I officially have no voice. Over last weekend, I developed a severe sore throat. It was so painful and difficult to swallow, my throat was just raw. While I’ve had a lot of side effects the past 10 days, this occupied the majority of my frustration. I’m happy to say that it is finally improving! Yesterday, I put down a little food and tonight Meg made a wonderful Shepherd’s pie (she loves mashed potatoes). However, eating a solid meal is a big step for me.
Looking back over the past 10 days since chemotherapy, I’ve not eaten much. The first two days I was pretty nauseous. Over the weekend, my stomach started to return to normal, but my coughing was still ever present. I knew I wasn’t getting enough calories, so Meg would either create a homemade smoothie of yogurt and fresh strawberries in the morning or bring home a 1,000 calorie one from the Smoothie King. As a cancer survivor going through a tougher chemotherapy regime, you don’t want to lose weight. I could tell I wasn’t getting enough calories, so the smoothies were perfect and the only saving grace for my sore throat. In my opinion, last Tuesday they prescribed an inhaler to help with the cough and that’s what I believe initiated the sore throat. I’m not sure that’s 100% the reason, but a reaction like that can happen.
Meg has been wonderful. In my opinion, the past week has been probably one of the toughest weeks I’ve had in a long time and she has been there supporting every step of the way. The side effects, related or unrelated, just seemed to mount and come together all at one time this cycle. The only new experience for me was a little bit of neuropathy in my fingers. Neuropathy is tough to explain, but your fingers just feel a numb, tingling sensation like they are asleep. You have difficulty gripping objects and it can be somewhat painful at times, but the good news is that in only lasts a few days.
Anyways, I’m still exhausted but I’m feeling better today! It just looks like my voice is catching the aftermath. I really can’t get out more than a squeak.
This afternoon, I went for more blood-work. We will find out tomorrow if my white counts returned to decent levels. The results from earlier this week put them at critical levels. For those that don’t understand, your white blood count controls your immune system and ability to fight off infections. In simple terms, I can’t fight off normal germs from a hand shake or everyday contact. A simple cold could throw a person with a low white blood count in the hospital, so that’s why you have to be careful, avoid crowded places, and watch out for any sign of a fever. I’ve been doing well so far (knock on wood) and hopefully the counts tomorrow will gain some ground on the positive side.
I’m looking forward to the golf tournament on Sunday and seeing everybody. Putting on an event is a lot of work from a lot of people. I’m forever grateful once it all comes together and everybody is out there having a good time. In terms of my golf game, I haven’t practiced much lately, so I’m hoping my teammates come through and pull us to victory. I’ve played with the same 3 guys every year, my two best friends from college and former teammates Serge and Joe, and our 4th was our former assistant coach. Unfortunately, coach Diehl has a prior commitment, but we will represent him well and bring home the first place trophy!!
Looking back over the past 10 days since chemotherapy, I’ve not eaten much. The first two days I was pretty nauseous. Over the weekend, my stomach started to return to normal, but my coughing was still ever present. I knew I wasn’t getting enough calories, so Meg would either create a homemade smoothie of yogurt and fresh strawberries in the morning or bring home a 1,000 calorie one from the Smoothie King. As a cancer survivor going through a tougher chemotherapy regime, you don’t want to lose weight. I could tell I wasn’t getting enough calories, so the smoothies were perfect and the only saving grace for my sore throat. In my opinion, last Tuesday they prescribed an inhaler to help with the cough and that’s what I believe initiated the sore throat. I’m not sure that’s 100% the reason, but a reaction like that can happen.
Meg has been wonderful. In my opinion, the past week has been probably one of the toughest weeks I’ve had in a long time and she has been there supporting every step of the way. The side effects, related or unrelated, just seemed to mount and come together all at one time this cycle. The only new experience for me was a little bit of neuropathy in my fingers. Neuropathy is tough to explain, but your fingers just feel a numb, tingling sensation like they are asleep. You have difficulty gripping objects and it can be somewhat painful at times, but the good news is that in only lasts a few days.
Anyways, I’m still exhausted but I’m feeling better today! It just looks like my voice is catching the aftermath. I really can’t get out more than a squeak.
This afternoon, I went for more blood-work. We will find out tomorrow if my white counts returned to decent levels. The results from earlier this week put them at critical levels. For those that don’t understand, your white blood count controls your immune system and ability to fight off infections. In simple terms, I can’t fight off normal germs from a hand shake or everyday contact. A simple cold could throw a person with a low white blood count in the hospital, so that’s why you have to be careful, avoid crowded places, and watch out for any sign of a fever. I’ve been doing well so far (knock on wood) and hopefully the counts tomorrow will gain some ground on the positive side.
I’m looking forward to the golf tournament on Sunday and seeing everybody. Putting on an event is a lot of work from a lot of people. I’m forever grateful once it all comes together and everybody is out there having a good time. In terms of my golf game, I haven’t practiced much lately, so I’m hoping my teammates come through and pull us to victory. I’ve played with the same 3 guys every year, my two best friends from college and former teammates Serge and Joe, and our 4th was our former assistant coach. Unfortunately, coach Diehl has a prior commitment, but we will represent him well and bring home the first place trophy!!
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9 comments:
Weather looks good for Sunday!
Dan I hope your voice comes back, Im looking forward to hearing your woooo hoooos! on the golf course.
-stoney
We are glad to hear that you are getting your strength back for Sunday! You are constantly in our thoughts and prayers. Sam wishes he was able to compete in this year's tournament, but we are just too far down south. Regardless, we will be rooting for you in our minds - on and off the green.
-Emily and Sam
You've got a voice. It's this blog. Thanks for keeping it up, even when you're not feeling so well.
Carl
"A Pastor's Cancer Diary"
http://www.cewilton.blogspot.com
I'm happy to hear that you are starting to feel a little bit better, hopefully every day gets a little better now. I hope your counts have improved and that you and Meg are able to have fun this weekend. Meg, are you golfing??
Katie
To say that I play golf would be a generous statement. I dabble in it. But if I practiced, I know I would be better than Dan "4 putt" Waeger.
Dan- we are here on the 15th hole and we each got under par for the first time ever. Dont worry though, we won't let you down for TBCs. PS thanks for the balls and clubs. We couldn't have played today without them. We all love you so much!! Love Christy Brooke and Sarah aka CBS
Dan,
I would have been there but child-obligations just didn't make it possible. Hope the Waeger Cup was all that you wanted. I am praying for you every day and thinking about you more.
Stacia
hope the tournament went well!
I keep checking in to see how the tournament went...Meg were you a threat out there on the golf course?? I hope you are feeling stronger every day Dan. My thoughts and prayers are with you!
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