Saturday, I tied my cane to my bicycle so that I could attend the Italian Market Festival with some friends. I can walk about a block or so before I need to rest, but I can bike for a while before I need to rest. Coasting is helpful, too, as I can get myself toward my goal using gravity and momentum instead of muscles and joints. An old lady had words with me about the cane on my bike, but I think she was just confused about it. I mean, it is pretty strange. I spent the day with friends. When I got home, I was running a fever. Maybe I had too much sun or not enough water or too much fun.
Yesterday, I competed with my quizzo teammates at The 2nd Annual Spring Invitational at City Tap House. We held first place from round 2 - round 4, but came in 4th after a not-so-great 5th round. We won t-shirts, though, and that has to count for something.
It's amazing what having a little fun can do to cheer me up. I hadn't gone out with a group of friends since maybe my birthday. I don't mind paying the price in exhaustion now. I'd probably be exhausted regardless.
Showing posts with label fun stuff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fun stuff. Show all posts
Monday, May 21, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
look good, feel better
I am doing well after my last chemo on Thursday. I'm still tired, but luckily I don't have anything to do at work today, so it doesn't really matter.
Yesterday, I attended look good, feel better, a program aimed at helping women with cancer deal with the cosmetic side effects of treatment. I found out about it through my oncologist's office, though I also knew the social worker involved in it. There were only 5 other cancer patients in the group; one was close to my age and the others were much older. Two cosmetologists assisted and educated us on basic skincare and applying the fancy new donated makeup. Apparently, the lipstick that I got in my bag was worth $40. Nice! It was helpful finding out ways to make my eyebrows not look completely missing.
I also received a new wig. This one looks more like my natural hair and is long and curly at the ends. I had fun trying on the different wigs.
Yesterday, I attended look good, feel better, a program aimed at helping women with cancer deal with the cosmetic side effects of treatment. I found out about it through my oncologist's office, though I also knew the social worker involved in it. There were only 5 other cancer patients in the group; one was close to my age and the others were much older. Two cosmetologists assisted and educated us on basic skincare and applying the fancy new donated makeup. Apparently, the lipstick that I got in my bag was worth $40. Nice! It was helpful finding out ways to make my eyebrows not look completely missing.
I also received a new wig. This one looks more like my natural hair and is long and curly at the ends. I had fun trying on the different wigs.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
chemo #5 in 2 more days
I thought I might list what I do before chemo to get myself ready. I'm a little anxious about it.
I try to go outside and have as much fun as much as possible, as I might be sleeping for a few days. Tonight, I'm going to see Feist. It should be awesome.
I try to stock up on food, particularly really easy to make soups and nutrition bars. I try to minimize dairy, especially in the few days following chemo because it doesn't seem to sit ok with my stomach. I have frozen fruit, almond milk, and coconut milk for smoothies. I also stock up on cat supplies, because it wouldn't do to have to get some when I'm not feeling great.
I do my dishes and try to straighten up my place as much as I can. It's pretty much only going to get messier for the next week, so I like to start out with a minimal of mess.
I pack my backpack. Chemo takes between 4 and 7 hours; I like to have a variety of things with me to distract and soothe me. Of course, I'm likely to fall asleep most of the time, anyway.
kind of in order of importance:
I try to go outside and have as much fun as much as possible, as I might be sleeping for a few days. Tonight, I'm going to see Feist. It should be awesome.
I try to stock up on food, particularly really easy to make soups and nutrition bars. I try to minimize dairy, especially in the few days following chemo because it doesn't seem to sit ok with my stomach. I have frozen fruit, almond milk, and coconut milk for smoothies. I also stock up on cat supplies, because it wouldn't do to have to get some when I'm not feeling great.
I do my dishes and try to straighten up my place as much as I can. It's pretty much only going to get messier for the next week, so I like to start out with a minimal of mess.
I pack my backpack. Chemo takes between 4 and 7 hours; I like to have a variety of things with me to distract and soothe me. Of course, I'm likely to fall asleep most of the time, anyway.
kind of in order of importance:
- my bag, with my insurance card (in case they ask) and my debit card and ID
- subway token, cabfare, or definite ride to chemo (ok, that last one won't fit in the backpack)
- fully charged cell phone
- warm stuff (it gets chilly)
- a jacket
- scarf
- a hat
- arm warmers
- snacks
- granola bar
- cut up fruit and vegetables
- maybe a smoothie
- water, gatorade, etc.
- music (thanks, Ken!)
- lip balm and hand lotion (it's dry there)
- Lidocaine (to numb the port)
- note with new questions in it (so I don't forget to ask the doc stuff)
- sketchbook and pen (thanks, Melinda!)
- needlepoint: mandalas, thread, needle, scissors
- Kindle (thanks, Mom!)
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
poetry break
I like this.
how to climb a mountain
-- Maya Stein
Make no mistake. This will be an exercise in staying vertical.
Yes, there will be a view, later, a wide swath of open sky,
but in the meantime: tree and stone. If you're lucky, a hawk will
coast overhead, scanning the forest floor. If you're lucky,
a set of wildflowers will keep you cheerful. Mostly, though,
a steady sweat, your heart fluttering indelicately, a solid ache
perforating your calves. This is called work, what you
will come to know, eventually and simply, as movement,
as all the evidence you need to make your way.
Forget where you were. That story is no longer true.
Level your gaze to the trail you're on,
and even the dark won't stop you.
how to climb a mountain
-- Maya Stein
Make no mistake. This will be an exercise in staying vertical.
