Actually, speaking of nausea, today has been pretty good for that too. I woke up hungry so decided to have a bowel of cereal with strawberries. I was able to finish the berries but not the cereal. Then after radiation I was pretty nauseous. I asked my radiation oncologist and radiation tech about nausea after radiation and they said radiation shouldn't cause nausea. So afterwards, on the way to work, I ate a handful of saltine crackers and drank water and felt pretty good. For lunch I had some curry chicken and rice and a bunch of fruit (strawberries, kiwi, raspberries) I packed for lunch. All of which I had little to no problem eating. I did try to add some carrots to the mix for lunch, but that was too much so I had to stop.
On the way home I was listening to the Star Wars Force Awakens audio book. I got to the place where Rey and Finn meet Han Solo for the first time. That got me thinking of Ham Salad from Space Balls which gave me cravings for macaroni salad. So on the way home I picked up some macaroni salad and chicken sausage. Unfortunately when I was able to finally enjoy it at home it wasn't as good as I imagined it being, but I was able to eat most of it which is a win.
As for the ringing in my ears it's been happening at various, annoying levels ever since my last chemo treatment. I mentioned it to my oncologist twice and then again today to the nurse. They both asked if I have experienced any other changes in hearing or pain which I haven't. So they just suggested I monitor it and let them know if it gets worse. However, the nurse said it could last a week or so. If it's still happening by the time I get my next treatment they'll probably make an adjustment.
Those are the worst things I've experienced so far. Aside from that I'm starting to have some dryness in my mouth and I'm feeling some tightness on the right side of my neck. I'm not sure if that's from the radiation or the scar from my neck dissection.
I've just trying to stay focused on the end game today and distracting myself with work and making plans for the future. My older son just bought a motorcycle and I think of all the fun we'll have riding together after all this is over. Amazing how distractions can take your mind off the crap you're traveling through.
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