chemo 9

I woke up pretty excited this Friday morning. I just had to power through chemo and then I was on my way for a Gal’s weekend in Wintergreen/Charlottesville. I even finagled an extra bag of fluids to help keep my hydrated.

My cell counts were still a little low so another week with a 25% percent reduction in treatment. Also, I finally spoke up about this lovely rash on my face and they prescribed an antibiotic.

Okay, back to Gal’s Weekend! Seriously, it was everything I absolutely needed and I am more than thankful I felt good enough to enjoy the entire trip. We ALL forgot I have cancer a few times throughout. But then I can’t really shut up about it sometimes so they all let me ramble of course.

I got to really take my new wig out for a spin - and goodness I love her!! It’s insane how hair can make you feel like yourself.

Of course - the chemo steroids jolted me awake at 4am per usual. But, I got to sneak out to the living room and watch the sunrise from a big comfy chair covered in blankets. Then, when Leslie woke up she made us a cozy fire. I can’t tell you how amazing these women are. I said I needed a weekend away - they made it happen. Really, my heart is so damn full and I am so damn loved. I did sneak off for bed after dinner around 8:30pm but really that’s not all that different than pre-chemo me!

So, here’s the gift of Cancer. The cliche is true - you become more thankful. You’re jolted to a new reality of how fragile our lives are. I’m learning to live in the moment because the future is really fucking scary. I’m learning not to worry about those scary things ahead and just focus on the here and now. This weekend was a great test of that. There were so many moments where I could have cried tears of happiness. Where I just thought to myself - “wow, I am so happy and I feel so good.”

Now, I’m jolted back to reality! Recovering is a three day affair. The chemo fatigue hit and combined with regular Monday fatigue I was struggling. But, it’s a short week. There’s a promise of pie, and wine, and a Christmas Tree at the end of this week!