so I told the doctor, zombies don't need red blood cells....then I devoured him

I had my 6 month check-up with the Oncologist a few days ago. Lymph nodes look good. The doc gave me a rather thorough pat down to check for any nodes that may be swollen.
Blood work came back with some issues. I am anemic, more so than I was just after chemo. My body just is not producing enough red blood cells to recover from my period each month. I am now taking hormones to stop my periods (birth control), and am taking a high dose of iron each day with orange juice. The side effects from taking iron pills are not fun, but I will have to manage those if they come up. My doctor will call me Monday with more information, instruction.

My thyroid level is low again as well, so I will start taking a higher dose of synthroid.

I will be going in shortly to have a camera gently SHOVED up my nose to get a visual on the cancer site to ensure that it isn't growing back. In the mean time, I just need to worry about getting my iron up and my thyroid under control. No wonder I have been so lethargic. If anyone has suggestions on managing low thyroid and/or iron, let me know!

PS: My doctor is a cutie. Single too.

Dr Visit today

I have an appointment with the oncologist today. My iron level will be checked. If it is still low, they will give me a transfusion, so I am hoping everything is good now. I have had way more energy the past 10 days, but still get a bit dizzy when I stand up.

I am planning to hike the narrows sometime soon and need to have the energy and strength to do it. From what I understand, it is quite an easy hike, but I have a hard time walking more than a mile still.

I am a bit nervous about my appointment. I have anxiety issues when I go to the clinic now. I have asked Christopher to go with me. He will provide comic relief that will help me not to think about it :)

Visit with the doctor today

I had radiation today, then my weekly visit with a Radiation doctor. They rotate. Today was my first experience with Dr. Brown, and he was great. He was the first Oncologyst in Utah County a million years ago, and started with 2 patients. Cheery, bald, humorous old man and I love him. He told me this is going to get much worse....but is also willing to keep trying stuff to help me through it. Pain pills make me nauseous, so we are trying liquid. If that doesn't work, we will try a patch. I would have liked to try to patch first, but I would be constantly drugged. Are you kidding me? Drug me for 9 months, wake me when this is over!

They weighed me today, and I am down 10 lbs, which is too much. The dr threatened a feeding tube, so I tried very hard tonight. I drank a creamy chicken soup, a bit of OJ, some mini cookies in milk, then had Valerie bring me a donut (of which I ate 1/3) Right now I am trying another drinkinkable soup..creamy tomato parmesan bisque, which I thought would burn, but its suprisingly soothing. I think all together I've had around 800 calories. Which is high for the last 2 weeks. Way high. I think part of the reason I keep getting nauseous is that I don't eat enough to go with the massive amounts of pills I am taking. Blood thinners and anti nausea and anti anxiety so I can sit through the radiation mask for 20 minutes a day and sleeping pills and anti this and anti that. 

Right now, I am listening to Andrea Bochelli and sipping my soup and am very content and relaxed. 

Oh hey, want to send out a thank you to Kalynn for the ride and for taking my curtains to hem, thank you to Trudy for mowing my lawn, and to Jean for the roses, and thank you to Valerie for running Chris around and for the donut run! Thank you everyone else for the well wishes and emails and prayers!

Today, was a very good day!