MY CANCER JOURNEY
Well, I know one thing. You guys that have continued to read this blog post after post, especially lately, are glutton for negativity. But I have something different for you today-something pleasant and positive. (BTW-Thanks for sticking through the rough stuff with me.)
When I left off on my last post, it was the day before a new chemo drug at a new clinic. Strangely, I was excited to start chemo again, because that meant that I was one step closer to being FINISHED with chemo. But there were a lot of things that were still causing anxiety within me, namely being at a new-to-us clinic and receiving a different round of chemo drugs that have a very negative reputation. But Paul and I were prepared, both physically and mentally for what was about to happen.
Thankfully, yet also sadly at the same time, I have an acquaintance from church who is combating Cancer right now as well. She had the same diagnosis as me, but just a few months ahead of me. She has helped to mentally prepare me for each step of this journey by sharing her experiences and letting me know what to expect. When I let her know it was finally time to start this round, she encouraged me to get a white board, or something like that, to mark off days of this part of the journey. She said it was helpful to look forward to the “release” of the hold the drugs would have on my body. As you can see, she said that expected “release” would happen somewhere around day 9-11. Ugh. A week and a half of feeling like crap. I didn’t like it, but I was thankful to have some guidance as to what to expect.
On Thursday, August 29th, at SEVEN THIRTY AM (strong emphasis from someone who is NOT a morning person), I walked into the new clinic to start labs and then head to infusion. Let me just say, the experience at this new clinic was completely different from the other clinic we had been using. As we walked in, we were greeted with a smiling face behind the state-of-the-art check in system where you drop your ID into a computer and it instantly knows who you are and why you are checking in. When the receptionist told us we could go on back to labs and we responded stating we didn’t know where that was, she didn’t just point and direct, she got up out of her chair and personally walked us to the lab and assured us that we could ask anyone if we had more questions about the facility. We never got personalized service like that where we were before.
The lab experience was very different as well. Instead of one large open room with several chairs of patients either giving blood, or getting ports accessed, this lab was sectioned off with curtains providing privacy for every patient. Again, when my nurse found out it was my first infusion at this facility, she was more than happy to explain a few things and made sure that I was comfortable and felt welcomed. Not only the privacy and the hospitality were different, but also the extra measures of cleanliness and thoroughness that I saw. Needless to say, I was very much put at ease that we had made the right choice with our change.
The pleasant surprises continued throughout our interactions and experiences. When I finished up at the lab, I headed upstairs and down the hall to infusion. We were pleasantly surprised to see a large welcoming waiting room with a full bookshelf library and a display of head coverings and beanies that were free to whomever needed or wanted one. This was a HUGE contrast to a small, cramped room with maybe five or six chairs, where most people had to wait out in the main hallway at the last clinic. Not only that, but I was also pleased to see signage about Art Appreciation classes and yoga, not to mention a sign stating that I could request a private wig fitting where I would be gifted a wig of my choosing!
Upon being shown to my infusion chair, my nurse did a very detailed and thorough check of my previous experiences and guided me through what I should expect during infusion here. When I say detailed, I mean it!
This clinic is SPOTLESS and clean! Oh, and friends, did I mention that the infusion chair came complete with the options for HEAT and MASSAGE?!?! OKAAAAAY!
Now for meds–I knew this regimen of chemo drugs would be different but I didn’t expect all the pre-drugs to be different as well. Honestly, I was a bit bummed when I found out I would not be getting Benadryl. I had actually come to really look forward to those naps! The one I was intrigued with was an injection called Sustol that I got in my belly. I was told it was a super duper high powered nausea med that would gradually release into my body over a 5-day period. I really liked the sound of that until I saw the needle! Holy Moley! That thing was thick! Thankfully my nurse numbed the injection site with an ice pack before poking my tummy. Add in another nausea med and some steroids, and then it was time for the nasties. Before we knew it, we were done and headed back home to wait for the inevitable.
Thursday: Not too bad. I was able to eat a bit of dinner.
Friday: Ick. No appetite. I just laid around and tried to survive.
Saturday and Sunday: More of the same. Zero appetite. Strong nausea and gag reflex but no vomiting. I literally just laid there. I found myself sleeping a lot but I was okay with that because it meant time was passing and I wasn’t conscious for it.
Monday: Symptoms started to ease up. I was finally able to eat a bit without gagging. When I am able to eat, I build my energy and start to feel “normal” again.
Tuesday and on: Each day was a bit better!
FRIENDS! Did you catch that? Only FOUR truly awful days when I had expected nine to eleven!
We aren’t quite sure why my experience was so different. Was it all my diet changes? Was it the addition of all the extra vitamins and supplements I have started taking? Is it the mistletoe therapy? Is it the naturopathic treatments I am receiving? Is it simply an answer to prayer?
Maybe all of these combined. I am not sure so we are just going to keep doing them ALL!
I am now twelve days out of treatment and enjoying a mostly normal lifestyle. Paul and I have enjoyed a great date night in downtown Tulsa, having dinner at In the Raw Vu, one of our favorites, and then walking around the First Friday Art Crawl. I enjoyed going to the theatre to see Waitress with my mom and daughter. We have a packed week ahead of us with tickets to see Anne Wilson, and then attend Sip and Savor, a fundraising event for the Stonebrook Project. I am thrilled to attend the fundraiser because it is something that I am personally benefiting from with their oncology massages. There are still a few tickets left to the event if you want to come as well. Or if you are interested in making a donation to them, I will link it below.
OUR GOD IS SO GOOD!
We are praising God for guiding us to the perfect clinic for the remainder of my chemo. We are thanking Him for easing the side effects of the drugs and restoring my health.
We are praying that the awful side effects associated with chemo will remain minimal and insignificant throughout the rest of my treatments.
I am continually asking the Lord that He will place people in my path that need to see Him; that I will be able to be His hands and feet.
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