Opdivo Day Once Again

Early morning>>  up at 6:00 am, shower and out the door by 6:30 am and by &:30 am, I am sitting in the waiting area Chemo Infusions, for an available nurse to access my port, draw blood, and take me to one of the 8 Treatment Suites to await my Opdivo Infusion.  This infusion will be my 41st or 42rd...  I don't remember...  but I do know that I have had a least 40 of these infusions.

Recently, I had lost my appetite, was losing weight, and felt a little nauseas after eating and my Oncologist suggested that I ask my doctor for an Upper GI at the same time that I was going to have my colonoscopy...  and that is what I did and that is what happened...  and the results were negative...  indicating that my symptoms were coming from some other source.

After talking with a Pharmacist during my IVIG infusion, he informed me that ALL OF MY SYMPTOMS were side effects of OPDIVO except for losing my sense of taste...  although, he would not rule that out just because it is not recognized as being typical.

I will not be able to talk with my Oncologist for another month...  but, all of these symptoms subsided after I recovered from my colonoscopy which could be coincidence or it could have been that the IVIG Infusion the week before might have something to do with this as well...

WHO KNOWS?

ISOLATION

What is the psychological impact of isolation?

There is substantial evidence linking perceived social isolation with adverse health consequences including depression, poor sleep quality, impaired executive function, accelerated cognitive decline, poor cardiovascular function and impaired immunity at every stage of life.

Yet, this is exactly what we must do and continue to do for 1-2 more months.

Isolation Has Profound Effects on The Human Body And Brain. Here's What Happens...

SARITA ROBINSON, THE CONVERSATION
3 FEBRUARY 2019

Imagine being confined to a small, dark room, with no social interaction whatsoever for 30 days. Not many people would jump at this opportunity.

But, in November 2018, a professional US poker player Rich Alati bet US$100,000 that he could survive 30 days alone and in total darkness.

He was kept in a small, completely dark room with nothing but a bed, fridge and bathroom. Even with all the resources he needed to survive, Alati couldn't last the month. After 20 days he negotiated his release, taking a payout of US$62,400.

There are countless negative effects that social isolation and extreme isolation can have on our minds and bodies. Alati was no exception, reporting that he experienced a range of side effects, including changes to his sleep cycle, and hallucinations.

But why is isolation so difficult for humans to withstand?

One of the reasons that living in isolation is difficult is because humans are social creatures. Many people that have lived in isolated environments – such as researchers stationed in Antarctica – report that loneliness can be the most difficult part of the job.

Yossi Ghinsberg, an Israeli adventurer and author who survived weeks alone in the Amazon, said that loneliness was what he suffered from most and that he had created imaginary friends to keep himself company.

Loneliness can be damaging to both our mental and physical health. Socially isolated people are less able to deal with stressful situations.                                 

Read Complete Article