Oh, cyclobenzaprine, what magical properties you have.
Even the littlest spasms of muscle be gone!
And sleep I in deepest slumber, all the day and night long.
If I'm attempting poetry, I must be high on something. :-) But, truly, this stuff is great for what ails me. Problem is, I just can't keep my eyes open.
Paul reminds me that today is typically the worst day in the chemo cycle for nausea, so if I've made it through today nausea-free, then I've skirted that particular side effect again. Whew! I'll take it.
More later, when I'm in a less altered state.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Next time, someone else cleans up that mess
Last night, I went to bed fairly early, for me. I had a lovely night's sleep and awoke before my alarm, ready to greet Paul, as he finished up his morning workout on the elliptical. I sat in my usual easy chair, checked my email on my iPad...the usual routine.
A few minutes later, I can smell the coffee Paul had started brewing, and I ventured into the kitchen to pour a cup. On the way, I'm distracted by an aging vase of flowers and decide it's time to throw them out, so I take them into the kitchen to discard them. I break the stems and stuff them into the trash can, as a few stray petals fall to the floor. I bend over to pick up those uncooperative flower bits, and SNAP...my back goes out. Of all the ^}>€~<{*# things to happen!
Next time the flowers die alone and desperate, while someone else cleans up that mess.
Regarding my chemo recuperation, all continues well. I slept most of the day, but that was due to the muscle relaxant my oncologist said I could take for my back. Probably for the best.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
So far, so good
Lots of napping today, but I did manage to get the boys' birthday party planned. No other uncomfortable side effects yet, and my head has stopped itching!
I forgot to mention this yesterday, but when I talked to my oncologist, he confirmed that I will have a scan scheduled after the third chemo next month to check on the effectiveness of the treatments so far. He also told me his sister was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. For a few poignant moments, we forgot the doctor-patient relationship and simply related as human beings. A real gift.
I forgot to mention this yesterday, but when I talked to my oncologist, he confirmed that I will have a scan scheduled after the third chemo next month to check on the effectiveness of the treatments so far. He also told me his sister was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. For a few poignant moments, we forgot the doctor-patient relationship and simply related as human beings. A real gift.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
And I feel fine
My second chemo went very well today. This time it only took seven hours, instead of eight. So far, so good with the side effects. I'm nodding off between sentences, so I'm heading to bed. More tomorrow...or maybe later tonight when the steroids take over.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Queen for a day
In a bizarre sort of way, I'm looking forward to my next chemo session tomorrow morning. It's not quite a day at the spa, but it is a day focused on me. I can sit in my comfy chair and watch tv or surf the net or read or nap, while people bring me things.
I do, of course, wonder how things are going to go. Each progressive session has the possibility of exacerbated side effects. But, I also have faith that I'll have the tools to get through what comes my way.
I visited my dermatologist today, and she has prescribed a steroid foam for my itchy head. The pharmacy had to order it, so I won't be able to try it until tomorrow. I'm looking forward to that great big bolus of Benadryl they'll drip into me in the morning. Better living through pharmacology.
As a treat for myself, today I bought a few more soft jersey caps for my head, and then the coup de grace, I went to Charming Charlie, a massive accessories store, and bought all sorts of big out-of-character earrings, scarves, and brooches for my new look. If I could have figured out how to use it, I would have bought a tiara too.
Now, I must go to bed. I need my beauty sleep for tomorrow.
P.S.
I had another blood draw this morning, but the "Master" was nowhere to be found. Still was a pretty good stick...but not nearly as entertaining.
I do, of course, wonder how things are going to go. Each progressive session has the possibility of exacerbated side effects. But, I also have faith that I'll have the tools to get through what comes my way.
I visited my dermatologist today, and she has prescribed a steroid foam for my itchy head. The pharmacy had to order it, so I won't be able to try it until tomorrow. I'm looking forward to that great big bolus of Benadryl they'll drip into me in the morning. Better living through pharmacology.
