Jonathan’s Medical Updates

"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" -Eph 5:19 Round 3 in Progress Third infusion was yesterday, the pump is with me and comes off tomorrow afternoon. This time Pepcid and Benadryl were administered in the premeds, which somewhat mitigated the side effects (we assume) of oxaliplatin: Twitching eye muscles, difficulty thinking clearly, and difficulty speaking due to numb or paralyzed tongue (very funny to observers, I assume). There was much more drowsiness throughout infusion and especially into the evening this time. But as of 1:30 am today, I'm happy to report zero drowsiness! Christina credits this to a steroid in the premeds, and cautions not to make any important decisions, speak out of turn, or think anything is as important as I think it is (I may have added a couple of those myself, but that last one is definitely hers). A good suggestion coming out of yesterday's visit was to use...

 "Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight." -Ps 144:1 High-Level Process Update Round 2 of chemo is in the books, Round 3 starts this Monday. I didn't feel well around days 10-12 after infusing again this time, but different symptoms. No body aches like last time, just feeling nauseated, and Imodium hasn't worked that well if you know what I mean. The #1 problem on my mind to improve in the next round is to get faster and better at regulating bowel flow somehow. There are multiple constipating and loosening effects going on a different times, and in either case it's very difficult to eat - a big problem since my highest priority is maximum calorie intake.  Otherwise, in terms of side effects, the sensitivity of my hands and fingers to cold objects and air was a little worse this time. So I'll wear gloves more often. That's it. I had MANY days in a row during Round 2 where I felt great, even better than norma...