Yesterday (Monday, August 5) we met with our palliative care specialist and then had bloodwork done at the Beloit / UW Cancer Center. The bloodwork must have looked like my body had repaired itself from the last chemotherapy - at least enough to be able to poison me again - because we're on to Round 4 (of 6).
Today we returned to the Cancer Center for my next chemo infusion. As with the previous three, the infusion itself usually goes without a hitch. However, 24-48 hours later, it kicks in fully and my body reacts. I think the first infusion was followed by a 48-hour "wait" time, whereas that shortened to about 36 hours during my second round, then about 24 hours during the third. Who knows? Maybe it will kick in after only 12 hours after my fourth infusion!
Not that it means anything, but I'm about 10 hours out from my latest infusion as I type this. I hope it waits until morning to kick in.
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Speaking of things that kick in, we also made our first visit to Sunnyside dispensary this afternoon, after all the other appointments. We were able to talk to a "Wellness Advisor" (helpful, but not extremely so) and dial in a few products that should help with sleep and pain in particular. The best part about the trip, really, was that we now know how the whole dispensary procedure works.
I have been "dosing" with hemp-derived gummies from a local smoke shop in the village near our home. I enjoy them and will continue to get more. Last year, well before I got sick, I was vaping some of those same hemp-derived products. I ended up with a fairly persistent cough at the start of this year, though, and I suspect that it may have been the vaping. My primary care doctor, who certified me for my medical marijuana card request, doesn't agree with me on that. Also, the product we've been buying there supposedly has really high testing standards. I might try vaping again, but I'll do so cautiously.
For anyone who doesn't use these things, hemp-derived is typically less potent than marijuana-derived, meaning that dispensary-grade THC and other cannabinoids give you more bang for the buck. Also, vaping (and smoking) is a faster acting delivery system than edibles. Vaping (and smoking) starts reacting and dispersing the moment it hits your lungs. Edibles have to get through your system to your body's filtering organs before they disperse. I like the faster reaction time of vaping (or smoking) but I sure didn't like that persistent cough. I had it for months after quitting vaping the first time!
Why do I need a medical marijuana card if I've been getting perfectly good, hemp-based cannabinoids from a smoke shop that's five minutes from home? The potency difference is one thing. There's also a special Medical line at the dispensary and it's a much shorter line! We paid very little in tax for what we bought, too. So, yeah, some distinct advantages.
One last thing. I'm starting to make private "Ride Notes" for the various cannabis products I've been using. Yes, as nerdy as it sounds, I'm taking brief notes on the efficacy of the gummies and such. I have always wished that I did something like that with all the hundreds of different single malt Scotch whiskies I've tasted over the last few decades, but I never started, thinking I'll simply remember how I felt about what I drank.
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