Thanks, everyone! I'm hanging in there. I can't seem to get my strength back up and even though the chemo was three weeks and two days ago and the diarrhea stopped two weeks ago, and I've been in for IV fluids 3 or 4 times (I lost count), I'm still feeling pretty lousy. I'm drinking Smart Water, Ensure, and occasionally some cranberry juice or ginger ale, but I think I'll have to go in for fluids again. I always have a 24 oz cup of Smart Water by me and I finish 3 of them a day plus two Ensures, but I think I'm still dehydrated. I'm just not peeing very much compared to how much I'm drinking and the dizziness and weak voice keep coming back. I do still have a slight fever so that is probably burning off some fluids and the surgeon said that I seem to one of those people who will always be slightly dehydrated as long as I have my ileostomy. Some days are better than others, but no days are very good. I get up and putter around for 10-15 minutes and then have to sit or lay down for awhile before I can try again. I'm starting to worry that I'm not going to be able to tolerate chemo and they'll decide to just stop it and have me take my chances with recurrence. I know I should take it one day at a time and not worry about what might be until I see the onc again on Wednesday, but I'm a worrier by nature, so of course my mind can't think about anything else.
After pooping both into the bag and out the backside for a month after surgery, that stopped and I just occasionally passed a bit of mucus. Suddenly one day last week, I pooped the old-fashioned way again. Not just mucus, but a normal bowel movement. I told my onc in response to some question he asked and he said, "Really? That's very unusual." You'd think he'd be used to my body doing unusual things by now, but I guess not.
Thank goodness for online shopping or I wouldn't have any gifts for anyone! Luckily, wrapping gifts is something I can do sitting down so I am getting that done. And my daughters will help me decorate the house and make the cookies. We'll try to make it as festive a Christmas as possible under the circumstances.
Lydia, I think they are using the "bazooka" to try to kill the "fly" because of my high CEA numbers pre-surgery. They told me because of those numbers, they were going to be aggressive in my treatment. But thanks for letting me know about your treatment. That makes me feel better if I do have to switch to just xeloda.
I hope you all are doing well and have a wonderful holiday season. I'll let you know if I do go back in for more IV fluids and of course I'll let you know if I am able to have my infusion on Wednesday.
Thankful for all the support and sending hugs to all of you.
Judy