Round 2 is done - almost halfway there!

I haven’t updated my blog lately as to my own thoughts and feelings so figured it was time. Round 2 of chemo is done and over with (I had my 2nd chemo session on October 26th. The symptoms lasted a little longer this time around and in case you’re wondering as to my “hair update,” it’s still hanging in there but there’s a lot less of it.

I had some interesting food aversions this time around and some interesting cravings. For example, on the Friday after chemo, all I wanted was classic Hawaiian Punch! Hello, I haven’t had that for a good 10 years. How random! My aversions to protein and veggies lasted a lot longer this time (over a week and a half) and I think I’ve pretty much given up coffee since I also had a pretty long aversion to that. I used to be a one cup a day gal, maybe 2 depending on my day, but the taste became too bitter to me, no matter how much sugar and creamer I dumped into it. Add in some added stomach problems coupled with nausea and acid reflux, and I had a whole lot of fun this time around. Fortunately, I slept A LOT during my recovery, which was very good for me.

One of my best friends, Nicole, is pregnant and I swear, we have the SAME symptoms. She came over one night to bring me dinner and we sat there and compared our symptoms and they were exactly the same. I’ve also had numerous women tell me they recall their own pregnancies when they read my symptoms. I tell you – this does NOT make me want to be pregnant AT ALL. But….as everyone tells me, I can make that decision at a later date and time, and as an alternative option, I’ve got my “kids” frozen in Minnesota ;-)
Anyone want to volunteer to be my surrogate? LOL.

My job has been great. I’ve now switched from a full time employee to basically being an independent contractor as I’m paid only by the hours I bill. At first, this upset me and when I thought about it, I realized I was upset because I’m always of the mentality that I can do anything, and this was one of the first events where I felt the cancer was “limiting” me. Sigh. However, in hindsight, this was an amazing offer because now I don’t feel as guilty if I’m too exhausted to come in exactly at 9 and don’t feel guilty when I leave “early” at 5 pm. I also don’t feel so bad when I spend some time working on my 2nd job – managing my breast cancer – at work as I know I’m just not getting paid for that time.

Work has also been taking a lot out of me as I find I’m pretty exhausted when I come home every day and I have just enough time to make dinner (usually defrost some dinner one of you have generously made for me) and watch an hour or 2 of TV. I’m usually asleep by 10 pm.

During my hair loss, I’ve found my scalp has completely become irritated and it itches…A LOT. I have finally let my guard down a bit with Jason and allowed him to shave my head a few weeks ago (about a week after it was initially shaved) and now I’m ok with him literally spraying my head at night with cortisone spray to alleviate the itching. I also NEVER thought I’d be comfortable with walking around the house with my bare head in front of him but it’s true what everyone says – at a certain point, you just say screw this and get over any insecurities. My head needs to breathe and the highlight of my day is taking off my wig when I get home from work. I thought for sure my hair would be gone by now but it’s stubbornly hanging on and now I just look like an old man with thinning hair, but fortunately a much prettier version! Haha.

My next chemo is coming up next week and I’m VERY excited to report that I will be attending the Look Good, Feel Better program sponsored by the American Cancer Society next Wednesday, 11/16/11, after my chemo. This is a complimentary workshop that teaches beauty techniques to female cancer patients to help them combat the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. I will be attending a group program which is a “step-by-step makeover learning session led by cosmetology professionals using products donated by the cosmetic industry. Each two-hour, hands-on workshop includes a 12-step skin care and makeup lesson, nail care techniques, and professional advice on how to deal with hair loss using wigs, scarves, hats, hairpieces, and other accessories. Patients at various stages of treatment receive personal attention and take home instruction booklets and complimentary cosmetic kits in shades that match their skin tones. Each year, more than 50,000 individuals participate in small groups of five to 10 that create a sense of support and community.” I can’t wait!

I’ve also been lucky enough to be accepted into the Chemo Angels program. “Chemo Angels is a volunteer organization dedicated to adding a ray of sunshine to the lives of those undergoing IV chemo treatment. We believe people going through the physical, emotional and mental rigors of chemotherapy deserve lots of encouragement. Many of our Chemo Angel volunteers are cancer survivors themselves, or people whose lives have been affected by cancer in some way. Our common denominator is a desire to brighten the lives of cancer patients while they are going through this challenging time.”

I have been “adopted” by both a Chemo Angel and a Card Angel who, through cards, cheerful notes, and occasional small inexpensive gifts, support and encourage me for the duration of my course of treatment. I am very grateful for both of my Angels! Nothing makes my day more than coming home to a card or package.

Finally, in answering the age-old question of what you can do to help, here are a few things:
(1) I love getting cards or packages in the mail. It makes this rough time that much easier. Emails and Facebook messages are great too as they don’t require an instant response and I can get to them when I can.
(2) I also am very grateful for all of you who have cooked for me. It helps. Food is always appreciated.(I just have weird cravings and food aversions so please just check with me first.)
(3) I haven’t had the energy to go to grocery shopping in over a month. If you have the time to help me out with that just to pick up a few things, I’d greatly appreciate it!
(4) While I don’t consider myself “seriously” ill (for those of you who have stopped by and gotten a goody bag, there’s some irony in the word choice), but I did find a good website for suggestions:
http://crazysexylife.com/2011/what-to-say-to-a-newly-diagnosed-cancer-patient/
(I changed the link here on 11/14/11 as I found a much better one!)
(5) If you’re reading this and are a part of Jason’s or my parents’ lives, I am very aware that caring for someone undergoing chemotherapy can be very time-consuming and fatiguing. They need some fun time too so anything you can do to help them out is much appreciated as well!
(6) Most importantly, just checking in on me helps as people always love to feel loved, plus if you asked me once before if I needed something and I said no, that answer may change later on.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!