Week 1

Day 2 (Saturday May 2nd)

Felt like I was going to throw up most of the day; same nauseous feeling from yesterday.  Maybe having surgery and chemo on the same day wasn't such a good idea after all.  

Had a package from Clara and her family and some friends from Iowa.  Great timing and the kids loved it too.  Thank you!  How blessed we are to have wonderful friends. 

Day 3 (Sunday May 3rd)

I walked to church.  I decided Friday I was going to go to church.  Chemo wasn't going to stop me. Walking is nice, and I felt MUCH better than Friday and Sat.  I think this is what chemo must feel like, surgery aside.  Still on pain meds for my surgery.  The nausea meds don't seem to be working and just leave me feeling groggy. 

I took a 30 min. snooze in the van second hour of church, and was ready for our Primary class 3rd hour.  The bishopric asked if I wanted to be released from my calling, but I told them to please leave me in. Children heal the soul.  

Day 4 (Monday May 4th)

Woke up this morning feeling gross, like I was in a different body.  It was hard to get up, or to even want to get up.  I didn't feel like doing anything.   I hate waking up. It's like a foggy brain and waking up in a different body. Creepy and disturbing are the best words I can come up with. 

Day 5 (Tuesday May 5th)

Woke up feeling awesome - the best I have felt yet.  I took two Tylenol this morning because I had a killer headache.  Had our morning walk and didn't take any drugs the rest of the day.  Still had a nudging headache all day, like if I jumped up and down my head would hurt, and I still feel a little pull on my neck from surgery but no nausea. Wahoo!!!

Jenny stopped by for a quick visit and it was so great to see her.  She cleaned my kitchen while we chatted, and I haven't gotten tired yet talking about cancer.  She brought over a cute journal titled "One day at a time" and a head wrap (is that even what you call it?) for me to wear.  Dakota tried it on and it looked super cute.  I loved it - still terrified to wear it.  What if it looks awful and then I can't do anything about it?  Maybe I'll just wear them and not look in the mirror.  (Side note - I put it on this evening and Bryce and the girls said I looked cute.  I looked in the mirror and I think I will be ok with them.)  Btw - love it Jenny...just still getting used to the idea.  :) 

Mindy is here!  So fun to have her and Nate and the kids here.  They met us at Tay's soccer game.  It's fun to watch cousins play.  Mindy made me sit tonight while she did all the work.  Felt really weird...but it was kind of nice at the same time. 

Tips to remember: Curry always sounds good, and I think mint-flavored gum will help with nausea.  (At least Camryn's bubblicious flavored gum does (actually it's my gum that she gifted to herself, but she shares so willingly).  :)

Day 6 (Wednesday May 6th)

Tried today and feeling weak. I wonder if I over exerted myself yesterday but I didn't do anything too strenuous. I think I'm feeling this way because of my lack of sleep last night. I hard a hard time going to sleep, woke up a few times, and had a hard time going back to sleep. I finally realized why. Sleep was easy when i was on my pain killers and nausea medicine which are both sedatives. Now I'm off, and one of the side effects of chemo is difficulty sleeping (not sure why). Hopefully I can get some sleep tonight. Feeling a little nauseous but I feel so much better being off of all this medication so I think I'll stick it out a bit longer. Besides smelling peppermint helps. :)

Mindy is awesome. She takes care of me and my family while still taking care of hers. Thanks Nate and Mindalon. You are my heroes. 

Day 7 (Thursday May 7th)

Mindy introduced me to a song today (Fight Song) - it's my new theme song.

Feeling good today. No drugs, no headaches. Just sore on my neck and left side from my port. Not sure if port surgery and chemo in the same day was a good idea. Both docs (oncologist and surgeon) said it wasn't a problem and people do it often. But I've wondered when and how I'm supposed to heal from my surgery with such a low immune system. I wish I had thought about that last week. Hope it heals soon. I'd like to hug my kids and have them sit on my lap without being careful. I didn't expect this until my real surgery later.  

Keeping up my 6:30am walks. My best time of the day. I feel the best, I enjoy the time with Bryce, the air is refreshing, and I start my day fighting. Wish I would have been this diligent in exercise when I actually had the strength to run. Guess i just needed a little motivation. :)