Halfway done - yay! Successfully completed round 3 of chemo last week and I'd like to say it's getting easier but it's not ..... Although knowing what to expect and getting better at mitigating side effects makes it somewhat routine, the cumulative effects of fatigue and the tedium of feeling unwell most of the time are evident. I go for a 30 minute walk and then have to lie down; I have a shower and get dressed, then need to sit and rest; I prepare a meal and eat it and have to then nap. This is worse than when I was pregnant! Only 3 more sessions to go......we can do this.
I can't say enough about the encouraging notes and support that I'm receiving from everyone. Janet, from Calgary came in for a visit in April and Somaya, from Toronto and Gail, from Calgary are coming in next week. Susan, continues to regale me with hilarious life stories from Edmonton. Unfortunately, Jody was not able to make it for these last sessions as hubby, Cam, had a bike accident and separated his shoulder. I'm told he's healing well and maybe Jody will make it to session#4. Cousin Barb, who lives just down the road in Qualicum Beach has staked out a claim in our spare bedroom and I am very fortunate to have moved in beside the most amazing neighbours, Ken and Paula.
For those of you tired of hearing it, you all know that I've moved many times in my life (last count was 26 different homes); sometimes I knew my neighbours and sometimes I never met them. Some neighbours were great and some not so much. And then, there's Ken and Paula. Ken was diagnosed with NHL (Non Hodgkins Lymphoma) 5 years ago; his is a different type than mine, apparently there are 86 known types of NHL. He went through the same chemo regimen that I'm going through, but had to stop treatments after the 4th session as his white blood count was critically low. My white blood count has been lower as well, but is still within an acceptable range - fingers crossed that my count stays within the good range for the second half. Further, Ken was not a candidate for the stem cell transplant so he has opted out of further treatment and the disease will just take its course. He has been an encyclopedia of information for me and encourages me across the fence almost daily. Paula is a retired health care aide and she worked in the cancer ward in hospitals in England. What are the odds that I would land where I have and end up with such a strong support team. The universe provides.....
It's tourist season on the island now and will last til about end September. The population has doubled and possibly even tripled. causing the locals to withdraw and pray for October. I expect that many of you will soon be heading out on summer vacations too (or already there). A special shout out to Steve and Janet who are currently hiking somewhere in the Swiss Alps and to Mark, commuting back and forth across the depths of Africa (he'll protest that he's working, but we know better!) I enjoy living vicariously through all their travel adventures.
Assuming my blood work is fine, my next chemo sessions will be June 28/29 because what else would you rather be doing on a long weekend. Take care everyone and thanks for checking in.