Things went pretty well after this last chemo (on 3/26). We were even able to get the Dacarbazine into my arm without causing any pain. I think we finally found the best ratio of saline and Dacarbazine so that it is diluted enough to not cause pain. I had the usual side effects up until this past Saturday (4/5) when I started to feel better. I had the same sick feeling the first night and just a little bit of nausea. I did receive the Neulasta shot again so that of course caused some uncomfortable bone aches. I was very fatigued but had no problems with loss of taste or appetite and no flu like symptoms.

Some strange things that I have noticed but aren’t causing any pain are; dry skin, loss of body hair and purple finger nails. I showed my doctor my nails and he said that is perfectly normal. Your finger nails are fast growing cells so the chemo is killing those cells. Once chemo stops then over time they will grow back and look normal again.

The hole in my leg is healing up great. The nurse is still packing it every other day but it is so much better. It no longer hurts and the most pain I have to deal with is when they pull off all the medical tape that is covering it.

Unfortunately, the hole in my chest is not healing as fast. Friday was the first time that the nurse found granulation tissue growing inside, which means the hole has finally decided to start healing. The problem is now when they go to pack it there may be some nerves exposed as the pain is excruciating.

They are sending out a wound care specialist this week to take a look at it so they can try to determine exactly why it is causing pain. Then on Friday I am going back to the hospital to have the doctor look it again. They believe it is either the nerves growing and being exposed or that I am having a reaction to the Aquacel that they use to pack the hole.

The pain is there every day and still wakes me up at all hours of the night. Sleeping seems to be impossible because no matter what position I lay it feels like too much pressure for my chest. There is still some swelling but at least the bruising from the internal bleeding is almost gone.

I have completed my antiobiotics for the staph infection and so far so good. I should know here in a couple of days if the infection comes back -keeping my fingers crossed!!

This Thursday (4/10) I go in for my sixth treatment –which means if all goes well and stays on schedule I will have two left, with the last one scheduled for May 8th. Then on to radiation!