Treatments 1 & 2

October 8^th was chemo treatment #1. I’d be lying if I said I took it bravely.  As soon as the treatment was injected, I knew it was real, and there was no turning back.  

Not having a point of reference for something like this, I think I subconsciously decided that it was going to be awful. So it was.

The first three days (as I was informed by the nurses) would be the best days of my treatment, then things would take a dive. For me, the first three days were bizarre. I was oddly debilitated, fatigued, food tasted like paper so I could hardly eat, and I had strange dreams. With not eating well, I didn’t feel well either, and my thoughts were not the most positive. But crap, I was nervous to think that if these were the best days, what was I to expect next?

By day 4 of my treatment I was expecting something awful to happen, but it didn’t. On day 7 I was expecting fatigue, and that didn’t happen either. I did have aches and pains from an injection that stimulates my white blood cells, but otherwise, I started eating better, so I started feeling stronger physically and emotionally. Doh! That was crazy simple!

At this point I decided that I wasn’t going to let chemo get me down. As awful as some of the first days really were, this process is not impossible. This is doable.

On day 10 since treatment, Friday, I forced myself to leave the house. With the green light from an oncology nurse, I ran an errand! Seems like such a small thing, but it made me feel normal. Chris and I ran errands on Saturday too and that was wonderful. Char spent two weekends with our family so she hung out with her cousins and had a ball!

I did manage to catch a nasty cough and it was scary not knowing if it would turn into something worrisome with my low defenses, but having 24-hour access to medical advice was helpful. Thankfully the cough is resolving (because it has been “productive”=gross).

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Treatment 2 was on Wednesday the 22^nd and my entourage was there for support! I’m definitely pushing the limits by taking 3 people with me instead of just 2. Oops. But they love us.

(Please note the beautiful pink quilt Sue made for me! You rock Sue!)

I will still have to undergo treatments for a few more months, but this round of 4 treatments specifically is very strong. I’m basically receiving two chemo treatments per sitting. Despite that, my vitals were all perfect and we were able to proceed with the planned doses.

Something unexpected happened though. I experienced shortness of breath during the second dose. Nothing to worry about, just a reaction. Got Benadryl and steroids and managed to get through the whole thing. I went home whoozy which was kinda fun!

Overall, Chris, Char and I are doing very well. Getting through this phase in our lives with full support from all of our loved ones. We have received so many blessings in this journey. BIG THANKS to all of you who have sent your prayers and messages to the universe, cards, texts, FB messages, visits, nourishing food, care packages, and gifts. I never imagined that something as terrifying as having cancer, could bring on so much love and support! I have found friendships in people I still haven’t even met.

I don’t have pictures for everything & everyone, but I do have the pictures below:

Ma kept me company last week and baked me some delicious apple pecan pie, which I promptly ate with ice cream.....

Our dear friend Michelle Barton participated in a 5k cancer walk last Sunday….

And Jessi, Ma and Sue got us a badass floor freezer!!!!