What do all of the UAS teachers and students do for the English teacher the Monday after she finishes her last chemo? They all take off their shoes, put on some really silly socks, and wear some wigs. Then they come in all day bringing memes about finishing chemo and "take that" cancer cards and … Continue reading Silly Socks and Wigs
Cancer
The Dark Cloud
My therapist walked me through the circles of mental well-being and stability. Cancer shakes you to your core. How long it takes for you to get to your core varies person to person. For me, it was the Monday before my 11th chemo. I spent the morning with my boyfriend, took my car to get … Continue reading The Dark Cloud
The Days After Chemo Treatment 10
I had one goal this time...get to Valeria's party. My colleague and friend turned 50 this week. She has been planning and planning her big birthday bash. And Valeria is like me, she wants food, drinks, music, and dancing with a lot of people thrown in the mix. I wanted nothing more than to go … Continue reading The Days After Chemo Treatment 10
Chemotherapy Treatment Number Ten
I can't believe that I am finished with my fourth round. Only one more round (two sessions) left. One month is nothing but feels like forever. When I visualize the road, it gets more narrow, like I am Alice looking through the looking glass. There is no way I can fit and yet, the chemo … Continue reading Chemotherapy Treatment Number Ten
Chemotherapy Treatment Number 9
Only four more. That's what I keep telling myself and what my people keep celebrating. To the outside world, four more sounds like nothing. But to me, the person going through it, four more is the worst. I am just done with this. And this treatment was probably the worst of the lot. Not because … Continue reading Chemotherapy Treatment Number 9
One shot, Two Shots, Three Shots, Floor
Apparently alcohol and Neupogen are the exact same. When one too many accumulate in your system, you end up on the floor over a toilet or curled in a ball in pain. My white cells have been obstinate lately. I have been hitting below 1000 for several days and the doctor has been worried that … Continue reading One shot, Two Shots, Three Shots, Floor
The Days After Chemo Number 8
Chemo was postponed. Which means that recovery was postponed. A Poem Saturday I was tired. Sunday I was ok. Monday I was stubborn. Tuesday I worked all day. Saturday was spent on the couch watching hours of The Good Wife. At least I had recovered from the day of actual chemo. I was able to … Continue reading The Days After Chemo Number 8
Chemotherapy Treatment Number Eight
It may have been postponed by a day, but my chemo Amazons at school rallied. Carla came to pick Mom and I up around 8:15. She couldn't stay the whole time because of classes, but the fact that she came and people were willing to cover her first class means the world to me and … Continue reading Chemotherapy Treatment Number Eight
Chemotherapy Treatment Number Seven
Dear Hodgkin's Lymphoma patients, Do yourself a huge favor...GET A PORT FROM THE BEGINNING. I know surgeries are scary, and if you are like me, going under is worse than the thought of being stuck with a needle over and over again. DO NOT BE STUPID. Get the freaking port! It will save you months … Continue reading Chemotherapy Treatment Number Seven
Returning to Normal
A lot has happened this past week and a half. And everyone keeps asking why I have not blogged in a while. With school starting up again, plans with friends, weekends away, self-care appointments, doctor's appointments and dinner dates it has been a wild ride. But all are really good for me. I feel like … Continue reading Returning to Normal