My 3rd session of WBR went smooth and quick. I was in and out. Except afterwards, I had to wait for the nurse to tell me about the side effects and management of it. She didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. She did mentioned that other than the chance of thinning of hair and perhaps even loosing my hair, that my ears may get red or look like a sunburn from the radiation beams. To manage it, she tells me to apply certain lotions like Cetaphil after treatment.
Just before heading to speak with the nurse, since it's my 3rd day now, having seen familiar faces of patients, I chatted with some of the friendly patients there. I spoke with 2 ladies who each tell me of their own diagnosis and journey. Each have different cancers and they each have hope that they will recover. Lucky for them, certain cancers are so much more curable than others. Unlucky for me. Mine is incurable. Sigh.. We didn't chat for too long since each of us were called in. But, it was nice to hear each patient's unique story and connect with other women who have cancer.
After treatment, as we drove back, it was near lunch time and a surge mixture of tiredness, fatigue and nausea hit me. I tried to take it easy and just ate a small bowl of soup for lunch. But by 5 PM, I was ready to call it a day. Thank goodness it was Friday and I have a break from treatment for the weekend.
After interacting with the kids, helping them with some Kumon, even the kids were beat and by 8 PM, we were ready for bed. We read some bedtime stories and as the kids drifted off to sleep, it was finally a moment of downtime for me. I caught up with my reading of other's inspirational blogs.
I slept alright throughout the night. But, fatigue lingered. By morning and throughout the day, fatigue and nausea consumed me. Nevertheless, not wanting to miss out in my kids activities, I dragged myself to be apart of their day; watching my son in his baseball game, the girls' last recital hip hop dance class, Ellen's Sweet Heat T ball game, Kumon, their cousin A's 5th Birthday party and the girl's ballet class. It's been a crazy, fun filled day as usual, packed with so much activities, love, happiness and joy; at least for the kids. I did squeeze in a much needed nap though just before the Birthday party so no worries.
Now, it's almost 8 PM and I am overcome with exhaustion and fatigue. It's only been 3 WBR sessions and I already dread how much more of this I can handle. This is hell alright. Misery. Painful agony. In a zombie like state, with fatigue overpowering me. So heading to bed now. Rest. Peace. Serenity. 3 down. 12 more sessions to go. Lots of Love.
I don't know how you do it, Fawn. In the face of all these setbacks, you still manage to get the most out of your time with family and life in general.
ReplyDeleteOne of my co-workers, a male, has pancreatic cancer. He's going through chemo right now, and that kind of cancer for men has a high chance of coming back. And like you, he's healthy too. It saddens me that these things happen to good people, such as yourself.
Please hang in there. We're all rooting for you. I hope the rest of your WBR sessions will be easier on you and that you get some much-needed rest.