Getting Ready for Surgery

I’m almost a month out from the last chemo session and many of the challenging symptoms are improving or gone. Nausea and digestive issues are way better. My hair is starting to grow back. My skin is way better now that I’m not having weekly steroids. Even the numbness in my hands and feet have improved. Having stopped chemo three sessions short due to my ears being impacted likely reduced the long term issues with neuropathy so a blessing in disguise. The ringing in my ears is the same, but not worse. I’ll have a follow up hearing test in late December to monitor.

In the last few months I’ve noticed my vision was blurry. Last Wednesday I have my eyes checked. My prescription has changed a great deal since August, when it was checked last. There is a chance that it’s due to chemo and may improve on its own in the next few months. So I’m just dealing with it and not going to get new glasses.

All in all the ringing and vision issues are quite manageable. However I’m really struggling with the Ankylosis Spondylitis (AS) flare, I’d forgotten how bad this disease can be without a working biologic in your system. In a month or two the biologic should start working so there is an end in site.

On Monday I have lymph node surgery. They will attempt to remove all lymph nodes in the left arm pit area. I was sure hoping to feel healthier than I currently do before surgery but it’ll be ok.

I feel the end is in sight and the worst is over so eye on the prize. I’m eager to see the results from the biopsy after surgery. That will tell me how far the cancer spread and if any appears to still be alive. Let’s hope for dead cancer only!

All the best to you and yours!