Day 3...for me

Hannah was here helping me through my first round of chemo and she made it so I could stay in bed when that felt best. I think that day 3 was tough last time; it sure was today. I simply had to wait til I could muster up the umph to get out of bed, once I got past being nauseous. My morning regiment includes getting my supplements from the basket they are in and poured into the small bowl I take them from, making some tea, pouring some juice, some water and figuring out something to eat. Today this series was challenging. Once I was done, I went back to my room and layed down, ended up dozing.

I had a short visit from my sister today who brought some food she prepared. I tried on the 4 wigs and got her feedback. After she left, I laid back down. And it is gonna be an early night. I hope to sleep without waking from the joint pain.

I have not made a point of learning about all of the aspects of my treatment. It is not how I normally conduct my life at all. I generally research the hell out of decisions and know what is what. But when I decided to follow the path I am on and hooked up with the health care providers that I feel good about and trust, I have basically asked relatively little. During the "teach" session, I was told about all the side effects, the solutions, etc. I was told I would receive a shot the day after chemo that would trigger white blood cell growth from my bone marrow. It is called Neulasta. When I was waiting for it to be administered yesterday after the Vitamin C infusion was complete, I read the packaging. I learned the shot was derived from e coli! I have just read it is given to patients who receive high doses of chemotherapy and are at a danger of infection.The side effects are joint discomfort, mild or strong...and I have experienced both versions. Today it has been mild and I know last time it went from mild to strong on the forth day after chemo. I wait to see if the Vitamin C mitigates the joint discomfort this time and allows it to stay mild. To be revealed...

In addition to the discomforts mentioned above, my port is irritated feeling today. Tight...like it got used a lot. Truth is the feed was left in overnight since I was going to be returning after chemo for the Vitamin C infusion. I have no idea whether or not that is contributing to the way the port feels "used" for lack of a better term. Two days in a row of hours each...don't know if that matters. Anyhow, just a tad more that I notice is not feeling the same.

I share all of the above informatively. I accept what is going on fully. It is the path I am taking to rid my body of fast growing ovarian cancer cells. There is some discomfort associated with this path. And I am learning to manage my mind, to control thoughts, pain, sensations and reframe them. I am also paying more attention to my needs at any given time and doing my best to take care of body, mind, spirit.