Catherine-Ann / Pure-Grace
Oct. 20, 2021
SO, HOW AM I DOING… REALLY?
Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021 8:04 PM
Hi!. This in no way is a complaint letter. People ask "What's it like this time?" So, these are the facts of what's been going on, in the most challenging of post-chemo weeks. "In like a lamb, out like a lion" doesn't just apply to the month of March. Naively I was thinking I came to know what to expect of the 3 weeks post-chemo from how the first 5 sessions went. WRONG! The accumulation of effects of chemo & radiation will carry on for an undetermined amt. of time.
This is what we've been dealing with since the final chemotherapy session Oct. 7. I was so pleased at the first couple of days, as I felt no other side-effects except fatigue, as usual. I sent Larry off for 5 days to spend time with our son in the Okanagan, then his aunt & cousin in Williams Lk. I had plenty of frozen meals & planned to stay put.
The peripheral neuropathy came on in spades (1st time since the 1st & 2nd chemo). It's much more mild this week. I walk with a limp, because my hip joint is in pain & compromised. I have never known such weakness, ever. It's been hard to come to grips with, because doing little takes a lot. That's why today's walk, which was so minimal, at the same time, was a big deal, as I have only been able to walk up to 500 steps a day. I'm taking it in stride (ha ha) and not beating myself up or wishing I could do more, as I remember little Grace in her fight to overcome leukemia.
When I first read the material the cancer centre gave me, before I started therapies, I was surprised to read that "Although most people lose weight from chemotherapy, there are some who gain weight!" Oh sure! Having struggled with weight my whole life, I thought "That'll probably be me!" Yup! Steadily gaining throughout the process. But losing weight would mean a lot of painful stuff. It is what it is!
My vision this time is severely blurred. Reading sometimes is almost impossible. But it will clear up!
I'm getting used to what's been happening and accepting it! Each day is a new one and all we can do is our best, to do our best… no matter how little that may seem. Today, my little steps at White Rock became a big deal, considering the last 12 days.
Oh ya! I've had continual UTI & yeast infection since the week before chemo and still today. That's why we are being super careful to not put me in compromising (social) situations, with my immune system so weak.
God bless you in overcoming your challenges each day! xoxo