Yes, there will be a view, later, a wide swath of open sky,
but in the meantime: tree and stone. If you're lucky, a hawk will
coast overhead, scanning the forest floor. If you're lucky,
a set of wildflowers will keep you cheerful. Mostly, though,
a steady sweat, your heart fluttering indelicately, a solid ache
perforating your calves. This is called work, what you
will come to know, eventually and simply, as movement,
as all the evidence you need to make your way.
Forget where you were. That story is no longer true.
Level your gaze to the trail you're on,
and even the dark won't stop you.
Monday, April 23, 2012
feeling pretty lucky
I feel pretty good today. I had a fantastic, relaxing weekend of watching movies and eating hamburgers. I also had some beer yesterday to help raise money for Street Tails Animal Rescue (STAR). I won a Phillies cap in the raffle, too. I'm pretty lucky. I've won something at the last few STAR fundraisers.
This morning, I picked up a prescription for Percoset from my surgeon. Hooray!!! I am out of Percoset and would probably be having difficulty sitting right now if I hadn't taken my last one earlier. The chemo makes my bones hurt, mostly from mid-back down. It makes it hard to find comfortable ways to arrange my body. When I was getting the prescription, I talked with my doctor's extremely amazing assistant. She said that he could drain my cyst on Wednesday at his office. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am about my knee getting better that soon.
Also, I added a page to the blog that contains a section of my thesis on optimism and physical health.
This morning, I picked up a prescription for Percoset from my surgeon. Hooray!!! I am out of Percoset and would probably be having difficulty sitting right now if I hadn't taken my last one earlier. The chemo makes my bones hurt, mostly from mid-back down. It makes it hard to find comfortable ways to arrange my body. When I was getting the prescription, I talked with my doctor's extremely amazing assistant. She said that he could drain my cyst on Wednesday at his office. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am about my knee getting better that soon.
Also, I added a page to the blog that contains a section of my thesis on optimism and physical health.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
chemo #3
Yesterday, I had my third chemo session. I have 3 more to go.
I'm exhausted. Mom and Athena came with me to the appointment. Again, my port didn't bleed, so it needed to be flushed.
I got a shot of something to shut down my ovaries. I can't remember the last time that I had an injection in my ass. I am kind of nervous about the chemo-induced menopause. I don't really have the energy to talk about that right now, though.
The doctor says the tumor is almost gone.
Today, I walked to the post office and got a bunch of fantastic care packages. Thanks! I was so tired, a friend had to pick me up and drive me four blocks home.
needle count: 24
touch count: 14
I'm exhausted. Mom and Athena came with me to the appointment. Again, my port didn't bleed, so it needed to be flushed.
I got a shot of something to shut down my ovaries. I can't remember the last time that I had an injection in my ass. I am kind of nervous about the chemo-induced menopause. I don't really have the energy to talk about that right now, though.
The doctor says the tumor is almost gone.
Today, I walked to the post office and got a bunch of fantastic care packages. Thanks! I was so tired, a friend had to pick me up and drive me four blocks home.
needle count: 24
touch count: 14
Monday, March 5, 2012
head shaving party
Yesterday, I had a head shaving party with a bunch of awesome friends, some delicious beers, and some pizza. It was wonderful. I had many different haircuts along the way. Two of my friends shaved their heads too.
It feels a little weird that we spent so much time styling up my hair, since it's still falling out like crazy.
Yay! I like this hair cut. Even if I only have it for a week.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
this pleases me
I saw my amazing chiropractor today. He's so awesome. I feel like he's a little bit of my therapist, not just for my back. He suggested that I consider cutting out gluten because if I'm sensitive to it, I might have an inflammatory response which might increase my negative side effects from the chemotherapy.
Afterwards, I walked about center city in the gorgeous too-early-for-spring weather. I got myself some groceries to have on hand at work. Then I met with my wonderful surgeon who said that my port was healing well. Dr. L. said that he didn't think that the metal clip, injected to mark the site of the tumor, "stuck", but he also did not seem to think that it would prevent the tumor site from being identified. He prescribed me a topical cream to numb the port area, so that it won't hurt the next time that the chemo nurses inject it. Yay! He offered me more painkillers, but I still have at least a week's worth. I won't get to see him again until June or July, when chemotherapy is completed. Dr. L. said that I could call him anytime with questions or if I needed more medications.
Plus, I found some fun stuff:
Afterwards, I walked about center city in the gorgeous too-early-for-spring weather. I got myself some groceries to have on hand at work. Then I met with my wonderful surgeon who said that my port was healing well. Dr. L. said that he didn't think that the metal clip, injected to mark the site of the tumor, "stuck", but he also did not seem to think that it would prevent the tumor site from being identified. He prescribed me a topical cream to numb the port area, so that it won't hurt the next time that the chemo nurses inject it. Yay! He offered me more painkillers, but I still have at least a week's worth. I won't get to see him again until June or July, when chemotherapy is completed. Dr. L. said that I could call him anytime with questions or if I needed more medications.
Plus, I found some fun stuff:
- chemo support
- some folks get to clean my place (hopefully next month)!
- delicious soup delivered to my house by a dear friend
- oh, I hope i can have these adventures next year!
- my neighbor doing my laundry and delivering it back
- yoga for cancer patients
- wig shopping this weekend
- free makeup and wig help
- manicure and facials
- 2 fantastic graphic novels (which I got pre-cancer and am lending to my mom) and this
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