Navigating New Treatment
It's high time for an overdue update, and I'm thrilled to share some positive news. Since our last rendezvous, I've embarked on a new phase of treatment, navigating the uncharted waters of a more intense therapy regimen. But fear not, my friends, for I've emerged from the first round relatively unscathed. I danced with the Red Devil and I’m still dancing.
Unlike my previous chemo sessions, which followed the traditional drip style, this one took a different approach—a "push" style infusion. This one is a "push" style chemo, where my nurse sits with me and pushes two of those large syringes, featured in my primary blog photo, full of adriamycin into my port for 15-20 minutes. It's a brief yet intense ritual, made infinitely more bearable by my nurse, Leah's comforting presence.
Ah, Leah—she's been a steadfast companion throughout this journey. As I transition from weekly treatments to a more spaced-out schedule, I find myself missing her more than I anticipated. They say it takes 90 days to form a habit, and over the past 90 days, I've spent a significant chunk of my Wednesdays in Leah's company. Now, the prospect of only seeing her every three weeks feels like an eternity.
I'd been warned when I started this journey by other cancer survivors that the end can be one of the more difficult parts. I don't think I really understood that sentiment when it was first shared with me, but I get it now. The thought of bidding farewell to the remarkable individuals who have dedicated themselves to saving my life fills me with a pending sense of loss.
Amidst these reflections, there have been moments of joy and excitement in my life, which I promise to delve into in my next entry. But for now, let me assure you that symptomatically, I weathered the storm of my new treatment admirably. Thanks to an arsenal of anti-nausea medications, my energy levels remained surprisingly robust. Sure, there were a few bumps along the way—a fleeting headache here, some pink-tinged pee there—but overall, I emerged from this new cocktail with resilience and grace.
Menopause is a bitch and has continued to be an issue. These damn hot flashes persist, rudely interrupting my already scarce sleep, waking up in a sweat every hour or two. The constant sweating leaves me feeling perpetually unclean. And let's not even get started on my skin—it's been quite the battleground. While my Clindamycin initially showed promise in alleviating some of the issues, lately, I seem to be losing the battle. To add insult to injury, My mouth, along with all the soft tissues in my face—nasal passages and eyes included—have become distressingly dry and sore. It's as if I've scorched the entire inside of my mouth. Every surface feels swollen and tender. Fortunately, I've found some relief with a special mouthwash and toothbrush that helps ease the pain so far. Lastly, nail changes are a known symptom I’ve avoided to this point. I don’t know what is to come, but the past couple of days my nail beds on my hands have been very sore, like when you’ve ripped off a pair of fake nails, so we’ll see what’s to come of that.
As I bid adieu for now, I'm reminded of the resilience of the human spirit and the support of those who walk alongside us in our darkest hours. Until next time, may we all find solace in the small victories and draw strength from the bonds that tether us together on this journey called life.