The new chemo

I’ve been feeling pretty good lately and healing up nicely from the last chemo & radiation regimen. My back has a nicely tanned, slightly textured spot where there used to be an open wound. I’m more energetic than I was 2 months ago, although I still have to walk slowly and go to bed early. My hair is growing quickly, it’s VERY soft and gray, and still looks sassy. Who knew gray could look this darn good? My appetite is back, I eat often and adult-size portions of food. And best of all, dark chocolate and I are buds again!

And so it’s no surprise that today, I got to stand on the tracks of the 2:10, and wait for the “A” train. Yup, today was the beginning of another round of chemo, this time using Alimta, my new drug of choice. It went pretty well, with one tiny exception. You-know-who was supposed to take anti-nausea pills yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Yesterday was no problem. Someone forgot the pills today and paid for it in the chemo lounge this afternoon. Yup, about 5 minutes after the start of Alimta, I got that “hot all over” feeling. And then my mouth started watering, and I was dreading the next phase. So I summoned my appointed nurse (before I lost my lunch), and she stopped the Alimta. Did she disconnect me and send me home? No. She gave me some Decadron and when it was gone, I got the rest of the Alimta. And then I was sent home, and felt fine. (I still have the rough days on the way, though.) My reward? To come back in 3 weeks and do it all over again.

Thanks for being here. I feel as though y’all have been carrying me for a long time, and I appreciate it so much. I could not do this alone.

¶ 4:54 PM