Chemo Day 5

I tend to start out by talking about work, as that it what fills my days M-F… still busy, still waiting for the dust to settle, but still super glad to have my work, my job, to keep my mind from wandering… oh but mostly I am super blessed to work the best team ever. They are truly what makes ‘coming to work’ worth it!

This week had it’s moments, some a little rougher than others. Every so often it all seems to still be a bit overwhelming, sadness creeps in… frustration arrives, and the constant ‘am I keeping up with everything’… and ‘am I doing everything I should be’. A couple more side effects introduced themselves to me this week. Irritating… both ‘yes’! Manageable… sorta! I got this new "magic mouthwash" which is helping with my new mouth issues… however, at first it causes this bizarre sensation that you feel like your mouth is numb and swollen which makes talking a bit weird for like 30 minutes. But it’s doing it’s thing and for that I am grateful. The other one is the tenderness, soreness that has arrived in my fingers, mostly fingertips. It’s more frustrating than anything as it’s causing me to not be able do things that should be easy… like tying a knot, closing a Ziploc baggie, tearing open a package of grated cheese… or even peeling an orange. Yes there are tools, and scissors, and alternative means to doing all of these things, but still. Frustrating to say the least. I was told however, this week when sharing this with a close friend… to remember it’s temporary, and the chemo is doing it’s thing. Thanks for the reminder ‘L’!

On to some amazing gifts I received last week… all so very thoughtful, all so very special. The softest purple sparkly beanie, hand knit by the amazing NC (aka my mom)!!

The softest ‘Madewell’ shirt, and I’m honored to join the crew~thanks CB!

Home made Shepherd’s Pie and Lemon Tarts…

...soooo delicious and such a special treat~thank you SS!

And to my amazing work peeps~T, S, C~omg, I love you more than you know! VS jammies and slippers… oil diffuser with the best essential oils… Uber Eats… you obvi know me very well!

The See's Lollypops... these are the absolute best~thank you so much SB!!

And to the Friday Night "Greek Night" crew… what can I say? Dinner was amazing as always (no pics because I ate it before I thought to do so... whoops!) I miss you, and I want to thank you all, especially B & A for all you do.

As always, to those who text, call, FaceTime… priceless!

Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers. <3

Today ~

So yes, today was Chemo #5!

Significant, yes, because today was a new med… and yes, it caused a bit of anxiety leading up to today… as one never knows how one’s body will react to a drug! The meds are a little different ~ the infusion is different… so it’s the unknown that’s the cause of this anxiousness. But as always, I march myself in like a warrior, ready to show this $#%& who’s boss around here! Maybe, just maybe that has something to do with it… idk. Anyway, first I get my saline drip started like always, then my nurse started the chemo… very slowwwwly… then she checks on me in 10 minutes… all was good, so we go another 10 minutes… all good again so she set it to run it’s course which is about an hour. I left feeling good so got home, had a little lunch, and went back to work... chugging my water then walking my outdoor course, taking advantage of a lovely evening! The biggest change going forward is I’ll be getting these treatments weekly if all goes as planned… so no more ‘week off’ in between. Not that that week was a vacation, but it was a break of meds and all the other stuff ya have to do on an infusion week.

Each week is ‘one step closer’… that’s what I have to keep remembering!!

Have a great week… stay safe, stay healthy!