Not exactly like "The Joy of Cooking," but if I had to write a recipe book about lessons learned from Chemotherapy the first time, it would include the following tips.
- Rest, when you are tired.
- Eat, when you can.
- Eat lots of vegetables and fruits, when you are not nauseated.
- Accept help even when it feels uncomfortable.
- Enjoy the good days.
- Get through the bad.
- Move everyday, even if you move slower than you want.
- Laugh.
- Find the silver linings (they are always there).
- Find joy in each day.
- Focus on the positive but allow yourself to feel all the feelings.
- Know that being sick and fighting cancer is not a sign of weakness.
- Always cuddle with your dogs. They will get you through any day.
Simple, I know...but for me - important. I did not expect to be doing this again so if I don't take something from the last time and make it better, it almost seems like a waste of valuable life lessons. It has been less than a month since finding out about this new #livelifedetour. The first couple of weeks were filled with anxiety and fear. Once, I knew the plan I started working on acceptance. Since my last post, I have had the port placed back in my chest - which just freaks me out, but each day I get a little more used to it. Something about knowing that they connected a catheter to my right jugular vein is just a little scary. It is uncanny that they placed the port on the same exact day, exactly two years later. I am going to have to use those numbers for my next lottery pick (012819 and 012821) - there has to be something lucky there.
February 3rd, I had my first day of chemo. I was a mess that day, so nervous and anxious about unknown side effects and having to be there alone. But Remy, my angel chemo nurse, called me that morning and told me to bring someone - he would put me in a private room and get them in. That made all the difference and my good friend stayed all day with me. I had to go back the next day for more fun - and I was once again, given private room and bottle service - and allowed a friend. I couldn't believe my luck. Thank you Pacific Shores Oncology for having the best and most caring nurses out there.
The next few days were filled with the usual lack of sleep from prednisone (pre-meds), headaches, nausea and exhaustion - but I worked through it and headed back the following Wednesday for another dose. Again, I got the VIP treatment! So I have one more day (this Wednesday) and we are done with Round 1 of this new cocktail - I have labeled this new cocktail Lady Godiva (Gazyva) and Bendejo (Bendamustine). Lady Godiva is the stronger of the two - so they had to slowly build it up in my body in 4 doses. I think the bendejo may be the one that makes me sicker (not surprised by the name) as I didn't get that on Wednesday and my nausea is less.
After Wednesday, I get a 2 week break and then March 3rd and 4th we do it again. But then I get a 28 day break - woohoo - and don't have to go back until March 31st/April 1st.
I am calling this the chemo "honeymoon" period. I am tired but ok. Some days I feel better than others. But my blood counts are good, I do not have bone pain or nerve pain. I can still enjoy coffee on most days. With each treatment, some of these side effects may get worse. So for today. I am enjoying my good days and this "honeymoon" - Getting outside. Enjoying time with the dogs. Walking at the beach (maybe over did it there) and just feeling grateful.
That is my update for now.
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| Sunrise today! |
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| I am going to be ok. |
