Dear Diary #19 - I've got an itch!

 Hey friends,

Back to feeling a bit whiney today, so thought I'd come and get some thoughts out of my head again. Please don't mind me.

I mentioned last week that I was dealing with a pretty good case of hives. These are not new to me, so I wasn't really that concerned about them. I did call my oncologist on Thursday to see if she could offer anything. She declined my request for a stronger topical steroid cream, but offered my an oral steroid instead. I declined. I really don't like being on steroids and I don't sleep well. I thought they would just clear up on their own, and I'd just keep slathering on hydrocortisone cream. 

Well that didn't work. I woke up Sunday morning losing my mind. The hives are bad, not going to minimize it. I called the weekend on-call line and begged the on-call oncologist to call in the Prednisone script and off we went to Airdrie to get that filled. Day 3 today of steroids and not yet seeing much improvement. Sigh. Hoping for better things before Friday's chemo session.

I did see my oncologist yesterday. We don't really have any idea what is causing the hives. There is a possibility that it is the coconut oil I was using (have since stopped) as it was the only things new when the hives started. I have no known coconut issues, but have never used coconut oil topically either. My oncologist seems pretty convinced it could be from the Lapelga injection I took, but the reaction didn't actually happen until 8 or 9 days after I took that. We are going to try one more injection this chemo round, and if the hives don't clear up (shoot me now) then we can remove that injection and switch to antibiotics in place. 

I guess the good thing about all these treatments is that there is always an alternative. The Lapelga shot is intended to rebuild white blood cell counts, mostly to reduce risk of infection. So the antibiotics can help reduce the risk of infection, but they can't promote increased blood cell counts. Soooo, if chemo IS lowering my blood cell count (I don't have new blood work yet to verify this, doing that this afternoon actually) then treatments could be delayed if my body needs time on it's own to rebuild those cells (without the Lapelga). I'm not sure any of that actually made sense, hahaha. 

I think with my reduced immune system, the hives just can't clear up like they normally do. It was a rough night last night. The steroids stop me from sleeping well, and the itching was insane. I was up several times to slather on more cream, and apply cool cloths to try to ease the itching. I am doing oatmeal and baking soda baths, and applying creams multiple times throughout the day. I'm trying to wear more layers so that scratching is more difficult. I like to think I am pretty good at this hives game, I have tons of experience, but sometimes I just HAVE TO scratch. Darrin is constantly nagging me to stop. I need the reminder, but it doesn't make it better. I wake up in the night scratching too, oops. 

The good news is my oncologist says that if it is from the Lapelga that that can linger in my body for 4 to 6 weeks. So that sounds SUPER FUN!! She changed the Prednisone dose up a bit so I am taking a stronger dose but only in the morning, so maybe sleep will improve? Here's hoping! 

So today, I am just tired and cranky (sorry Darrin). 

This was to be my 'honeymoon week'. Physically (outside of hives) I feel really good. I should be enjoying a week off from symptoms and gearing up for Friday's infusion. Now I am just hoping these clear up. Please, please, please. Really the rest of the last 3 weeks have been completely doable. The lack of taste buds truly sucked, but still doable. 

I'll be back later in the week with an update on my second infusion. Until then I'll just keep scratching. Okay? 

Keep cheering friends, please send all healthy non itchy vibes my way. 

Peace and love

Barb