That Chemo Stuff Again

Glad I ran into my PA in the clinic yesterday so that she could get me on the books for the hospital next week. It's sad when your main preoccupation is getting your next chemo round scheduled. But the November calendar is full of stuff like Holly's meeting in San Antonio in the middle of the month and Thanksgiving at the end of the month. I just didn't want to be in the hospital during either of those two times. And like my doctor said, each round has beaten me up worse and worse. The first one was definitely the worst of all since it was a continuous infusion for 7 days. That one was mean and nasty. And I sure suffered some mean and nasty side effects from it. This latest stuff is easier to tolerate by far but the fatigue, muscle weakness, and stomach effects seem worse with each batch. At least the next one is the last one. I feel fortunate to have gotten the counts up in time to go back again after 4 weeks. If all goes as planned, I'll be watching the election results from my hospital bed while getting my 2nd dose of chemo for the day (I voted early, last Friday).

I removed the big bandage from the bone marrow biopsy I had yesterday. As always, bruised, a little sore, and one more needle mark along my sacrum for the next guy to aim for. Fabulous. At least they got it over with. They gave me half an Ativan to take prior to the procedure, but I don't think that kicked in until later when it made me drowsy. I know the lidocaine they use to numb up the skin and bone helps, but it still hurts once that needle gets through the bone to the underside where the marrow is. And when they pull back to suck in fluid, spicules, and solid stuff, well the pain goes all the way down my leg. It's temporary, but it hurts. Enough about that.

I went out to the mailbox last evening, and my neighbor was walking his dog while pushing his baby in a stroller. He shouted to me about how cold my head must be. I assured him that it was. He turned around, pushed the stroller back toward our house and gave me his Army-issue fleece cap . I tried to get him to keep it, but he insisted, saying the Army would give him another one. I was very touched by his generosity and kindness. He shaves his hair quite short, so he knows how cold that is in the wind. But his is by choice (?occupation? too as he is in the Army). I am constantly amazed at the generosity of people and their kindness toward me with this disease. One neighbor who lives down the street stopped his car to tell me that he noticed I was getting some hair, and it looked good. People are so kind and comforting.

I went to Ayrmount, the historic house and grounds in Hillsborough, to do my workout this morning. The trail is great-1 mile or so which goes around the edge of the property & along the Eno river. Very nice out there this time of year with the leaves changing.
Photo: the other side of the Happy Cat in Love mug