Yesterday was a very eventful day for me. I woke up to mild-moderate pain in my lower spine. I was really hoping I wouldn't have this, but usually Wednesday or Thursday is the day I get it if I do. It is a side effect from the neupogen shots that I get. These shots stimulate my bone marrow into producing white blood cells, and I receive one of these shots each day for 7 days following my last day of my B cycle. Luckily this pain wasn't too bad until later in the day so the trip down to Philly wasn't bad. I'll get to what happened later in just a second. I had an x-ray of my arm at 12:45, and my appointment with my surgeon at 1:30. We arrived at the hospital at 11:00 so we were really early. There wasn't much traffic so that was great. We got lunch which wasn't that great. We should have just went to the place we went last time. It had great soup. Then, I had the x-ray of my arm.
Next up was the appointment with my surgeon. I got in early at 1:00 which was really nice. The appointment went well. She was really happy with the flexibility in my elbow, and shoulder. I already have full flexibility in my elbow. And the shoulder is really good as well. She said that the flexibility in my shoulder is at a level that the other two proposed surgeries would have never given me. So this surgery was definitely the right choice. She was really surprised with the strength I have in my arm which was finally tested yesterday. The movement that really surprised her was when I rose my arm like I was raising my hand in class. It was the first time that I got to do that since surgery so I was a little nervous of how high I would get. I got really high, like as high as my other arm high. It was a little painful because the strength isn't all there yet, but it was awesome to see that I could do that. She thought that I was already doing strength rehab with the strength I already have, but I haven't yet. I got the ok to begin strength work, and the ok to drive. I still have to figure out where I'm going to do the rehab. Not sure yet. She doesn't think I'll be able to do the rehab that often right now with me receiving chemo. Maybe once a week, twice if I'm feeling well enough. Other things to mention. My arm hasn't really healed much since surgery which limits the weight I can lift to only 8 lbs for now. The cadaver bone hasn't taken at all yet either, and I have to put some vitamin e on my scar to reduce the redness there. The reason for the bone not taking, and the lack of healing is the chemo. So all in all it was good news yesterday for me. My next appointment will be in 6 weeks.
With all of that great news I was on such a high, but it didn't last very long. Remember the spine pain I mentioned earlier? Well that turned into a severe, beating pain around 5. And it did not let up. Actually, it just got worse, then spread to my knees, and then my shins. I just spent the evening curled up on the couch taking the beating. The pain was even worse than the last time I had it because it was in multiple locations. It was so painful to just move, let alone walk. I took my leftover painkillers from surgery, but it didn't do much for the pain. I ended up finally falling asleep around midnight, but that sleep was short lived. I woke up to even more pain at 2. Now it was spread into my ribs, and elbows. I was up until 4 before falling asleep again. I woke up with just mild pain in my knees, shins, and chest. As of me writing this now. I have it beating again in my knees, and sudden flare ups in my back. But it's no where near the pain I had last night so I'm happy. I hope this subsides, and doesn't get worse because I need sleep. I can't be tired on Monday when I have chemo.
Next up was the appointment with my surgeon. I got in early at 1:00 which was really nice. The appointment went well. She was really happy with the flexibility in my elbow, and shoulder. I already have full flexibility in my elbow. And the shoulder is really good as well. She said that the flexibility in my shoulder is at a level that the other two proposed surgeries would have never given me. So this surgery was definitely the right choice. She was really surprised with the strength I have in my arm which was finally tested yesterday. The movement that really surprised her was when I rose my arm like I was raising my hand in class. It was the first time that I got to do that since surgery so I was a little nervous of how high I would get. I got really high, like as high as my other arm high. It was a little painful because the strength isn't all there yet, but it was awesome to see that I could do that. She thought that I was already doing strength rehab with the strength I already have, but I haven't yet. I got the ok to begin strength work, and the ok to drive. I still have to figure out where I'm going to do the rehab. Not sure yet. She doesn't think I'll be able to do the rehab that often right now with me receiving chemo. Maybe once a week, twice if I'm feeling well enough. Other things to mention. My arm hasn't really healed much since surgery which limits the weight I can lift to only 8 lbs for now. The cadaver bone hasn't taken at all yet either, and I have to put some vitamin e on my scar to reduce the redness there. The reason for the bone not taking, and the lack of healing is the chemo. So all in all it was good news yesterday for me. My next appointment will be in 6 weeks.
With all of that great news I was on such a high, but it didn't last very long. Remember the spine pain I mentioned earlier? Well that turned into a severe, beating pain around 5. And it did not let up. Actually, it just got worse, then spread to my knees, and then my shins. I just spent the evening curled up on the couch taking the beating. The pain was even worse than the last time I had it because it was in multiple locations. It was so painful to just move, let alone walk. I took my leftover painkillers from surgery, but it didn't do much for the pain. I ended up finally falling asleep around midnight, but that sleep was short lived. I woke up to even more pain at 2. Now it was spread into my ribs, and elbows. I was up until 4 before falling asleep again. I woke up with just mild pain in my knees, shins, and chest. As of me writing this now. I have it beating again in my knees, and sudden flare ups in my back. But it's no where near the pain I had last night so I'm happy. I hope this subsides, and doesn't get worse because I need sleep. I can't be tired on Monday when I have chemo.
Hi Mike, sorry to hear the Neupogen is causing so much pain. Mathew hasn't had it too badly so far but that may be due to him being on 15 mg morphine twice daily. Will you be doing any radiation on your arm or is your treatment the surgery and chemo? It is good to hear you haven't needed any blood transfusions or platelet transfusions. I hope it stays that way for you.
ReplyDeleteNo radiation for me. Just chemo and surgery. But at least the pain from the neupogen was worth it. My wbc shot up from 2.3 on Thursday to 20 on Monday! A new record for me. Last time I had really bad pain the same thing happened.
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