Heat Wave I'm not the only one complaining about this. We've been getting cell phone heat alerts, as if we need to be told. It's frustrating because I feel like being outdoors is one of the healthiest things I can do right now. But then, I began to imagine if I had to spend chemo months in the winter. I'm not complaining anymore. We have a lot of windows that bring in sunshine and good cloud views, when it's too hot to be out. (and entertaining tree trim views, too) With the a.c. doing its work, I can curl up like a cat in a beam of sun and let the light do its magic. And in the early morning before the sun hits the yard, I go out and read or swim or pull weeds. In the evening there's usually a breeze, so Don and I can sit outside and watch our crazy squirrel friend climb the palm trees.
What if I didn't have air-conditioning? What if it were January and the days were short and gray? Once again, I am feeling lucky.
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Movies Everybody tells me to watch funny movies and shows that make me laugh. That's too bad because I have a long list of movies I'm eager to get caught up on and they're mostly dramas. But I do love watching classic comedies, like, "Some Like it Hot" and "It Happened One Night". And I have lots of favorite old comedy stars who make me laugh. It's sort of embarrassing to admit that I'm a fan of Jerry Lewis. I also adore Charlie Chaplin. There's something nice about watching and laughing, without sound. Nothing Calm About TV TV is another thing. You turn it on and get caught. If CNN is showing Trump I have to listen a minute, because there's a lot of outrageous humor in the political race these days. But there's nothing calming or stress relieving about it! The Olympics! What a great distraction from some of the horrific news we've had this summer and the exhausting politics! I love watching the "Final 5" US Gymnasts and Michael Phelps win... how many gold medals? But I'll be honest, the cheering and noise and hoopla wears me out. 3 weeks of Olympics? But it's been fun watching the best parts with Don, who is the most enthused fan ever. And when I've had enough, I know I can go read. Most of all I can relax, knowing that Don is a happy camper, watching all the taped events I don't care about. Well, who does? But I asked for this. I signed the papers to be in a medical study that means I get my blood drawn 12 days in a row. The good news is, my nurse, Augusta comes right to my house. And she let me pick the time. I chose 9 am, which sort of pressures me to get going in the world. No I don't grin with delight every time the needle goes in... we are hamming it up for the photo. Smooth and Quick But I've been keeping hydrated to make the job easier for Augusta. And so far, she's done a smooth and quick job of it! In truth, Augusta has been a sweet surprise in the midst of all the inconvenience I've been dealing with! We have talked about her life as a nurse in Nigeria and her 20+ years of nursing in The States. She was delighted when she found out I knew about her favorite food, Fufu. She couldn't believe I'd feasted on some in a Nigerian restaurant in Houston. Every day we laugh a little time together. I rave about her clothes and hair (although she's sometimes in scrubs) And Augusta keeps me boosted, by saying I really don't look like I'm 59. An interesting way to start each day.
We all know what to expect with the usual junk, like flu. We recognize those symptoms and put up with them and do what we can to speed up the healing. But my Day 3 of chemo, left me with so many feelings I couldn't even describe. It was unpleasantly clear that something was going on in my body. Kind folks asked, "How are you feeling?" I can't believe I actually tried to explain to a few. Then I realized, not everyone expects an answer. Most are just letting me know they're thinking of me. I'm going to try hard, NOT to be like the guy sitting next to me during chemo, who made 20+ cell calls and explained all his ailments to friends and answering machines. So I'm feeling so much better today on Day 6. I don't know if my reactions to the next 3 sessions will be the same. But I do know that when I hit my low, I am totally allowed to lounge back in my Foxy Lady Slippers (Thanks, Kristi!) and read, doze or stare. And I don't have to laugh or chat or anything... but I might have to smile at those feet!
So, no Super Woman today. I was feeling pretty proud of myself for the first 3 days of chemo. I've gotten up and done some very light exercise and stretches and eaten well with no problems. But today I am indeed feeling like I'm walking in a spacesuit filled with lead. Don, my cheerleader is giving me more distance because I'm too tired to react to the usual stuff that makes me laugh. But Don is a clever one. He knows just what amuses me. This is not the first time I've opened my medicine cabinet to find some cut out staring at me. A grinning, Martin Short was one of my favorites. Christopher Walken, is my latest.
I got a little of my humor back! I wish I was the kind of person who trusts myself to take on my own cancer treatment with a brave, drug free fight. I'd love to be that person who amazes the world by kicking cancer without toxic chemo. It can be done. But I stepped into the oncologist's office yesterday, ready to accept my drugs and all the support I could get. Don was of course my # 1 support! He wore this shirt that just cracks me up. It has some nice southwestern designs, but basically looks like something Beaver Cleaver would have worn as he tossed a ball with Wally. We packed some snacks and reading materials, but in our 5 1/2 hours we mostly jabbered the whole time. Before meeting with Dr. P, I chatted with Paige and Michelle at the desk. They loved my wooden donkey mascot. They are pretty darn delightful people to meet at the desk when you're a bit nervous. I was also pleased to see there was a photograph of a donkey on the wall. Lot's of donkey kicking energy to kick bootie, right along with that chemo! Dr. P gave me a great pep talk and I was off to the chemo room! We enjoyed some snacks during my 3 hours of "dripping". I was only a little grossed out to see the bag of nuts looked like my bag of Docetaxel that was dripping into my veins. Then again, friends have told me to visualize this chemo as a wonderful thing. It's going to heal me! It's healthy like nuts... it's Pac Men eating away at those cancer cells... it's like the healthy tree that once provided the healing ingredients that developed the cancer cure! I felt so incredibly lucky as I sat there for hours, chatting with my wonderful nurse Mary (we share the same birthday) and having a photo taken by a chatty woman across from us. I cuddled with my blanket when my body began to cool and best of all I felt no nausea or dizziness. I know days ahead will have less perfect surprises, but having this great first chemo day experience gave me a boost!
I'm hoping I don't turn into a couch potato with no energy! That has been a worry. But yesterday, on the day before my first chemo, I did some sitting around that I didn't mind! I had a spur of the moment nail treat with old tennis buddy, Susan. We sat in some heavenly chairs and sipped on Starbucks...her treat! I didn't mind that sitting at all! And today I did some more sitting in a very comfy chair. Don and I wore some fun shirts and brought some reading and snacks and I had my very first chemo. I am not faking a smile like I am good at doing. I was just starting up a 3 hour treatment and it was an incredible relief to find the experience was just fine. No pain, no nausea... great staff and some amusing other patients. I know it won't all be this good, but I am happy, happy to start well!
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Not-So-Happy List
Cancer, Covid & Coronary... I started this complaining list/blog, in May 2016. I posted 200 gripes about my breast CANCER and then I was done. On March 13, 2020, I started venting all over again, when another disease (starting with a C) interfered with my life. This time it was the invasion of COVID and it affected every person. I ranted for a year, until I got my COVID vaccine in March 2021. CORONARY Artery Disease was the reason I restarted this blog on September 26, 2021. This time it was my hubby Don, who was dealing with a worry that started with the letter "C". Coronavirus and Cancer, Coronary Artery Disease! All are evil, but none can totally get me down... if I vent! I usually end up feeling a little more positive at the end of each post! Navigating This Mess! The most recent post is at the top, from coronary posts in 2022, back to cancer posts in 2016. To find past posts, look below the "Archives" section, to find "Categories". Archives
January 2022
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