Shingles anyone?

Yep, I have shingles!!!
It is not a nice thing to have...the ache can be very severe at times.
During chemo last week I asked about rash under my arm...nurse got N (PA) to come look at it..N says "Its Shingles" I said "You have got to be kidding" N said "No, its from past chicken pox and was just waiting until my immune system got low to come out".
I said "What next"..she just looked at me and smiled. Gave me a prescription for 7 days.
Told to keep eye on it..ITs SPREAD..over one mound heading to another.
Have been taking painkillers to help relieve the itch and pain..
Also doing vinegar/water soaks last few days, which seem to help.

Chemo last week...something else again..
Port decided it was going to act up right away by not releasing fluid once they started a flush and wanted withdrawl liquid...nope...no withdrawl a coming..we have been thru this before.
SO off I got sent to Interventional Radiation...where they checked out the port and it was in just fine, turned somewhat...but can be used for chemo (which is what we want).
Port had grown a sheath over it...as body says its being invaded by strange object and this is how it reacts.
Sheath caused port to close and not allow return flow..kind of like a valve opening an shutting but only opening for IVs to go thru and closes for release....
Interentional wanted me to come back after chemo was done and they would run an IV thru for 2 1/2 hrs...I mentioned that it would be late..said it didn't matter to them.
We had been called in day early for chemo due to storm heading our way...were suppose to have chemo Christmas Eve Day, but had it day earlier.
So anyway, I get over to Roger Maris again and we start premeds...we get phone call where Inventional wants me to come in next day for the 2 1/2 hrs...I mentioned I didn't want to do it then, so my nurse got on line with them and told them we wanted it all done in same day..
Then it was mentioned that they wanted my port for the few hours and if she could put my IV in arm....she mentioned she could do that then they wanted me back down to Inventional for the next few hours...BEFORE we did agree to any of this my nurse did talk to Dr P and he said NO, we are not putting her thru all this...said that they (INN) said we could use the port for chemo and they were not going to take it away...also that I didn't need to go thru that long IV as he just needed to know if it could be used instead of REPLACED and they had already logged on his computer that port looked fine and could be used for chemo..so that is what we did...Course we closed the place down again by time we left.
Did you know that Chemo also causes ones toenails to fall off?? Shortness of breath?
I didn't know that....do now..
Was a long day last week..

Steriods - could live without??

Steriods took a toll at this last Chemo appt Friday 12-18-09.
Feet got so swollen that shoes wouldn't go on.
Called work and told them I would be in at noon on Sat as I was going to lay with legs up all night long..
Sat. went into work and scheduled showed me SICK..ya right..worked from 12-4 then gave up and went home..legs and feet swollen even in support hose, back hurting-wearing back brace to help. Face was starting to get puffier.
Sunday found me looking like a Sumo Wrestler. Called in to work due to puffy face, neck not being able to move right. Eyes looked slanted..cheeks/chin hurt ..
Body very swollen..
Called Dr. P who happened to be on call..told me to take benadryl and if I had problems breathing to head to the ER.
During the day the benadryl started working and fluid passed thru me...body looked much better today -Monday, could say I was glad to see wrinkles under my eyes to which Denny just laughed at. Laughter such good medicine.
Weekend has taken its toll...emotionally and physically on me.
Sunday found us getting all the Christmas wrapping caught up---such a good feeling.
Thank goodness I had today off...really exhausted today so got caught up on some sleep as steriods mess up ones nights...never a good nights sleep to be had.