I've come to the conclusion that the middle week of my chemo cycle is the best. I think I'm so thrilled to be coming out of the fog that even the bone pain can't get me down. Slow me down, yes, but not get me down. I remind myself that the neulasta is doing it's job, regenerating those white blood cells and hopefully keeping more bad stuff at bay.
However, the bone pain did drag out a bit more this time. The ibuprofen did make it bearable, but it was around for 2 or 3 days. I made it to the mall for my morning walk with Robin and Heidi on Monday, but that was it for the week. I had a lousy sleep Monday night with a middle of the night hot tubby (yeah, bone pain) so caught up on my sleep instead of walking. Wednesday we decided to take in the free morning movie at the Regal with the B's, so that was my excuse for not walking, and Thursday we were packing for our overnight to Rehoboth. That was a lame excuse, I know!
We drove to Rehoboth for an overnight with several people from our church. Elise and her family have spent summers there for forever, and they were our hosts. Two vehicles and a total of 9 of us joined them for a night and beach day, which didn't meet expectations due to the rain. Yeah, the rain that started up again as we were loading the car to leave, and hit yet again, with full force, after our pizza dinner on the boardwalk. Just bad timing and a prelude to more adventures on Friday the 13th. It was still a lot of fun and gave us some great stories to tell!
Marc was in India last week and had arrived home by the time we got back Friday night. Both of us noticed upon waking Saturday that our eyes were kind of gunked up. We attributed it to the open windows and possible pollen or some other sort of allergens, though neither of us are prone to seasonal allergies. Mine continued and seemed to get worse, so today, I visited my doctor, to determine whether or not it might be pink eye. Just what I need right now!
After walking with Robin this morning (4 for 4 this week) I called my doctor's office and they offered a 10:00 appointment. It was already 9:15, so I raced home, showered, dressed and headed back out the door. A benefit of no hair on my head and super slow growth on my legs and pits is how very fast I can shower and be ready. Add to this the fact that I'm wearing no eye make up because of the constant tearing and gunk (no itching or swelling I might add!) and I had no problem getting to the doctor's office on time.
He wasn't 100% sure that it was pink eye, pretty much eliminated allergies, and gave me a prescription for antibiotic drops, which I'm administering every 4 hours. I've only done it 3 times so far, and haven't noticed a difference yet. It should take at least a day, I've been told, and I must continue the drops for 5 days.
Now Marc's eyes aren't bothering him anymore, so we're not sure what that means. Is my immune system in its somewhat compromised state unable to fight this off on its own? Dunno. We'll see what the drops do.
This week has been mostly about cleaning Gab's room and readying for this weekend's yard sale that she and her friend Claire are holding at Claire's house. That and yard work, birthday parties, build & grow at Lowes, big concert for Nick, and catching up with friends we hadn't seen much of this summer.
And being cared for. In so many ways.
The week of my second chemotherapy I received a package in the mail from Jean, the lady who was at Annmarie's when she gave me my beautiful haircut. This is what was in it:
Jean and I are are now FB friends and looking forward to a shared appointment at Annmarie's sometime at the end of the year, when I hopefully have some hair for her to work with!
Last Tuesday FedEx was at the door early in the morning with a package from my cousin Darren and his family in NYC.
More beautiful head gear! These I have to fight Gaby for. I must admit they do look good on her. Really good! I like them as an alternative to scarves. Something different. And they're quick, for when someone comes to the door unexpectedly and I don't want to scare them with the Kojak look, especially if I don't know who it is!
That's exactly what happened on Wednesday. There was a knock at the door and the kids and Roxi answered it. I scrambled to put something on my head and was met by Maria and two quarts of Rita's! Awesome, and perfect for the heat and humidity that's been our summer, and for me, with my 'compromised' appetite. Most things just don't taste good, but I can't go wrong with water ice. Black cherry and tangerine. Yum!
Returning from Rehoboth late Friday night, I had to wait til Saturday morning to pick up the held mail. There was a card from Cathy (and Kathy, I didn't properly acknowledge your card, as I gave credit to Cathy instead! you two kind of go together in my mind, but I know I mentioned the wrong Kathy/Cathy last time, so thanks to both of you!) and a package from Jasmine. A variety of Arbonne skin care products to use on my delicate skin. Fabulous Jaz!
During chemo, one is supposed to take extra special care to moisturize and protect, and Jasmine is an expect in that field, so she sent some goodies for me to try out. It's too bad you're all the way over in Utah Jasmine, as I could use some eyelashes. The brows are still holding on, but the lashes are pretty short and sparse. Which might be a good thing right now with this conjunctivitis thing going on!
Because my eyes were already bothering me when this arrived, I've yet to try it. I'm chomping at the bit to get my eyes healed so I can use it.
Kathy had contacted me last week about bringing over another dinner. After the last meal she blessed us with, I wasn't about to refuse, so we agreed on Sunday. Check out the spread she and Ashley delivered!
Spaghetti and meatballs, bread, salad with extra veggies from the garden and pizzelles. Kathy said she had to hide the pizzelles she was saving for us. Oh so good! And a bottle of wine, which I'll save to celebrate the end of chemo. Since the fog the chemo brings feels similar to having consumed 'one too many', I don't want to intensify that feeling right now.
Anne delivered a delicious dinner on Monday. We were still enjoying Kathy's dinner that day and for a lunch or two, so I'm not surprised that the food that Anne brought was still part of today's dinner. Every meal that we've been fortunate to receive has been good for at least two dinners and a lunch here and there.
Fruit salad, green salad, banana bread, turkey and couscous. So much and so good!
Yesterday afternoon, shortly after hearing the UPS truck, I asked Gaby to check out front to see what the man in brown had left. To her surprise and mine, there was a goodie bag between the doors, from Heidi and Kait.
An assortment of snacks, cheese, crackers, apples, cookies, caramel corn and chocolate covered cherries. What a lovely and delicious surprise! Gaby claimed the popcorn.
A card from Jill was also in yesterday's mail, and my Aunt Lorette sent a card all the way from North Pender Island. Just because the mantel's full doesn't mean we're not finding a way to enjoy all of the cards and their beautiful sentiments. It's always so nice to receive them -- I'm very thankful and very blessed.
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