Well I’m glad THAT’S over!!
What a crazy day!
Started with the thought “I have all morning to relax before being picked up at 11:30”. I sat down, ate my oatmeal and put on the U.S. Open to watch me some golf. Phone rang. It’s the cancer agency saying that my blood work from yesterday has come back with blood counts too low for chemo, and could I please come and get more blood work done NOW so they can make a decision on whether I can follow through with it.
So I lost the morning, and then waited and waited and waited to see if my new blood counts were better. Best part is I got to have lunch with my awesome driving buddy Katrina :). Finally we went back to the agency and were told that yes! I’m good!!! So after 5 anxious hours I was put in the chair.
Every time is an interesting one. First round we watched a man go into convulsions and then get angry when they stopped his treatment. Second round I got to sit with a Chatty Cathy that had nothing good to say about anything. Third round I got the best seat in the house and it would have been a very pleasant experience, should I not have been having poison injected into my blood stream. Today was my first time with a puker in the room. Luckily they stopped his treatment too before I bolted.
So today was another lesson in learning to let go of control. I met a lady named Wendy, who is one step ahead of me with the same diagnosis, that introduced herself to me and said just that. “If there’s one piece of advice I have, it’s be prepared for everything to change on a dime, and don’t get attached to any particular treatment, procedure, nurse, protocol, side effect, treatment plan or routine.” I found her very sage.
I have a feeling this next three weeks is going to be the class 4 rapids, the bumpiest part of the road, the eye of the hurricane. Better buckle up! Now is when we’ll happily take meals, as long as we don’t have to fire up the oven. Fresh veggies and fruit, stuff for the BBQ, good bread and cheese, and please – no more baking. We’re trying for healthy and whole foods… Just touch base first before coming. I can give you a day. Best to do by text.
Oh – and get a mammogram!!