Labor Day

So, I guess my internal clock thought I was going to work in Centreville today because at 4:00 am. I am awake.   I waited until closer to 5:00 to get up but just laid in bed and had lots of thoughts running through it.  I feel pretty darn good so I guess taking it easy Sunday was a good thing.  We are headed to Mishawaka today - I am going to JC Penney to get a few things for the house to try and finish up my remodeling from the bathroom and the kitchen/dining room.  First time I will be out since my bald head and I just need to get over it and not worry about the looks.  Obviously, people know I am doing chemo or at least that is what I assume when I see a bald headed lady.  :-)   We will pick up our season supply of tailgate stuff, plates, plastic ware, etc. and even though we are only going to a few of them this year, they will not go to waste and I can use the items for holidays, etc. as well.   I have no side effects happening right now but have figured out that the Ativan (which I take for an nausea) knocks me out.  The last two nights I have taken one after eating supper just because my stomach is not quite right and Andi (my chemo nurse) said take an Ativan at the very first sign of any nausea and the next thing I know - I am sound asleep waking up like about 10:00.  It works great on my stomach and is a nice sleeping pill too.  I just need to remember NOT to take it right before I get in the car to drive somewhere. 

I am hopeful for a good day all day and back to work tomorrow.  I have an appointment on Friday with Dr. Zon because she is out of town next week before my chemo.  Not much else happening - and trust me - that is a Good Thing.

Not Much Up

So, it is Sunday and day 3 after my 2nd chemo treatment.  I can honestly say not much is going on.  I do have a numb feeling about 6" below my port and not sure what that is from.  The stubble I have on my head is now falling out so soon I will have a smooth head and I have been taking it easy not really doing much.

I am just about ready to get up and clean out the fridge, dust the floors and do just a little of something to get myself moving.  I am being careful with my food not going goofy and so far so good - no diarrhea which my doctor was not happy I had last time and doesn't want me to have this time.  Lose too much hydration.

The day is beautiful so just about 11:00 a.m. I will make my move to become a little more busy. 

Just Never Know

I have been up since about 5:30 a.m. and feeling pretty darn good. No headache or nausea this time around. Almost strange and don't want to say it too loud. Of course, last time I was on the clinic trial medication for nausea and found out it was a placebo so I was virtually on nothing. This time I took an Ativan Thursday night and one Friday morning along with the one pill Emend and one more Emend today. Then I took a Tylenol 500 mg Thursday evening and another Friday morning at the first sign of a slight headache. So far the changes are helping ALOT. I could have gone to work yesterday with no problem. I am not going to push it though because just about the time I post this - some side effect could raise it's ugly head and bit me in the butt. So, I will take it easy, do a few things around the house, drink lots of fluids, and go for a short walk to keep me fit. I have already lost a pound but don't really think I will have the same tummy issues - I have NO cravings and actually nothing really sounds good.   It is football day so that will take my mind off all the other things - except the fact we are not at the game.  :-)

Being Cautious

I slept in until almost 5:00 and got up carefully. So far no stomach issues or headache. Had a cup of coffee sipped slowly and drinking water too for flushing purposes of chemo. Need to drink lots to keep one of the drugs from crystalizing and causing great pain when I pee. I am not a glutten for punishment so I will drink!

Will go to Niles with Joe to get my Neulasta shot and then just kick back and get ready for football on Saturday. I will not be doing any tailgate food for anyone - sorry guys!

So Far So Good

Been home about 4 hours since finishing treatment. I am beginning to get a dull headache like last time. No stomach problems so far. Joe went to pick up the Emend pills for nausea and Rite Aid had no order sent in so I will have to call first thing in the morning and try to get that medication. I will take 1 pill Friday morning and 1 pill Saturday morning - expensive so usually people with coverage get it. Neulasta shot at 9:00 a.m. in the morning too so can get it done and then be home for the rest of the day.

Did find out I had a placebo for the Mayo Clinic Trial so my not too bad nausea and much better with Ativan was because I was not on any medication. Dr. Zon laughed because I did so well without anything. Blood work was all "excellent" and chemo was faster. I know everything to do and have not as much anxiety. Half way thourgh this cycle......

2nd Time Around

I sit and anticipate what the day will bring. Since this is my 2nd chemo I know the routine already, but just enough time has passed that I don't have a strong memory of how crappy I felt so again I am thinking maybe I will feel better this time and it really wasn't that bad. I am still amazed how fast the human body wants to repair itself and rid the chemicals and start making good cells. That is really a good thing. So about 10:15 we will head back to South Bend to Navarre Place, I will see Dr. Zon after I have my IV put in, have some blood work done, and then snuggle in for the afternoon of drips and pushes. I made a pan of smashed potatoes and put them in the fridge knowing I had a strong craving for them last time. I know I will be out of sorts for at least several days and the goal is not to throw up. Such simple things in life are important - like a day with no vomit. At least I know I will not be able to work Friday - I am going in early this morning to help make up some of that lost time. Pay week so I need to process payroll for staff.

And of course, the other thing I have to do is figure out what the heck to put on my head. I did order a couple crusher hats so I can just plop them over my head - black and khaki - simple and kinda cute. The looks I am getting are priceless and no one says a thing. But in reality - what are they suppose to say? :-)

Just Another Day

It is interesting how until I see my reflection in a window or in a mirror I don't really think about my head. I wore a turban to work yesterday and it matched my outfit perfectly. It was okay inside in the air conditioning but outside way too warm. As soon as I left work at 4:00 I pulled off my head apparel and let the wind whipping through my scalp. I did get a few weird looks but overall it felt great.

I do believe I will be able to go headwearless (is that a word?) and only use a hat or scarf for warmth purposes and not to cover up. Also use it as a fashion statement. It definitely makes getting ready for work more streamlined except I do pay more attention to my makeup since my face is so out there.

Tomorrow is chemo again so I will start my cycle all over again. I have no real opinion one way or another because I have no choice. I am back to "let's just get it over". In the meantime, I will seize the day and enjoy even if it is rainy and gray.