September 2024

My first appointment with my oncologist after the stem cell replacement treatment was mid-August.  It was simply weigh in, bloodwork and a quick review.  Everything looks good and he wanted me to agree to taking the Lenalidomide chemotherapy pill as a maintenance a.s.a.p.  I told him I would think about it.  More research to be done on this subject before I make a decision.

Day by day my strength is coming back.  I have started taking a heavy regime of vitamin supplements to get my immune system back up to where it was before the chemotherapy.  I have been reading a lot of books and doing a lot of internet research on many topics.  I not only have cancer, but I also have a spinal cord injury that goes along with it to consider.

By the end of August, I was able to do 20 minutes on my special exercise bike which is ideal for me to pull up to on my wheelchair and peddle.  Unfortunately, I have to wait for someone to be available to lock my feet in and take me off when I am done.  I usually wait for my granddaughter to come home from school and put me on the machine.  By mid-September, I have graduated to 25 minutes at which time my legs start to shake with neuropathy, so that is my current limit.  At the end of September, I have increased the tension and graduated to 30 minutes.

I have added small weights to legs and arms which I am incorporating into my daily bed exercises.  I have setbacks where I have to pull back on the weights.  Some days the exercises cause me fatigue.

I think the biggest disappointment that I have had this month is with the neuropathy in my legs.  It has gotten better at night since I added glucosamine to my supplement regime.  During the day, especially after I have had a good exercise routine workout, my legs feel swollen with the neuropathy.  Nothing I do seems to relax them, not even resting in bed.

My hair is just starting to grow back.  There is a little fuzz appearing on my bald head.  I have had perfect teeth all my life.  Almost no cavities.  I am still having boughts of incontinence that has been happening since the stem cell replacement. With aging, I have had receding gums, however, after the stem cell treatment and that large dose of chemotherapy (Melfalin), I have noticed that my gums are receding more and they are very sensitive.  My teeth are becoming more yellow/grey as opposed to white.  I researched the effects of chemotherapy on teeth and I am experiencing exactly what is to be expected.  I wish more of these after/side effects would have been discussed with me by the oncology team.  I will refer to it as a team, as the medical system bounces you around from one person to another, I believe this is done so that nobody gets attached to the patient and they can cover up their inconsistencies and mistakes.

On a positive note, I am very excited that I have found a used Batec Mini wheelchair power-drive.  I have not got it yet.  It is very expensive even as a used piece of equipment.  This device will allow me to go across the grass and along the gravel laneway.  I will be able to get out to the barn, the greenhouse, visit the cows and play with my dog.  I am very excited about this.  Will keep you posted.

Kathryn