Now - the first night of chemo - I was HANGRY (Hungry and Angry/Anxious) and the food and night meds that I needed to take were delayed getting to me. All I remember is my sweet Mother offering different foods to me, (none of which I wanted even though I wanted something) and us finally settling on chicken salad and club crackers and me going to sleep on the couch until the meds arrived. As I think back, I can hardly remember that night that was less than 7 days ago - it doesn’t even feel like that was me.
After that night, post-chemo was not too bad at all. I remember one day/night I had really bad hiccups - which is a side-effect of one of the meds I should be taking for nausea. But then I had a conversation with myself, I’m not nauseous so why am I taking this drug that gives me these terrible hiccups and makes me tired. So I stopped and that was a turning point of when I started feeling better and more like myself. During this chemo treatment I’ve learned you MUST listen to your body, have more frequent check-ins and conversations with yourself. You have to remember to drink water and when you think you had enough - keep drinking! You also have to keep eating - every 2-3 hours (small meals). That’s hard for me because usually I’ll get wrapped in work and I’ll eat 1-2 times a day (larger meals).
I think feeling better has also come from my visitors. On Saturday 9/10, I had 2 visitors come out to my parent’s house. Natasha and Fantasia came and their company was great because I have not seen them in a long while and they brought guests and goodies. Natasha brought her 2 daughters by and they colored pictures for me and brought me a rose plant. Fantasia brought Smallcakes by and informed me that there is a location in Rockwall. Side note: if you all have not had Smallcakes - get there! There is also a location at Mockingbird Station in Dallas and I’m a huge fan of the owner. It was great catching up with them out at the parent’s house because I feel it’s so far but it was already close for Natasha and Fantasia just needed to see me and check in. On Monday 9/12, I returned to my apartment (that I’ll be moving out of next week) and Mia M. stopped by from church. I was very happy to see her because she has lived around the corner from me for a while but we were never really able to meet up. She’s sweet…she brought goodies too! Homemade chicken noodle soup and it included a nice presentation.
On 9/13-9/16, I went back to work at the Bristol office. It was uneventful (and busy) and I thought I could get through the week without going to the doctor’s office but I’m learning that those days are gone for a while. On Thursday 9/15, I had 2 appointments - Advance Directives and Genetic Testing. With Advance Directives and Living Will, it’s not really something fun to talk about but it’s something that you would want in order if it was needed. The meeting had a positive and serious tone. It was interesting to hear all the ways they will keep people “alive” in a hospital at the end of life but then it was important to discuss “quality of life” and what that means to me. Now, I’m not thinking it’s needed at this time (for me with this illness) but I’ll be finishing up the paperwork and getting that filed away. Enough of that…That meeting was followed by a meeting with the Genetic Counselor. This information can aid in sorting out surgery options (which will not happen for me for another 19 weeks). I already know which way I’m leaning but they will be testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BReast CAncer genes 1 and 2) and other cancer genes. This is all VERY interesting to me because there is basically no cancer in my family history. I filled out a lengthy questionnaire (that included aunts, uncles, 1st cousins, etc.) before this appointment and it produced a family tree with health information. I’ll have to get a copy of that for my family record. The testing results will come back about 5 weeks and I’m sure there will be more to report on that later.
Oh! I just thought this was interesting to share. On Facebook, I am delivered a Message from God at random times and this is the last one that was sent to me on 9/15…
Today, Kimberly, we believe God wants you to know that you influence those around you.
Think well about the seeds you are planting as you influence the people around you every day. You can plant seeds of impatience, fear, and frustration, or of love, contentment, and faith. It’s up to you!
Very random and timely at the same time!
Next up…my provisional year with Junior League of Dallas, the big chop prior to chemo hairloss and other musings on my week.
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