we went to hospital for my chemo appointment and where my nurse for the day was ridiculously well informed and helpful as she'd been a dental nurse for several years earlier in her career. She explained it was all probably caused by pressure on a particular nerve in the jaw. We went ahead with chemo which only took an hour and a half (a short day is a good day). During that time my onc doc came by to check out what was happening. He agreed with the nurse, but couldn't say for sure what was putting the pressure on the nerve, but knowing my luck and history and situation it is probably connected to my cancer. So maybe a new site. Trying not to dwell on that possibility and its implications though.
After chemo we went down to imaging and I had the xray of my jaw as well as the chest xray we were going to get next week anyway. By this point I was becoming increasingly sore in my back which was all quite strange. The rather unpleasant pain in my jaw and head was being managed by the hydro, yet my back was suddenly bad enough to make me really quite uncomfortable. This does suggest that its nerve pain which doesn't respond to opiates as well.
The palliative care people were called and my junistar (long acting hydro) was put up 8mg and permission was given for mum to give me a subcutaneous injection of short acting hydro. This hits harder and faster than oral and is very helpful with getting some control. I dont love mum doing it, feels weird, but its better than waiting an hour or so for someone to get here for a 5 minute procedure which someone here could do fine anyway.
So far I'm not getting any nausea or anything from the chemo yet which is a relief. Even more so now I have this back pain. Nothing quite like vomming when in intense nerve pain. Fatigue is really beginning to hit now so I might leave it at that. Oh, and also apologise for what was apparently very... creative grammer and spelling in this morning's post - you see I was typing it on my iphone and as usual it didn't occur to me to proof read my post. Hopefully it all made sense, and hopefully I wont spend the night waking every hour to take more breakthrough pain to keep on top. Sigh. And it had been such a good week. So exhausted. And I'm only going to get worse over the next few days.
Sorry to hear this :(
ReplyDeleteAs someone else said yesterday: (((HUGS)))
- Penny
And more gentle hugs from the west. We are all thinking of you and keeping fingers (and everything else) crossed for you, Katie. So good that Mum knows how to give injections...I'm sure she has given hundreds during her career...and if the relief is quick, I am sure you are happy with your Mum doing it for you.
ReplyDeleteIs there a serendipity in the nurse with a hidden dental past, Katie? I guess with all the planned care there are surprises like that at unexpected times. I hope there is chance here and there to rest and, as you go along, renew your amazing will to work on each challenge. Fear not the typo or the creative wordy expression in your vernacular, or should that be idiom? It makes plenty sense — it does the job. That you did it on an iPhone shows focus aplenty; it's not an easier device for longer word crafting. We hope your pain is easing of itself and with Mum's help. I hope she bulk bills :-) To add to your other communicants, this one goes out with love to you and yours from the West and adjoining States and Territories. Stay warm.
ReplyDeleteHi to you all, It was good to talk to Dad today and hear the latest. I hope by now you are back home after your chemo and that you don't get sick with this round. Everything is crossed that this round, with different drugs, will have a very postive effect. I am not sure whether you have to stay in hospital overnight night or not, but hopefully you are home and tucked up in your own bed. Loving best wishes to you and everyone. xx
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