Mid-Cycle

It's Day 11 after my 4th (!!) infusion and I feel great (the awesome weather has a lot to do with it as well!). I'm on the deck outside my room, and am looking out on the most perfect day. The kids are enjoying the last of the weekend and I'm in the middle of a new good book (Bel Canto) - not that I finished any of the others I have been reading. I can't explain what's made the difference but I'm now able to breath more easily, relax more readily... I think it's just time away from working as well that has helped. Regardless of what it is, I thank God for it.

On Friday morning, I watched a movie on TV - an oldie called A Secret Place from the 40s - and actually sat there all the way through, savoring it. It doesn't sound like a big deal but it's something I would never had the patience for before I got sick, or felt relaxed enough to do since I started chemo. Afterwards I went to lunch with an ex-coworker - I'm supposed to do it again next week with another group but I plan to ask that we wait till my treatment is done. Though I felt fine as we sat there, that afternoon/evening I was especially weak and tired. The headaches return most days, and I usually time Tylenol but really I know it's just exhaustion. I've come to think that the steroid's effect wears off around Day 9, and I start to sleep through the night again. It happened that way after #3 as well. And this time around I didn't go through my insomnia like before - Praise God!

I didn't do my blood counts after my first week this time - I just assumed that it dipped and I had to be careful. The area around my medi-port was more achey this past week but it could be cos I was laying on my left side, and straining it. I've switched over the past few days, and I feel better. My tongue still feels weird but it's nearly normal. I decided this time around to be good to my stomach, so it'll be good to me! I avoided rice (hard to digest - you're right Uncle Eric :-)) and had lots of soups, eggs, avocados, some baby food, yogurt...

We went to the episcopal church again today and I felt such peace. The setting is beautiful - large windows with trees beyond cover the entire front wall - and the hymns just put me in the right mood for worship. They had baptism and confirmation today and I am pleased that the kids enjoy the more formal service as well.

I'm expecting a good week and a half, and have only 2 more to go (Apr 22, May 13)!

I thank God for this lovely day.