I have a lot to catch you up on...some of it, really good...with a few bumps along the way. Thanks to one of my best friends for the title of this post, inspired from a card she sent. This is my #livelifedetour - granted a much longer detour than I had expected, so of course, there will be bumps along the way.
Anxiety, stress and a side of chest pain...
I started having chest pains Sunday, February 14th (no, my heart wasn't broken on Valentine's Day 😂). The pains were sporadic and sharp and right behind my left breast (where of course, my heart lives) so it was scary. They would come and go but without a pattern. Sometimes, I was sitting still, sometimes I was walking around. On Wednesday during chemo, I mentioned the chest pains, and after checking with the doctor, they recommended seeing a cardiologist ASAP. Okay...but I do not even have a cardiologist - do you? So, I called my "new" primary care physician and was able to get into the office the next day. They did an EKG and checked vitals...all were good. So they referred me to a cardiologist and said if it got worse, go to the ER. (oh my gosh - my anxiety was off the charts). Friday night was the worst...but Saturday and Sunday, the pain become less sporadic. I made it to Tuesday, when I saw the cardiologist. Based on my descriptions, he didn't think it was cardiac related but was still going to order a stress test and echocardiogram. Phew...I went home relieved, yet still anxious.
Earlier that day, I had also spoken with the nurse, and she suggested pepcid and tylenol in case it was reflux related so I had started taking that as well. The pains lessened and turned to pressure at night. I was short of breath but I had also just had chemo 3 weeks in a row and was exhausted. So I worked through it, and waited for the next test to rule out what it wasn't.
Finally, last week, the pain and pressure lessened and I had a few good days before cycle 2. What I don't understand is the level of anxiety that came over me. It is so controlling, several days or evenings, I could not get out of my head fast enough before the feeling of a panic attack took over...I find this so dumb and honestly annoying. Thank goodness for my sister, who would talk to me to break the thought processes and some silly singing and dancing around the house when I couldn't get a hold of someone to talk to. Seriously, I have got to get a grip!
 |
| Reminds me of an Rorschach inkblot test - my lungs |
This week, Wednesday and Thursday were chemo days...Dana and Martha tag teamed and sat by my side, so grateful to be able to have them in the room with me. Thanks to Remy and Rachel - rockstar chemo nurses for making it happen.
I saw Dr. Danny (local oncologist). Although, chest pains had subsided, he ordered a CT angiogram (STAT) to make sure there wasn't a blood clot or pneumonia in my lungs. So after chemo on Thursday morning, I went right over to imaging to get the IV contrast CT scan of lungs and chest (thank you Martha for going to that with me too). Scans came back clear.
Latest symptoms: nausea, headache, lack of appetite, fatigue, metallic taste, low platelet counts. Cycle 2 done. 24 days until cycle 3.
Feel Good Files
Tuesday, ended with the biggest surprise! A CAR PARADE! Yes...for real...over 40 friends and colleagues got together, decorated their cars and drove by my house honking and shouting love and support! It was honestly AH-MAZING! I was blown away....see video below. I definitely felt the love 💕 .
More feel goods from the last couple of weeks....
- Amazing car parade
- Fresh fruit and vegetables delivered from the farmers market
- Beautiful flowers left on my doorstep
- homemade banana bread dropped off
- dinner from neighbors
- lots of texts and messages with love and support
- homemade chicken soup with a side of matzoh balls and a visit from two of my favorite cousins