As a treat for myself, today I bought a few more soft jersey caps for my head, and then the coup de grace, I went to Charming Charlie, a massive accessories store, and bought all sorts of big out-of-character earrings, scarves, and brooches for my new look. If I could have figured out how to use it, I would have bought a tiara too.
Now, I must go to bed. I need my beauty sleep for tomorrow.
P.S.
I had another blood draw this morning, but the "Master" was nowhere to be found. Still was a pretty good stick...but not nearly as entertaining.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Can you please connect me to the complaints department?
All day yesterday and this morning, I've been thinking about what I would write for this post, and profound words escape me. That's because all I can think about is my itchy shedding head. My wig itches, my hat itches, even uncovered, my head just plain itches! I can't wait to become totally bald.
However, I remind myself that loosing my hair is evidence that the chemo is doing what it is supposed to do, attacking and destroying fast growing cells. Dying hair cells are merely collateral damage from the real battle within, zapping the DNA of those fast growing cancer cells.
But right now, I just feel like complaining.
However, I remind myself that loosing my hair is evidence that the chemo is doing what it is supposed to do, attacking and destroying fast growing cells. Dying hair cells are merely collateral damage from the real battle within, zapping the DNA of those fast growing cancer cells.
But right now, I just feel like complaining.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Briefly, I had a mohawk
A weight has been lifted from my shoulders, literally. My 19 year-old niece Bailey shaved my head this morning. I can't believe how great it feels! So liberating. Actually, it's more of a crew cut than a shave, and I have to admit, I kinda like the look.
Here I am with Bailey.
And here I am with with my wig.
Sometimes, the most unexpected, loveliest moments come your way and you don't realize how special they are until they pass. This morning as I'm about to leave my mother's house so I could meet my niece at 9:00 for my head shaving, I noticed Paul putting on his shoes. "You coming with me?" I asked. "Yep. Showing my support," he answered.
We arrive at my brother's house, where my English friend Debbie is also staying. They'd prepared a chair for me in the kitchen. I thought we'd do it outside so we wouldn't have to worry where the hair went. "Oh no," says my sister-in-law Sha, "it's too cold out there." Sha has a beautiful home about which she is rightfully particular. To have my hair scattered all over her kitchen is a great privilege.
As I looked around the room, Paul, my brother Kenneth, Sha and Debbie surrounded me as Bailey began the first cuts. They were even taking video and pictures, documenting this particular moment in my journey, as chunks of my hair began hitting the floor. "Give her a Mohawk first," Paul joked. Bailey complied, briefly.
When completed, Sha exclaims, "Wow, you've got a nice round head. I always thought that was just all your hair." She hands me a mirror for my first look. Amazing, I think. I like it.
Only later today, did it dawn on me that in my life I will never again have so momentous a haircut, in a room full of such encouragement and love. In my near baldness, I am transformed...uplifted...free!
 |
| The new me |
 |
| My niece and head shaver extraordinaire |
And here I am with with my wig.
 |
| The other new me |
We arrive at my brother's house, where my English friend Debbie is also staying. They'd prepared a chair for me in the kitchen. I thought we'd do it outside so we wouldn't have to worry where the hair went. "Oh no," says my sister-in-law Sha, "it's too cold out there." Sha has a beautiful home about which she is rightfully particular. To have my hair scattered all over her kitchen is a great privilege.
As I looked around the room, Paul, my brother Kenneth, Sha and Debbie surrounded me as Bailey began the first cuts. They were even taking video and pictures, documenting this particular moment in my journey, as chunks of my hair began hitting the floor. "Give her a Mohawk first," Paul joked. Bailey complied, briefly.
When completed, Sha exclaims, "Wow, you've got a nice round head. I always thought that was just all your hair." She hands me a mirror for my first look. Amazing, I think. I like it.
Only later today, did it dawn on me that in my life I will never again have so momentous a haircut, in a room full of such encouragement and love. In my near baldness, I am transformed...uplifted...free!
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