Hi, Everybody!

Well, time to get my big girl hat and boots on and get ready for chemo. I start on Monday. I went this week to a training session, where they made sure I was aware of all the possible side-effects, and what to do about some of them. Things to watch out for and such.

They gave me a tour of the area. They showed me where the coffee pots are Very important when you have to go early in the AM (they also have several choices of tea for Marcus) plus there are snacks and some of those little packets of water flavorings. And they have portable CD players with quite a stack of CDs. I have some music already selected for myself, but now I won’t have to drag along a player. That’s helpful.

I have to go in early to get my blood tested, to make sure my hemoglobin is high enough to withstand the chemo, then I get a shot that’s supposed to help with the nausea (let’s keep our fingers crossed on that one too!), then a short visit with the DR and then on to the Infusion room for the next 2-4 hours.

I go back the next day for a shot that will help my system rebuild by white blood cells, and if my red cell count gets too low, then I have to go on a special diet. I’ve heard that red meat is not tolerated well by the digestive system during chemo, so I’m having steak for dinner tomorrow!! And then I’ll probably leave it alone for the next several months. No sense aggravating an already rough situation with a known agitant.

I don’t think I’ve updated since I made my definite decision to take part in the clinical trial. I weighed all the possible side-effects that were already listed with the drugs I’ll already be taking, and there are only a couple extras. And while it could increase the risks of some of the duplicated side-effects, I really think it is a good choice. With my history, I know that I’m probably in a higher risk for having the cancer return, even tho they have really cut those total odds tremendously, it still is a possibility. So I really feel I have to do the extra step to ensure I’ve done all I can to safeguard against it.

I was going to have a genetic study done to see if I definitely carry the gene mutation identified for breast cancer, which would give a heads up for all the other females in my family, but unfortunately, with the state insurance I have, they don’t pay for out of state costs. Although they did offer me a “5 easy payment plan” several times while I continued to tell her I couldn’t possibly afford the $3800+ test! Some people just don’t listen well hahahaha

The dietician and the diabetic counselor really helped me a lot with my insulin and diet. I think I need a little more tweaking and help, but they are both very knowledgeable and willing to help me get things under control.

I really hate doing this stuff. It feels like I do nothing but focus my life around my sugar and the cancer. I’ve spent so many days and hours in meetings, conferences, reading papers given to me, finding more info online. Only to then spend the remaining time testing my sugar, giving insulin, eating, testing sugar again, resting/reading/listening, testing sugar again, eating, taking insulin, testing sugar, and taking more insulin!!! Geesh, and beginning next week, I add some more injections and time at the hospital! Anybody want to volunteer just to keep track of my schedule for me?

I started lymphedema therapy last week, and will meet with her to make sure I’m doing enough and proper exercises to keep ahead of that (oh, yeah, I forgot to add in my schedule above, that I try to walk a little every day, and do a session of stretching exercises so that I can keep the lymphedema down, and the body waking up! Whoever takes over my date book, needs to remind me to do those every day too! So, don’t think you are signing up for an easy job if you want to be my schedule keeper! Poor Marcus has his hands full, constantly reminding me of things. That reminds me, he slept thru supper, I just had some salmon salad. Yummy. But, that means even tho I remembered to test my sugar BEFORE supper, I didn’t test after, AND I didn’t take my meds!!! Geesh, I think I lost my brain somewhere, anybody find a stray one???

I have to tell you a good funny situation before I go. We decided that since after next week I may not feel like or care to eat many things, I should enjoy some special dinners this weekend, so we went out to a Chinese restaurant the other night, and to Olive Garden for lunch today. I’m not sure what the waitress said but Eric was encouraging me to eat what I wanted and not be concerned with cost or diet. Today was to be a special meal for me, and the waitress said, “Oh, what did you do to deserve a special day?” Well, I looked at each of the others, and we just couldn’t help but start giggling. Which of course puzzled her.

I told her before explaining, that she should not feel bad, because we love to get a laugh in anywhere we can, and then told her what I did to deserve the day was got cancer. We really did rush and pour out to her to not feel bad, tho you know she was very sorry, but I told her that I really did appreciate the humor in it, and that it was just too ironic to pass up. She said as long as it brings a smile to my face, she was glad to have made the blunder. I told her I was going to put it into my inspiration book, that I’ve found another silver lining to getting cancer. “I’m eating really good this weekend if nothing else!!!” hahahahaha

So, anytime any of you start feeling sorry for me, remember–before, during, and I’m sure for a while afterwards, I will get little and great perks here and there that will fill in those little gaps that make this a rough road to hoe!

Keep smiling with me, and even try to find something funny or inspirational for me to think about. I’ll add it to my book that I will be taking to my chemo treatments and reading during the week when I just don’t feel like reading anything else.

Well, I’m off to bed. I took a nap too late in the day, so am just now getting tired. And don’t worry, I’ll take my meds first

Blessings to all, and have a super weekend!

Sherry