Chemo clouds

When I went for chemo last Tuesday, the weirdest clouds rolled in. There are big windows in the chemo room, and we were all looking at the clouds. Brad went outside and snapped a few pictures shown here.

Need a laugh?

For a good chuckle, check out this link on breastcancer.org


A Study on how we all got breast cancer

Did you bite your nails? Are you left handed? Did you eat snow?

I'm feeling much better today - fatigue and nausea are gone, just the aches from the neupogen shots are left (hopefully will be gone in the next day or two).

Sunny Sunday

Well, it's actually cloudy but I'm feeling much better. And the breeze is beautiful after the non-stop rain from the last 2 days.

Nausea is mostly gone, biggest complaint now is achey back and 'restless legs'. Does anyone else get that? I'm thinking it's probably from the Neupogen, since I had it last time too after the shots. Could also be because I don't get out walking on my bad chemo days. Happy to hear any suggestions people have, since it's annoying and hard to sleep or sit.

Have a good day!

Chemo # 3 - day 5

My energy has come up quite a bit (I can stand up straight again), but still feeling a bit nauseous. We went out for breakfast and then to the Farmer's Market. Will be a pretty quiet day. Rained and rained last night, was nice to listen to on the roof.

Chemo # 3 - day 4

Is it Friday already? I have slept most of the time since chemo on Tuesday. I am officially half way (3 down, 3 to go). I am still very weak and tired today, but I've tried to keep eating over the last couple of days so am hoping my energy comes back quickly (today would be nice). I started the neupogen injections today again (for 5 days, same as last time).

"Hate" is a strong word. I hate chemo.

Sad about Farrah Fawcett, who died yesterday after a 3 year battle with cancer.

Chemo #3 is on for tomorrow

Blood work was good today, so chemo is on for 10:30 tomorrow morning. I'm kind of down about it, but then at least I'll be halfway done after this one.

Had a busy weekend with company in from Kenora, and Carter in a track meet. The Manitoba Marathon was yesterday morning, almost 14,000 particpants. We were at the start line (bright and early), Carter was running the Super Run (2.6 miles instead of 26.2). I really hope to be running the half marathon again next year. I miss running...

My Dad (a.k.a. Grampa)

I have to share my dad's response to my last post:

"Hi Beth !! Read your blog today and saw wig pics. The last one with the short hair is a knockout !! If you dont wear it maybe I will. "

We had a picnic at 'our' park bench in Assiniboine Park last week. The bench is a memorial to my mom who passed away 19 months ago - it celebrates my mom and dad's life together. It's inscribed with both of their names and "50+ years of loving walks & memories - Forever in your kids' & grandkids' hearts".

For those of you who know my dad, you will notice there is no walker in the picture - he is walking on his own now after his 2 hip replacement surgeries in the last 11 months. He'll be 80 this year and his health just keeps improving!

It's been a good week

I walked every day. Our summer weather has finally arrived!!

Here are some pics with the wigs. My sister is modeling the fun ones. She shaved her head a couple of weeks ago to show her support for me and to get an idea of what I am going through. She is very handy with the scarves (she is the queen of accessorizing). One thing I've noticed is that her hair is growing back and mine isn't :(

I will be sticking to scarves and the hats my mother-in-law made for me (pics of those coming soon). Much more comfortable, although the wig made me look so 'normal'!!

2nd chemo - first week behind me

I've been feeling good since Monday, and I've gone for a nice walk each day. I do have an ache in my lower back and my shoulder, not too bad, but hopefully not a side effect of the neulasta injections.

My husband and kids keep rubbing my head and teasing me because its getting smooth (the bit of stubble left from shaving it is disappearing). My eyebrows are getting thinner too, but still good for now. We have briefly discussed options for drawing the eyebrows in once they're gone (unibrow, a V, or perhaps one raised higher than the other in an ever skeptical look).

Have a good day,
Beth

Feeling good 6 days post-chemo #2

I went from feeling about 70% yesterday to feeling 100% today. Not all of my energy is back, but enough to go for a walk (in the rain), go shopping, and meet a friend for coffee!

Last time my energy took longer to come back (assuming of course it's back to stay now). This time the queasiness lasted longer (wasn't as bad, but was still there and hung on longer). Hopefully this means I have 2 good weeks ahead of me before the next chemo. And tomorrow is the last neupogen injection (which must not have been causing the queasiness since I feel okay today).

I am amazed I can give myself the injections. Really amazed at the things we all do because we have to.

Fleetwood Mac

I had a 4-hour nap in the afternoon yesterday to prepare myself for the big outing - the Fleetwood Mac concert last night. It was really good!! They don't have a new album that they are promoting, so it was all the old hits that everyone knows. They played for almost 2 1/2 hours. You would never know Stevie Nicks is 61, amazing...

I feel a bit better today - no nausea, but no energy either. I picked around my garden for a bit, but the forecast for the week is rain, and never getting over 20C (again). Maybe the good weather will come when the kids are out of school (couple more weeks).

Low white blood counts = Neupogen injections

Had my lesson at the hospital this morning on how to give myself an injection - once a day for 5 days for each cycle of this chemo. These injections stimulate the bone marrow to create more white blood cells.

Side effects can be aching bones, and sometimes nausea. Here's hoping for no side effects since I'm still pretty weak from last chemo...

Chemo is evil.

Chemo #2

I'm very tired, but at least the nausea is not as bad as last time. I took Metoclopramide in additon to the Kytril this time (both anti-nausea medications). It makes me feel very restless, but I'm still able to stick to my plan of sleeping away as much as possible of these first few days... Hopefully tomorrow I will start to feel better.

Chemo is on for tomorrow...

Went in for bloodwork today and my white blood cell counts are back up to normal. Chemo tomorrow morning at 10:30 followed by a few days of rest... (I am caught up on all the laundry, and the fridge is full so Brad and the boys should be good for a few days while I hibernate).

I've re-organized my sunporch - cleared out the junk and put in a recliner and some magazines. Even hung some big straw hats on the wall (thanks Brad!) to brighten it up. My new place to hang out and watch the flowers grow (if our temperature ever gets above 20C). It is June now, isn't it?