As for liquids, I used to drink Sunny Delight because it was the only orange juice that didn't give me acid indigestion. But, I found that it contained the artificial sweetner, sucralose, so I stopped buying it. I stopped buying fruit juices because half the time they contained sucralose or else they were from concentrate and had a lot of artificial flavoring and colors and preservatives. I stopped drinking Gatorade because they began adding sucralose ! I used to buy an occasional 5-hour energy drink but, they too, added sucralose! Bummer !
I bought Grapefruit juice because it was all natural and NOT from concentrate. It used to be very tart and bitter, but I discovered that because of the change in my taste buds, that it actually tasted sweet and full and I actually could feel it nourishing my body ! And, I discovered SOBE Lifewater which comes in a lot of flavors and has a variety of herbs and vitamins. I like yumberry and dragon berry and ginseng. This is a good value and good nutrition and tastes great. It works for me !
I also discovered that if I drank bottled water it would go down into my lungs on the 3rd sip ! But, I can drink a carbonated drink or one of the above drinks (grapefruit, SOBE) and they don't go down the "wrong pipe". Drinking the occasional Dr. Pepper or Coke or ginger ale, etc., tasted great and went down happy and smooth ! Screw you, Mayor Bloombird and your addled, megalomanical ideas on what people should be eating and drinking---your thought process is as twisted as Caligula's...
And, a Vitamin D supplement, I took on numerous advice(s), kept me from getting a cold or infection.
I also took a Vitamin E supplement in the form of Fish Oil.
I am on a regimen of pain killers and had to watch out for constipation. Louis Armstrong used to promote Swiss Kriss (I found this via my brother) and it works great ! I shared it with several deserving friends and they thanked me profusely...because it worked great for them as nothing else compared!
I experienced some apprehension as I readied myself for my last Chemo (I know, this segue is skewed). It is because of the waning of energy the days before a Chemo. 3 weeks from now, when I no longer have treatments and my energy begins to fade...well, what will happen? And, the joint pains and worries about finances and work and life, etc. Will they become magnified?
But, I faced the day and thanks to the new tie that my good friend, Susan F (nee E) made for me, I set out for the regimen. Thanks also to Donna for the ride to the treatment. And, thanks also to my dear wife for coming to take me home afterward.
I, of course, slept through the treatment. It started at 8am, and although it usually lasts until 4pm, this time it was over by 230pm. I awoke at 1pm and the nurse was changing my med. Then I went back to sleep and re-awoke at 215pm and she said I was finished !
After I got out of bed and put on my shoes and gathered my belongings, I made sure the two nurses had clown noses and stickers and chocolate candy. Then I asked one of the nurses to hold my video camera and film me as I tested my motor skills. I tried to juggle some clown noses. As jugglers are well aware, lightweight objects don't juggle well. But, I tried anyway and met with no success. I did find, however, that I could bend down to pick up the noses without getting dizzy. Then I tried throwing my hat in the air in hopes that it would return to the top of my head. I am want to do that from time to time. It is a great crowd pleaser---no matter the outcome, because it is a ClownThing ! Reviewing the video, I see that it worked far better than I thought it would!
I have learned from these Chemo treatments that if you have good and varied support groups. If you have a good Spiritual foundation or maniacal philosophy (I have the Spiritual foundation, thankyou). And, if you have a dedicated and experienced and positive Medical Team. And, you maintain a positive and uplifting attitude. If you carry a Smile with you and share it Whole-heartedly. If you make sure to engage in moderate exercise: short 100 yard walks, Tai chi, stretches, yoga breathing-responses, etc.; and, the use of Eucalyptus Spearmint body lotion for joint pain and aromatherapy. And, if you begin to experience Chemo-brain (very real)--then, decide that the only priority is not remembering things but just going forward and seizing the day (carping the diem). If you decide that life is for living! Having a fatalistic attitude is counter-poductive! Dream your dreams and forget about your problems. Don't focus on "fighting" but rather, use this health set-back as a learning experience. Put on a smile-- learn all about yourself and others. Don't draw-up a bucket list. Every move you make from now on is a bucket list. As you wake every morning, know that everything you experience during the day is special and inspiring and educational and take advantage of that ! In other words, as you witness the Sun rise in the morning, don't say to yourself, "This could be my last..." Instead, say to yourself, "That Sun-rising is really beautiful...I should go visit someone and tell them about it !" Then, get moving. You never know what Life has in store for you unless you let it show it to you and then share it with others !
Life is Good...Life is an Adventure !
Here is how I left my last Chemo:
short video: The Off-duty Clown Returns !
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