Yesterday I completed chemotherapy treatment #3. Yay!!!!!!!! I am beginning to see that light at the end of the tunnel. So far I am feeling great. Saturday – Wednesday will be my toughest days so I am enjoying today. I just got home from getting the shot that boosts my white blood cells. That means for the next few days I will be on some pain meds as this shot creates the muscle pains that can feel like the flu.
My red blood count dropped this time around so I am now anemic. Along with the regular drugs I got yesterday I also got a 15 minute bonus drip into my iv of pure dark colored iron. I am also now taking iron supplements and for the next two Thursdays I will be making a trip back to the Cancer Center for blood tests and another 15 min iron drip each of those days. I am so glad my doctor is being proactive. It is great to no longer be out of breath when walking up the flight of stairs in our house.
I came home from my treatment yesterday and my friends had put the purple pinwheels back out on our driveway along with some purple balloons on the mailbox. Also inside there was a beautiful sign on our fireplace that was decorated in purple that said “3 down, 3 to go!” Our fireplace was decorated with purple cray paper with a purple flower in the middle and a bouquet of purple balloons. I love my friends. They are the most thoughtful friends ever.
Love,
Kim
Tomorrow is my next chemotherapy treatment (#3 of 6.) It is hard to believe the time has come already. I pray to God for the courage and strength to get through the next 7-10 days. I know they will not be easy and on some days will be downright hard. I pray that my kids will be in great hands with my family and friends looking after them when I don’t have the strength to do so. I pray that my husband and parents continue to be strong so that on the days that I am not they can carry me through.
So today (day 4/5)is the day in my treatment cycle when I have a hard time seeing that light at the end of the tunnel. I have been through the nausousness, tiredness, achiness, and intestinal issues. If going by my past treatment history things should get better day by day from here on out but I won’t be feeling much better until about day 10. I will keepmy sights set for those days because feeling how I have been feeling, especially today, has felt pretty isolating. As long as my stomachcooperates with me tomorrow I hope to be able to spend some time downstairswith my family. Thankfully I have kept a pretty detailed journal since round 1 of chemo so Ican almost predict, to the day, withwhat I will be feeling and when. This is assuming all rounds will go the same. All I know is I have 2 chemo’s down and4 to go! Once again, last night during dinner it was raining and then the sun came out. And wouldn’t you know it – we saw another rainbow out our front door. Unbelievable. This sign of hope in a time of despair is magical and is clearly a sign from God to keep going Kim!!
Well, my friends out did themselves again. This is the week that we were supposed to be soaking up the rays and ocean at Hilton Head Island, SC. Since we couldn’t make it to the beach my friends brought the beach to us! In my friend’s backyard today was water, sand, water slides, beach music, ocean themed cupcakes, water balloon fights, fruit kabobs, sea shells, a painted HIlton Head Island lighthouse, face painting, balloon animals, and tons of drinks and food. My Mom and Dad bought Salty Dog T-shirts for everyone at the party that they had shipped directly from Hilton Head Island. It was a sea of purple since the kids all got purple shirts. My friend’s driveway was outlined in sand buckets displayed in a rainbow color. This was all a surprise to me. The whole experience was amazing and so touching. I was having a rough week with losing my hair, with my upcoming chemo date lurking, and missing a vacation to a place that relaxes me the most – the beach, and my friends just made my week. Thank you so much.
Wow, today was tough. It started this morning while taking my shower and my hair was just falling out of my head. Then after my shower I brushed my hair and it was just awful how much of my hair once again came out of my head. After getting dressed I kept shedding all the way to the boutique where I received my new wig. The good thing about getting my head shaved today? No more shedding!!! It feels wonderful to no longer be tortured with my hair just sliding off of my head in large number of strands.
?? 
