FollowI’m a UBC PhD student and my research explores the rhetoric of gameplay. I’ve been living with Multiple Myeloma, hospital a form of blood cancer since 2006. I am on my 4th chemo treatment called Velcade, in which I receive weekly injections. I enjoy playing games and capturing my everyday environment through photos. I’m using self-portraits to help with the healing process and help keep me happy and occupied. Chemo can be a lonely and challenging process.
This is the forum I will use to discuss my University of British Columbia experiences as a student, share my photography, and educate others about my cancer and chemo treatment.
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Flickr: photos
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Week 3 by tyfn, on Flickr” href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/tyfn/9628889379/”>
Week 28 of chemo
This morning with my breakfast I took my dexamethasone and cyclophosphamide cancer pills that are prescribed weekly in conjunction with my hospital chemo treatment. The dexamethasone is a steroid and I take 10 (4mg) tablets. I take 11 50mg cyclophosphamide tablets and one at 25mg.
Cancer drugs I take at home
Later I travelled to my chemo appointment for the third week of this cycle. We each have a Patient Profile Flow Sheet that we use to self-report ourselves. At the top is the question: Since your last appointment have you had any of the following? Please put a check if yes. For example:
- Fever at home
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Painful muscles or joints
- Numbness or tingling
- New bruising
In addition, we do our own blood pressure, oxygen saturation, pulse, and temperature, while waiting for the nurse to bring our chemo. A nurse will then look at what has been written and will place their initials on the form.
My numbers:
Temperature: 36.5
Blood Pressure: 134/67
Oxygen Saturation: 95
Pulse: 72
Taking my temperature
The chemo went well. It was quick and painless. I had two injections in my left side of my stomach- one was 1.4mg of Velcade chemo and the other was 1.5mg, as this is the third week.
Chemo injections
Just to give a recap, I am living with Multiple Myeloma (blood cancer). Since February 2013, I have been on my 4th chemo treatment called Velcade, which are weekly in-hospital injections, in addition to a variety of other pills I take to supplement my chemo treatment. You can read the background on my diagnosis and previous treatments on my blog.
BC Cancer Agency
You can view my self-portrait project on flickr.
A rain moment
You can also view photos related to my ongoing treatment here.
