Chemo Cycle 1 Day 2

Yesterday I went in for my part 2 day of my chemo cycle 1. This means that for each of the 21 day chemo cycles that I'll be going through, I will go in two days in a row. The first day is the chemo infusion; the second day is the white blood cell infusion followed by 19 days of recovery. When 21 days are over, I then start the next cycle. So far here is my schedule of upcoming chemo treatments:

• chemo cycle 1 March 26-April 15
• chemo cycle 2 April 16-May 6
• chemo cycle 3 May 7- May 27
• chemo cycle 4 May 28-June 17

Since yesterday's appointment time was later in the day, at 1:30, I took advantage of a beautiful morning with a one mile walk with my son and my mom. It was the perfect image I wanted for the rest of the day -- peaceful streams, trails, and sounds of birds.

For this second clinic day I brought my mom which was great in many ways. It was a chance for her to sit still (she has so much energy!) and just relax and tell stories of her childhood. I love listening to stories and this definitely takes my mind off of reality. I love this distraction. Plus my mom has been so fearful and anxious of the entire process -- this visit somewhat demystified the process for her. She got to meet the chemo room folks as well as the reconstruction folks all in one afternoon. But she still did not want to watch any details.

As for what I'm currently feeling -- so far so good. If I continue with the analogy I created for my son of the chemo cocktail being like a steady stream of pirate ships being launched into my blood for a sea voyage, then at this current time the pirates seem to be cruising around my system. They have not yet seemed to have landed on any island; they have not yet struck any innocent bystander or inflicted pain. Then again, I'm heavily medicated which helps not feel much. Yesterday was my last steroid. Today, I had the first signs of tingling -- which is the first neuropathy sign, but not much. I've had some headaches, but these went away fast. Honestly the reconstruction pain is the real pain I feel now. Last night I woke up at 2am searching for the right meds thinking, "Do I take the percocet, vicadin, or valium?" I talked myself out of all the options initially then turned to the percocet as the drug of choice (constipates me, but I think it seems like the least harsh of the three pain meds for reconstruction). It's not long pain -- it reminds me of when I wore braces in middle school and the orthodontist tightens my teeth brackets which causes some pressure. With reconstruction, it's similar just in a different location of pressure with some additional spasms, but overall it's doable.

So as for how I'm approaching each day -- I'm going to take advantage of each beautiful day to do something that makes me appreciate life -- like take walks, enjoy the trees and flowers in bloom, read good books, balance some work as a teacher, homeschooling mom, clinician, and student wrapping up some loose ends prior to graduation in May. On days that are tougher, my plans are to rest.

Thank you for prayers and positive thoughts my way :)

This morning's walk before everyone woke up at my house (chemo cycle 1 day 3):

Walk in nature before appointment of day 2

chemo cycle 1 day 2 with my mom:

my chemo nurse:

my reconstruction nurse:

my surgeon pa:

chilling at home and telling hubby about day: