Life's Journey

Roy and I enjoyed a nice weekend with family.  His mom and grandma came in town to spend the weekend with us and to keep me company in chemo yesterday.  My mom joined us for brunch on Sunday and spent the afternoon together.  It was a beautiful weekend. 

My blood work came back good for chemo on Monday.  Unfortunately they are still not in the normal range so I will need to continue with the Neupogen shots to avoid another crash.  I'm not looking forward to starting those up again today... sigh.  But, if it helps get me through this then I'll suck it up and do what I have to do.  Damn it cancer sucks!  My stomach has been an absolute mess.  I spend hours at a time in the bathroom.  It seems that it only take a meal a matter of minutes to go right through me anymore - it does not encourage eating.  Yesterday during chemo my stomach turned on me - made the day much harder.  But it gave me the opportunity to talk to the nurses about it.  They told me to eat a few bites of things throughout the day rather than trying to sit down and eat a meal.  They also told me things to try to eat: bananas, rice, broth, crackers, peanut butter...  things that will maybe help my tummy retain some nutrients.  Yesterday was the longest day of chemo yet 8:00a - 4:00p and it hit me the hardest.  I slept a little when we first got home  I came down to join everyone for dinner.  I ate about a half a cup of white rice and was in the bathroom about 30 minutes later.  I felt awful.  I'm also starting to find it harder to get to sleep.  Last night I was so tired but when I layed in bed I tossed and turned for hours.  It's like my body won't relax, I think I finally understand what "restless legs" means.  It's not fun.  Today has been a better day so far.  I woke up extremely nauseas, took a pill and a piece of toast and am feeling better.  I made myself a fruit, protien smoothie this morning that came out pretty good: 2 bananas, strawberry yogurt, strawberry carnation instant breakfast, vanilla protien (2 scoops), ice and a little water.  Mmmm mmmm good!  But, it's going to take me all day to drink it. 

It was so nice to have Roy's mom and grandma out for a few days.  They did so much for us while they were here, cooking meals, cleaning up, and lots of smiles.  I'm lucky to have such wonderful family surrounding me through this - I couldn't do it without them.

Today I have radiation treatment and an appointment with the radiologist - I know we won't really know if this is working until the end, but I'm hopeful that he can give me a glimpse of hope today.  Then I am getting my first Neupogen shot of the week.  Here's hoping this week gets better!    Just have to keep on smiling and pushing through....  xoxo