8-3-14 Getting' My Game Face On

It's kind of hard to describe just what chemotherapy feels like. The actual Chemo Day is not too bad, really. First, head off to the lab for bloodwork. Then a quick visit with the doctor. Then you go into The Room--a big, airy room with lots of recliners and four little rooms off the the side. (Since I'm a long-term resident, at eight hours, I get a room. Yippee!!) And very nice nurses.

They hook you up and then give you all sorts of wonderful drugs that keep you from throwing up or keep you from getting anxious, then they slip in the "Big Guns" here and there, the drugs that are meant to kill all the cancer. I really never feel too bad this day.

The next week is the time to contemplate the couch. Pure exhaustion sets in. The kind that makes it feel like it's too much work to sit at the table to eat. All the anti-nausea drugs keep your tummy feeling strange, not a terrible feeling, but a not normal and not really nice feeling.

After about a week to ten days there is a day of "Hmmm. I might feel somewhat better." And each day is just a little bit better. Then…just when you're thinking that church is do-able or that you can make a quick trip to Home Goods (this shows my priorities, right?) it's time to start over again. With the prophecy that each time gets a little bit more.

So, it's not with fun emotions that I announce that next Wednesday is my 2nd Chemo Day. I dread it. But, when it's done I can say I am 33% done (thanks, Debbie, for looking at it that way!)

We had Luke last weekend. Originally we had a trip to Storm Lake, Iowa, scheduled for the whole family, but had to cancel that. I am not sure who was sadder about that--Luke or Grant. So, Loy took Luke up to Sioux Falls to see everyone up there. They go-karted, laser tagged, ate giant donuts, played video games. Everything a boy and Luke would hope for!!!  It was a wonderful 24 hours!! I asked Luke, when they returned, "What was the best part?" His answer? "Every. Single. Minute." I'm sure Grant agreed.

I had told Luke I would show him my bald head if he wanted. If he didn't want to see it, I would not. So when he got here I said, "Do you want to see my head?" "No, not really…but if you really want to show me…" I took that to mean that he was kind of interested but thought it might be creepy. It's a lot of things, but I don't think "creepy" is one of them. So I said, "How about I just show you real quick, then you'll know and not have to wonder?" So he agreed. He was very sweet. Then I said, "Want to see me in some wigs?" (Lex had brought me two wigs.) I had Luke close his eyes then put on Wig #1. Luke said, "I'm not feelin' it." Then Wig #2: "OK, now you're creeping me out. But I like your scarf." Guess he's not a big fan of me as a blonde!!

This week my friend, Dawn, from Sioux Falls, came down for a couple days. It was so good to see her. We sat around and watched "America's Got Talent" (my new vice!) and did a little shopping. (Loy says my stamina is w-a-y down. I can only make it to two carefully selected stores, then have to go home.) Dawn inspired me to buy some yarn to make an afghan. And she brought a yummy supper. And she gave Loy a much deserved reprieve from doing the dishes. It was a very fun little interlude!! Thanks, Dawn!

So, if you happen to think of me in the next few days, and want to pray, here are some ideas…

1. Pray that God will once again spare me from nausea. Pharmaceuticals are great, but God is the one working through them.

2. White blood counts are normally between 4,000 and 10,000. That first week, mine fell to 580. That means I am very vulnerable to infection during that time. Pray they don't go any lower than that. That they would rebound quickly.

3. Last time I had a sore throat for a week in there. I am praying that was an actual infection, not a side effect. My thinking is that if it was an infection, it won't happen again and I may feel a bit better during days 5-10 or so.

4. Pray I would have some food that sounds good and that I can eat. I really struggled to eat last time and I felt all the weaker because of that.

There you have it. My life in a nutshell. The excitement that is my life. I think I'll go lay on the couch now.

Love,

Kitt.

Today I made my first visit to church since treatment began. I have a theory on fashion. If you hold your head high and wear things (like hats) with confidence and a smile, people think you are cutting edge, not just some crazy lady with a thing for hats.  :)