This week

This week has been rough. I have not been feeling that great, I have not regained my energy as much as I hoped to by now. I am hoping this coming week will be better. Returning to work tomorrow and hoping I have the energy to get through the day. 

Energy

So Tuesday (the day after chemo) my energy was pretty high and I got a lot accomplished. Wednesday, not so much. I took a 3 hour nap in the afternoon after visiting Dombey and I could have slept for longer. Let's see what today brings. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Chemo #3 in books!

Had my third chemo treatment yesterday. Went like the others, but the nausea started creeping in when we got to the car. Usually it does not start until early evening on chemo days since they do pump me full of anti-nausea meds before they pump the chemo into me. When I got home I took a Compazine which helped some. I also an grateful for the Gin-Gins candies Kerie told me about... those also helped. I took an Ativan (this one makes me sleepy) in the evening and was in bed by 7pm and pretty sure I feel asleep right away.

Today the nausea has been pretty under control. I took my Zofran and Decadron at breakfast as scheduled and did not feel the need to take anything else until my scheduled 4pm dose of Zofran and Decadron. I usually feel the need to take a Compazine late morning/early afternoon.

I got a bunch of stuff done in the South Bay today. I went to my apartment complex and dropped off my key to the apartment manager, stopped by the Santa Clara post office to drop off my mailbox key, had lunch, went to the Infusion Center in Sunnyvale to get my shot of Neulasta, and then stopped by the Comcast to drop of my equipment. That should finish all the business I have in the South Bay  until my next Doctor appointment and Chemo after the new year.

I've been maintaining my weight which is a shocker considering I've been eating a crap ton of bread products lately. My doctors don't want me to lose weight. I'm just surprised I have not gained like 15 pounds since I've pretty much just eating what I feel like eating (the f--- it, I've got cancer diet) and not trying to eat to lose weight. Usually bread causes me to gain weight quite quickly so I am pretty surprised I have not gained any weight. I ain't complaining! The one saving grace at this time of the year is I'm not eating all the goodies people put out in the kitchen at work because I don't know who has touched it or breathed on it so I ain't gonna eat it. I can't risk getting sick.

People keep asking if I am gonna get wigs. I'm kinda digging wearing hats for now, they are way more comfy than wigs. I'm building quite a good collection of cute hats. Gotta keep my head warm!

Rough night

Friday night was a rough night for me. It was my Dad's birthday... the first birthday since he died so that was on my mind the entire day. When I got home after seeing a show with friends my scalp was hurting and the only thing that made it feel better was to be in the shower so I stood under the running water for like 20 minutes while my hair fell out. A large portion of my hair fell out then and I kinda broke down. I called my sister and that helped just to talk to someone. Julie came over on Saturday with a electric hair trimmer and buzz cut what was left of my hair so that it is less messy. Feeling better now. Now with out hair my head is COLD! I even have to sleep with a hat on to keep my head warm.

Loss

I just stepped out of the shower having only gone in the shower to alleviate the pain. My scalp hurts. It's like my scalp is rejecting my hair. I just stood there in the running water running my hands through my hair and then rinsing the hair off of my hands. So much hair. You never realize how much hair you have until it is all falling out. Hair that should be on my head in on the floor on the walls, on my towel, in the tub, it is everywhere.

Bye Bye Hair

My hair has started to fall out. I noticed yesterday in the shower a lot more hair than usual. Last night I was able to easily pull chunks out on my head. It does not hurt. There is still a lot to go but I'm guessing by the end of this weekend it will all be gone.

 A chunk of hair pulled from my head

My tub after today's shower

TIME FOR HATS! I have some hats, but I think I need more just for variety. Stretchy knits one are best for me since I have a giant head.

Chemo #2

Had my 2nd round of chemo yesterday, went about that same as the first round. This time I read a fluffy vampire romance novel called "How the Marry a Millionaire Vampire"... so far the book is going as expected. I kinda have thing for fluffy vampire romance novels.

2 more rounds of AC (Adriamycin and Cytoxan) to go and then 4 rounds of T (Taxol).

My blood test shows that I am slightly anemic... I have not been anemic since I was a vegetarian when I was a teenager. Time to eat more red meat! I have been craving more red meat lately, that could explain why. I normally don't cook red meat because it's easier just to buy the bag of frozen chicken breast and throw one on the George Foreman grill. I probably won't be cooking much once I move in to my mom's house, my mom and sister are great cooks.

Thank GAWD for all the anti-nausea drugs they are giving me! I would not be functional with out them.

Feeling good!

I'm feeling back to normal this week! I've been packing boxes for the move, did laundry, and went grocery shopping. I've started preparing food to have ready to heat and eat for next week when I not feeling great after chemo on Monday. I've got one recipe in the crock pot and two more prepped to drop in the crock pot in the next few days. Trying to take advantage of my energy this week to get things done.

Chop, Chop!

This day was bound to happen.... the day I chop off my hair in preparation for it falling out.

I'm nervous, but Jean Marie is there to provide support... too bad JM avoids photos like the plague.

Look! That's my hair on the counter! (Oh! and I got Jean Marie in the background... I see you!)

Before & After!

So short, but way easier to deal with.