Chemo Treatment 1B – √

I woke up this morning, feeling pretty darn good.

A bold move, I realize, but true is true, right?  Hopefully this will give you complete comfort that I am keepin’ it real!

I was so pleased that I didn’t feel sick at all! Praise God!  I think it also helped to know that Chemo Day 1A wasn’t too bad.  I slept well, had a pretty good idea of what to expect in the Infusion room and today would be a much shorter visit.  (All upcoming Chemo visits will be only one day apiece, but the first visit is extended over a 2-day period, so docs can watch to see how my body tolerates the treatment.)

Taking my doctors’ advice to heart, I am trying to get a walk in every day, even when I don’t feel like it.  Blood circulating through my veins is very good in processing the medication.  I had pre-planned with my Prayer Posse (PP’s) that we would gather on Tuesday, since its our regular day, so long as I could muster up the strength…and of course, I did! So my gals (minus Karen, who’s celebrating her twin sons’ graduation from graduate school in Europe, rough assignment, but someone’s gotta do it!) met at my house and we did a short walk around the upper back bay.  It was a beautiful morning, a great time of sharing and praying for each other and the perfect way to start my day!

After returning home, it was time to shower, pack up and get on over to the treatment center with my entourage in Orange. (All future Chemos will be in Laguna Hills…I don’t think Orange will be sad to see us go…our group takes up quite a big chunk of the waiting room hahah!)

Going to treatment wasn’t nearly as nerve-wracking as it was yesterday.  I knew what to expect, I felt good, and today would only be a few hours, as compared to the 6 hours yesterday.   A quick check-up with the PA, and into treatment I went.  A little Benadryl added to my IV drip made me pretty sleepy and before I knew it, I was done.

This time however, they added a Nulasta shot, which is to promote white blood cell growth to protect me from infection.  Supposedly, I may experience some side effects, that feel like a tooth ache, or growing pains (well I am no stranger to growing pains!  Since I was almost my full height at age 13, you can only imagine how I felt like I slept on a medieval stretching rack as a kid.) Another opportunity for hope in the days to come!

The rest of the day was delightfully uneventful.  While Sarah and Val frolicked on the beach, Greg and the rest of us gals went to have a bite to eat at the delicious “Burger Lounge” where we feasted on organic, grain-fed Turkey burgers! Yum!  Shortly after we returned home at about 7:45, I fell asleep on my bed next to my precious daughter.  Chemo Day 2 is over!! PRAISE GOD!

1 down, 5 to go!!