I'm feeling more and more side effects from the chemo. I have literally slept away the last two weeks. My hands are starting to have pins and needles - something Doc Clemons told me to watch out for as it can become permanent in young patients (that includes me, despite what my children think). While it is annoying and mildly painful, I still perfer the Toxal over the AC as there is no nausea with this stuff - and my hair seems to be starting to grow back:) I'm giving in to the fatigue and trying not to be frustrated by days that seem to me to be wasted - I'm focusing on the healing that my body does when I sleep and trying to keep in mind that this is temporary. I can imagine being back at work for about a week before I start longing for these sleeping days again.
Chemo round 6 was relatively uneventful. No adverse reactions during treatment - and in fact a nice surprise for me. Do you remember the lovely lady who came over to me in the waiting area to tell me that I looked great? She was there with her daughter for her first chemo treatment and her name is Paule. I met her again during my last chemo!
I was lying on my bed, half reading and half sleeping when Paule approached me. "Hi, I don't know if you remember....." "Paule! Of course I remember you." I want everyone to pause and consider that not only did I recognize her - now with no hair - but I actually remembered her name! Maybe sleep is helping me. (For those of you who don't know, I've never been any good with nouns - and it's embarassing beyond all get out - and obvious to those who work with me regularly and have to give me all sorts of clues until I can figure out which person we're talking about) She couldn't believe that I would recognize her and remember her name. Paule is a photographer and she is putting on a show at the Elizabeth Bruyere Centre of her journey through cancer. The opening night is March 23 and she is supposed to send me an electronic invitation that I can post on the blog. Paule asked if she could take my picture b/c she told everyone about me apparently but didn't have the chance to take a photo. Sure! Silly me, I was thinking a shot or two, but Paule sat and chatted with me and must have taken a hundred photos! It was too funny. We'd chat and then suddenly she whip out the camera and take a bunch of shots then put it away and chat some more and then do it all over again. I won't be in the upcoming show as her photos are all already selected, but I can't wait to see what she has taken photos of. Quite amazing and inspirational.
Chemo Round 7 this Friday. Doc Clemons is away for the week so I have to see Doc Verma on Thursday instead. Bummer - I look forward to sparring with Clemons. I'm going to schedule PICC removal for April 2 - the first day possible after my last chemo - I cannot wait to get this thing out of my arm. It's driving me crazy!
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