Well, here we are....Lucas and a (nearly) bald me wrapped in my favorite old comforter, which Beetle now chews holes in and we keep patching up, on the worst chemo week so far. This was a few weeks ago when I got my fourth (and last) dose of the wretched AC cocktail (Adriamycin + Cytoxin) of chemo drugs. This week I am finally at the half-way chemo mark and it is hopefully downhill from here on out. The AC was administered as a massive dose on a bi-weekly basis, which took me out for about 7-10 days at a time, forced my body to regenerate a new digestive system after each dose, and reduced my mental abilities to those of a dumb blond who can't manage to color coordinate her Chihuahua's outfits. With the Taxol, J and I decided it might be best to opt for the 12 doses administered once a week program as opposed to the 4 doses administered bi-weekly version. Spreading it out over 12 doses is supposed to be as effective, but much easier to handle physically. They were right, it is significantly better in terms of side effects. With the first dose I still felt very run down from the cumulative effects of AC and had one day in which I couldn't make it up the the stairs without wanting to pass out, but this week I have begun to feel much better. I hardly had symptoms with dose #2 and it feels that my mental and physical energy are on the up. Best of all, I can eat again! And just in time too because I had to start wearing belts to hold up my pants after dose #4 of AC.
So, it is time for me to begin to rejoin the world of the living in some small way every week. This week I'm trying to go for two daily walks with Beetle and take yoga classes consistently. With the AC I had been doing these things when I felt well, but now I'm going to try to build my daily schedule around them. I've also got to get back in touch with friends and start to get the intellectual part of my brain going again - matching Chihuahua outfits or bust!
OK, we're off to the park to walk Beetle and have a picnic dinner of Ani's raw food versions of noodles with marinara.
5 comments:
We continue to send good thoughts from over the hill here...get in touch when you feel up to some company!
Isn't it nice that you have someone to take pics of you when you are sleeping? Glad your feeling better!
I'm glad to hear from you, please take care and let us know if anyone from your SC friends and family can do anything to help.
This includes sending baked goods and knits.
Wonderful to hear that the halfway mark is upon you. Natasha loved the pictures of the animals! We are wishing you well and looking forward to seeing you when you are ready.
Much love,
Elizabeth and Natasha
Good thoughts indeed! And don't think I've forgotten about the legion of cancer fighting microscopic warriors that are release with each Hug Atttttttaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack (virtual or real).
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