The Chemo last Friday went well. The shortest duration yet. Only an hour and a half. And, aside from the B-12 shot, they only had to stick me once. My veins have held together really well through all of the Chemos this year ! I am fortunate that I don't need a port. Usually I come home with 3 stick sites in my right arm and one or two in my left. The Chemo can really take a toll on a person's veins. The staff at the hospital has been really good, though, so my veins are fine and they are able to get a good one right off the bat!
I talked to my Oncologist last Thursday and told him of the extreme irritability that I had been experiencing from the steroids. He allowed me to cut the doses in half. I was taking 2 tabs before Chemo Day and two after. And, they injected me with some the day of the Chemo. I usually began to feel angry at any little thing a day or two after the treatment. This time I have not had that side effect. So, that is well. The steroid is to prevent a rash.
I have been feeling pretty normal and have more tiredness than fatigue. As I have mentioned previously, Alimta causes extreme fatigue. I am learning to pace myself and I obtained a book from the Library that lists the best practices for dealing with fatigue:
Limit your activities; do only those things that are most important to you.
Take several short naps or breaks during the day.
Try taking short walks or exercising lightly.
Maintain good nutrition; try to eat a well-balanced diet.
Ask for help when you need it.
(Lung Cancer, A Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment. c. 2012 by Walter J. Scott, M.D., Addicus Books, Inc., Omaha NE)
Last week I was able to participate in the Heritage of Flight Festival. I was in the Parade on Saturday and, also, clowned around and twisted balloons afterward and on Sunday. A new clown that I am mentoring, Vanngo, joined with me in all of the activities. We also clowned around last Saturday (the 20th): We went to a shopping center and vended balloons, stopped by a restHome and visited with some good friends, then went to Church where we were informally dubbed Fools for the Lord. The sermon was about Noah and how he must have been ridiculed by his neighbors when God commanded him to build the Ark! I consider a large portion of my Clowning a Clown Ministry--as I visit hospital patients, nursing home patients and shut-ins. And, the smiles I elicit when I am out and about are my witness to the Love that the Lord shows to us each and every day! In fact, the Pastor at my Church has asked me to speak about my Cancer experience in Church this Sunday. There will be some other speakers also.
Vanngo has the potential to become a very viable Clown! She has been doing very well and when I offer Clown Classes (hopefully) after the first of next year, I am hoping she will be an Adjunct Professor! She hopes so too, as I don't think she could afford the classes and shouldn't have to take out a debilitating Student Loan in order to attend! We plan to go out Clowning around tomorrow (today, Wednesday) and are going to try to have a regular route on Saturdays of balloon sales, social visits and Church...
I have been feeling fairly normal since this last Chemo. I haven't had extreme fatigue, but I have been pacing myself. I have been feeling an overall tiredness, but I have been motivated. I have felt groggy and foggy, but I have cut down my coffee intake to one cup of coffee per day--and I mix whole beans with decaf coffee. And, halving the steroid intake reduces my wiredness.
I hope to feel well and confident enough to find a part-time job. I could use the money and the activity/self-esteem. I would also like to be able to afford and procure a Canine Companion by Christmas, our beloved dog, Matty, having passed away just last Fall.
There is still not enough hours in the day to accomplish all that I want to accomplish...but, I feel that I am doing a lot better and feeling a lot more normal. It is coming along in bursts and burps. Soon enough I may be able to have a more ordered Life again !
Life is Good...Life is an Adventure !!!
