2nd Week of Recovery

Feeling good! I feel even better than last week. This past weekend I even cleaned the kitchen floor! It took forever because I had to keep sitting down to take a break, but I got it done and felt good about it. I'm also happy to report that my brain is back in gear. I cannot believe how much work I've been able to get done this week! I even worked on my graduate studies this past weekend and accomplished quite a bit. I'm eating more too (darn!). The one strange thing through all of this is that the only thing that tasted really good during treatment and I still crave are red Swedish fish. I expected to not get hungry for the foods that tasted bad during treatment, but I also have no desire for some of the other things that tasted alright during treatment. So, while I'm eating more, the things I'm interested in eating are on a short list. Luckily, watermelon is on the short list!

There are only three things that still need to clear up: 1) my taste buds for salt are on overdrive; 2) the rash and itching aren't quite gone; and 3) the sinus pressure has gotten worse. I finally made an appointment with the family doctor for tomorrow to get something to clear up this sinus thing. I think that having that pressure gone will make the biggest difference! I do still get tired, but not like I did during treatment. I can tell that I'm at the end of a work week too. I'm starting to drag. Some of that could be from the sinus thing though.

On Monday I had bloodwork done and all the numbers continue to climb - a good thing. I also delivered a bouquet of roses and a thank you card for everyone at the cancer center. I took along the little individual capsules of water so everyone could each take a rose home with them. Today I got a thank you card from the oncology nurses! I was glad to hear how much they enjoyed the flowers, and I just hope they realize how much I appreciate them.

19th & Last Treatment!

How great to finally make it to the last treatment! My hubby and I practically had the treatment room to ourselves, and I was the last patient there by the time my treatment was over. The nurses collected hole punch "dots" and celebrated with us by tossing them in the air as confetti, and they gave me a Purple Heart certificate. They really made this as doable as it possibly could be by being sincerely caring and attentive. I cannot say enough about the nurses. They seemed to get to know each and every patient, and everyone was on a first name basis. It was as pleasant a place as it could be considering why I went there every day.

The treatment itself was just as all the others. We stopped and got a butterscotch krimpet to celebrate on the way home. It tasted a little overly sweet, but not too bad. I stayed awake (sort of) long enough to say goodbye to my oldest son when he left for the airport to head back home. Then that was it. I pretty much slept the rest of the night. My stomach was unsettled again, but a Compazine eventually settled it down enough so I could finish off a glass of Gatorade.

Saturday I slept in and woke up feeling light-headed and with an unsettled stomach (so what's new). I realize that it's going to take awhile to feel good again, but just knowing that I don't have to go back for another treatment on Monday morning makes this the best weekend in awhile. I still have that weird taste in my mouth, but cantaloupe tasted almost normal while I tasted the pickles in potato salad and too much salt with potato chips. Even a grilled cheese sandwich, which sounded good, ended up tasting too salty. The Ensure drink for breakfast is the best thing I've found to start my day - I almost look forward to it because I know it's going to taste good.

Sunday I'm still trying to get my head to stop floating, so I've been laying around a lot. My motivation level is still at zero, although I've been able to do some leisurely reading. I've noticed that the lymph nodes in the back of my head are swollen, and I'm not sure if that's something that I need to call the doctor about or not. I'll probably wait till tomorrow and just let her know in case it actually matters. I still have the rash, but it's not getting any worse. The best part about today is that I don't have to go for treatment tomorrow - have I mentioned that already?!

19 done, none to go!!