Somehow, my birthday has taken on a little more meaning this year. It was extra special to have my sister and niece here and my friend Chi organized a party on my actual birthday, which was great!
I have been reading some inspirational books lately and feel like I need to really take charge of my life and make some changes. I'm not sure exactly what yet, but I want to make more of a difference on this earth and I want to be happier. Well, now that I have blogged about it, I better make it happen!
Things are going pretty well health-wise for me. Today was my second to last chemo treatment. I am finding that the only thing that this chemo seems to do is affect my brain (oh and lower my white and red blood cell counts). I don't get the very noticeable brain fog that I got on my first chemotherapy... but I do feel like I don't remember things well and am slow to comprehend and make decisions. This is hard when you work for a fast-paced, high tech company. So I asked my oncologist if it was possible that my brain was affected by the chemo and he said yes. I was pretty sure he was going to say no since he usually downplays the side effects but he confirmed it. Luckily, the side-effect is reversed when this is over with!
Sciatica-wise, the pain has actually been lessening. I have absolutely no idea why but... I'll take it! I still have pain standing and walking but nothing like before where I would want to cry, it was so bad. I won't be starting up running anytime soon (a definite sciatica pain awakener) but riding my bikes seems to work out ok.
I pretty much feel normal although my arms still have some stiffness around the shoulders and my chest hurts when it's pressed on (like when baby Chloe sits on my chest or pushes on it). hopefully that will go away when the expanders are taken out and real implants are put in. I haven't had a fill to my expanders in a while and plan to go in about another week or so. I don't want to get much larger, but I think they need to expand my right side bigger because the radiation tightens the skin and the muscle underneath, reducing the expanded area.
That's all for now. Happy April!
Mo
Boy Maureen, you look great (so does Chloe).
ReplyDeleteAnd I bet that with your smartness and quickness that you're still well ahead of the others in your business despite your perceived slow down, so that no one notices.
Happy belated birthday from Mike and Kathleen! I forgot its 4-7 and 7-4 :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the Sciatic pain is getting better!!Mine is about the same, but I know how to manage it MUCH better. For me it was the opposite. Sitting in certain chairs (sadly, both our cars... argggg!).. But walking/running is no problem at least.
It is good to read your posts Maureen, and nice to hear that you are making progress with the sciatica. I got the poofin recipes from Michelle a few days ago, and am going out to get the ingredients later today - then we'll have a potty (em.. party).
ReplyDeleteYou are looking so great! Your short hair really suits you - how is it that you are keeping it, even though you are still in chemo? My head looks like a baby's bum right now, but with enough prickly stubbs to make it not quite as appealing.
Sorry I missed your birthday - still think about you often. Nikki, Andre and Sacha came over yesterday, and we did a little gardening - fun to see them. XX
Happy (very) belated birthday! It should be easy to remember a fellow Aprilite but I always seem to forget. Glad that the back pain is easing a bit and that you had a good visit with the clan. I'm sure you are looking forward to getting that last chemo out of the way. Always inspiring to read your posts - you were always the tough chick of the Waterlooser gang!
ReplyDeleteCheers
I am so looking forward to seeing you when you are in Toronto - I'll not be going anywhere for a while. About your comment concerning infections - my oncologist has put the fear in me - stay away from anyone with a cold during days 9-14, wash all vegetables and food packages that come into the house, keep my hands away from my face, if I develop a fever of over 38 C then I must go to emerg for antibiotics immediately. During both chemos I have developed a small fever - never over 37.8, but enough to scare me. A night at East General emergency room is enough to scare anyone! Perhaps I am overreacting, but this is just my second chemo - I imagine that I will become more blase as time goes by. And about my so-called activity - with painting, there is always the option of stopping - there is no way I could get on a bike and ride for hours. Just reading about your treks exhausts me.
ReplyDeleteI love following your posts too - see you in June!
Anne XX