It's Cancer - Not a good day

I woke up this morning not feeling well. It has been awhile since the chemo side effects were this bad, plus I still  have my cough and runny nose, but no fever.

I'm light headed, can hardly breathe, and my chest is aching. Also, and this is somewhat gross to think about, a few of my nails are pulling away from their beds. I was told this might happen and that is could be very painful. The warning was correct. Eventually, I'll lose the nails.

Today I'm celebrating pain relievers and my pillows. I hope after some rest <afternoon nap> I'll feel better before Mr. B gets home from work.

It's Cancer - Chemo Phase 2, Number 8 of 12

This was a short day for treatment at MDA. I was home by 3:30 p.m. I'm glad to be home so I can sleep since I didn't sleep last night. I have no idea why I don't sleep a wink the night before chemo.

Right now I'm feeling tired and I have some joint pain. The good news is that I only have one more month (four more weeks) of chemo.

Today I'm celebrating a new hat. I had been eying this hat at MDA since before Christmas. I wanted to buy a black hat, but that color was gone. Instead the women in the shop convinced me a get the hat in beige. It's a good neutral. I can wear on Valentine's Day next week when Mr. B and I go to dinner.

It's Cancer - A work-in-progress

I got up this morning and ate a piece of banana nut bread and drank a diet coke. A diet coke? I quit drinking them on January 1, 2016. Who am I going back to that habit? To be honest, I didn't even like the taste of the diet coke.

Last week I attended my first writing for self-discovery class. I enjoyed it very much and was so fired up after the class. I have homework to complete before my next class in a little more than 48 hours, but I haven't written a word. I guess I'm still discovering how not to procrastinate. I'm a work-in-progress.

Today I'm celebrating feeling better. I've been fighting an upper respiratory infection for more than a week. After five days of antibiotics and a steroid pack I'm able to breathe through both nostrils. What a feeling!

It's Cancer - Awesome game

Since Mr. B and I both have nagging coughs, we passed on all Super Bowl parties and stayed home. But that doesn't mean we passed on the festivities and treats. In the first quarter we had chips. In the second quarter we had pizza. Third quarter was potato thins (such as twice baked potatoes). Finally, a vanilla shake during the exciting fourth quarter.

I wasn't that impressed with the commercials from the Super Bowl. This morning, one analyst slammed the commercials that were politically oriented while an analyst on another television channel said politics were "pop culture" and spots with that slant were most effective. Personally, I liked the daughter ad (Audi), but missed the clydesdales and the baby trader spots.

Today I'm celebrating Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, known professionally as Lady Gaga. Best halftime show. Ever!

It's Cancer - Writing for self-discovery

I woke up this morning not feeling well. I was so nauseous that I took medication to help me. I felt so bad that I couldn't eat lunch, but had to eat something so I could take more medication. Around 2:30 this afternoon, I let Rose out to do some "business" and fell on the way back to bed. I'm always asked at MDA if I have fallen in the last week. I've answered "no" but that will change next Wednesday.

I attended a workshop last night that was so interesting. One of the reasons I write my blog is for self discovery, and the workshop is about writing for that same reason. Participants (all women) were given prompts and then wrote to the topic. It was inspiring to listen to the stories of others and connect with women of all ages. I can't wait to attend next week.

Today I'm celebrating Rilla, who not only introduced me to the writing workshop, but also drove me to and from The Jung Center so I could attend.

It's Cancer - Eight hours at MDA

I won't go into all the delays that occurred yesterday, except to say that when MDA announced in December 2016 that the hospital was going to have a staff reduction, which would not impact patient care, I predicted that wait times would increase. And I was correct. (If only I had such luck predicting lottery numbers.) Technically, waiting longer doesn't impact "patient care." I still receive the same great care at MDA whether I have to wait 15 minutes or two hours.

My blood work from yesterday was about the same as last week. Both my white cell count (indicates infection) and red cell count (indicates anemia) were low. I came home with antibiotics for five-days, as well as steroids for seven days to help with those problems. I already receive a steroid injection each week before chemo begins, which has caused my blood sugar level to be slightly elevated. To help with my glucose level I need to watch my sugar intake and eat low carb meals and snacks. Although these healthy changes to my diet are ones I should permanently make ... what devastating news to receive four days before the Super Bowl. After all, I already gave up alcohol.

Today I'm celebrating neighbor Sandra who provided my ride to MDA yesterday. She and husband, Charlie, were recently in Santa Fe. They drove by Pettita Casita and sent photos. They also brought me a milagro, which are traditionally used for healing purposes in Mexico and Latin America. Grandes vecinos (English translation = great neighbors)!

It's Cancer - Chemo Phase 2, Number 7 of 12

My chemo isn't until this afternoon so I'm writing this blog before I head to MDA. I've gotten into this really bad habit of not sleeping the night before chemo so I'm really tired this morning. I shouldn't be nervous about the chemo treatment, but I'm anxious about my blood work.

Both my red and white blood cell counts were really low last week. A low white blood cell count left me prone to infections (I've had a cold and cough all week). A low red blood cell count is a sign of anemia, which means I've been weak and tired (more than usual). I'm afraid that if my blood work isn't better this afternoon my oncologist will cancel the chemo to give me another week to get stronger. This happened once in my first round of chemo.

Today I'm celebrating The Suffers. The band is playing at several of the Super Bowl events. Last night they played at the Houston Museum for Natural Science for the media party. Big Daddy Nick said Mayor Sylvester Turner had them play one of their songs, Great Day (www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwfmC9rF2eE), twice last night. The video link is for a promotion video The Suffers made last year for Houston. Look outside the window at the beginning of the video and you'll see Nick using his drum sticks to play on a railing. He is also playing the railing after Kam goes out the door. This video has been viewed more than 83K on YouTube. Not bad for a little band from the big H!