Sometimes we wish for sunshine but
instead find ourselves jumping in (not over) the puddles, getting
soakers (and liking it) and remembering how good warm rain feels on our
bare legs. That is kind of how my post-chemo weekend went.
Thursday's "round three special" went just fine, made even better by my first class companion, Karen. She brought me broccoli cheddar soup. Good, comforting, pre-chemo nourishment, I thought. Further endorsed by my assigned nurse who had just returned from her lunch of aforementioned broccoli cheddar soup. Her name was Karen too. Hmmm...Karen the nurse and Karen the friend carin' for me. This was a good sign. I remarked to Karen (my friend) that I hoped we'd be in and out in record time. <this is where Ellen should have knocked on wood>. Unfortunately, there was a bit of a hiccup with my pre-chemo blood work. My white blood cell count from two days prior was 0.5 and I needed a strong 1.0 to be good to go. So I had to repeat the blood work and wait 1-2 hrs in hopes of new and improved results. Karen decided this was a blessing, our having extra time to enjoy each others' company and catch up. I decided she was right. Enjoy the rain when it comes as it brings things the sun cannot.
When my blood work results came back an hour later at 1.0, we all breathed a sigh of relief. The show would go on after all!
To set the mood just right, the lovely hospital volunteer tucked me in to my recliner all cosy-like with not one, but two of those prized, heated, hospital blankets while Karen the nurse set to work prepping me for treatment. I was souped up (pun intended) and ready to go before long and 60 minutes later we were on our way home.
In the spirit of holding steadfast to my pursuit of honesty throughout this blog and well, life in general, I feel I should tell you that the days that followed this round were not my best. Not my worst, but really not fun times. I was supposed to have taken baby Imogen on her first camping trip this past weekend. I have a special campsite that I've taken each of my kids to the first June of their lives, just them and mommy (and some of mommy's friends). I even have a special rock I like to perch on while staring out at the lake, and I had really hoped I could still make this trip happen for Imogen and me. I guess it was mid-day on Saturday when I finally accepted that it was probably not best to venture out. But you know what? My oldest friend took her toddler on his first camping trip in our place! This makes me so happy, much like I was when this photo was taken of me during last year's trip.
So what kept us from going?
It's funny, I initially felt fine for several hours post-treatment, but late Thursday evening a slow, steady pulse of uneasiness started to creep through my limbs, bringing with it a cloud of nausea that refused to settle. I found I couldn't eat at all, not for lack of appetite or wanting, but rather due to the strangest feeling that my stomach had just closed up shop for the season. This trend carried on for three days. Even my former friend, water, turned on me, not daring to venture in but to briefly kiss my lips. Not surprisingly, I became terribly lethargic, trying to balance rest with hydration and more anti-nauseals, coming up for air in the form of an occasional saltine. If I had been able to hold down food it would have been rejected, such was the state of my poor tum tum. And then, like the clouds that had sneakily settled in over the weekend, those symptoms disappeared, and the sun and my appetite returned in unison on Monday. By Monday night I was on the mend and as of today, I'm happy to report I am back to 99% energy and 150% appetite. We celebrated with Greek on Wheels!
And wouldn't you know it, it rained all day today. Then the clouds and sun fought a most valiant fight at dusk. Who do you think won?
Blessing report:
This beautiful earth we live on, and all of the people we are honoured to share it with.
My safe, serene Canada.
Rainy days and sun days.
Ellen
Thursday's "round three special" went just fine, made even better by my first class companion, Karen. She brought me broccoli cheddar soup. Good, comforting, pre-chemo nourishment, I thought. Further endorsed by my assigned nurse who had just returned from her lunch of aforementioned broccoli cheddar soup. Her name was Karen too. Hmmm...Karen the nurse and Karen the friend carin' for me. This was a good sign. I remarked to Karen (my friend) that I hoped we'd be in and out in record time. <this is where Ellen should have knocked on wood>. Unfortunately, there was a bit of a hiccup with my pre-chemo blood work. My white blood cell count from two days prior was 0.5 and I needed a strong 1.0 to be good to go. So I had to repeat the blood work and wait 1-2 hrs in hopes of new and improved results. Karen decided this was a blessing, our having extra time to enjoy each others' company and catch up. I decided she was right. Enjoy the rain when it comes as it brings things the sun cannot.
 | |||
|
To set the mood just right, the lovely hospital volunteer tucked me in to my recliner all cosy-like with not one, but two of those prized, heated, hospital blankets while Karen the nurse set to work prepping me for treatment. I was souped up (pun intended) and ready to go before long and 60 minutes later we were on our way home.
In the spirit of holding steadfast to my pursuit of honesty throughout this blog and well, life in general, I feel I should tell you that the days that followed this round were not my best. Not my worst, but really not fun times. I was supposed to have taken baby Imogen on her first camping trip this past weekend. I have a special campsite that I've taken each of my kids to the first June of their lives, just them and mommy (and some of mommy's friends). I even have a special rock I like to perch on while staring out at the lake, and I had really hoped I could still make this trip happen for Imogen and me. I guess it was mid-day on Saturday when I finally accepted that it was probably not best to venture out. But you know what? My oldest friend took her toddler on his first camping trip in our place! This makes me so happy, much like I was when this photo was taken of me during last year's trip.
 |
| My rock |
It's funny, I initially felt fine for several hours post-treatment, but late Thursday evening a slow, steady pulse of uneasiness started to creep through my limbs, bringing with it a cloud of nausea that refused to settle. I found I couldn't eat at all, not for lack of appetite or wanting, but rather due to the strangest feeling that my stomach had just closed up shop for the season. This trend carried on for three days. Even my former friend, water, turned on me, not daring to venture in but to briefly kiss my lips. Not surprisingly, I became terribly lethargic, trying to balance rest with hydration and more anti-nauseals, coming up for air in the form of an occasional saltine. If I had been able to hold down food it would have been rejected, such was the state of my poor tum tum. And then, like the clouds that had sneakily settled in over the weekend, those symptoms disappeared, and the sun and my appetite returned in unison on Monday. By Monday night I was on the mend and as of today, I'm happy to report I am back to 99% energy and 150% appetite. We celebrated with Greek on Wheels!
 |
| "I PITA the fool that doesn't enjoy Greek on Wheels!" |
And wouldn't you know it, it rained all day today. Then the clouds and sun fought a most valiant fight at dusk. Who do you think won?
Blessing report:
This beautiful earth we live on, and all of the people we are honoured to share it with.
My safe, serene Canada.
Rainy days and sun days.
Ellen
We'll be back at Taylor Lake next year, as it should be my dear!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad the queasies didn't last too long. You are kicking ass at this.
Lots of love from the west coast
I'm glad the nausea was short lived. You are weathering this storm with such strength and grace.
ReplyDeletexo