Day 2 was a good day - now on to day 3

Had a great day today (as the doc said I would). Only symptoms noticed today was a mild headache I woke up with but that's not entirely unusual for me, and some bloating in the belly area most of the day which I actually attribute to my new diet of organic food and the increase in veggies & fruit and large amount of protein intake. I think I'll buy some beano or some organic version of that type of thing to see if that helps at all. I had my Neulasta shot this morning to boost my white cell count and prevent infection and they warned it could cause bone pain but some people don't get that side effect. I'm not planning to get that side effect (or many others I've heard about) - I figure, if I decide to feel good, I will. We'll see how far that philosophy takes me but for now, that's my plan - to feel great all the time :). I know some who've been down this road before may be cringing right now at my naivity but that's OK. I will gladly eat my words later on if need be. So here I am, midnight - entering day 3 - the day that most of the ickies creep up on a person on chemotherapy. I was told days 3-7 are usually the worst. Maybe I really will be the exception. I'm following all the docs' suggestions and taking all the prescribed meds for avoidance of the ickies so now we wait and see, I guess. Ah the anticipation! ;/ If the ickies hit me on day 3 I'll be among those who understand and empathize since I'll be attending my very first breast cancer support group meeting down at UCLA. Bob suggested I have a barf bag handy in the car since I'll be driving down there by myself tomorrow. I was a bit perterbed at the suggestion - like he's assuming I'll be a mess on day 3 when I'd like him to assume this warrior wife of his will be totally fine. But, he's a realist so I think I'll make sure there's a few bags in the car before I head out in the morning - just in case. ;/ I'll bring my mini-pharmacy along too - just in case. LOL Speaking of pharmaceuticals...I just took a dose of melatonin and am starting to feel its effect so time to log off. PS - we actually did tackle the garage and the closets today! holy steroids! we trashed a lot of stuff, and pulled a lot more out for a garage sale this weekend and for eBay and craigslist selling for bigger ticket items (hello, baby equipment). I'm thinking that if I feel anything different today on day 3 it'll be back pain LOL.

Cycle 1, Day 1, rest of the day

After the treatment was over, I came home and started working on getting my protein for the day so that I would meet/exceed my new daily requirement. Had a great, healthy lunch of chicken breast, a side of home made four bean salad, and a side of broccoli (100% organic). After lunch, mom and I headed out to find a local organic market, Lassens, that I first learned about from my fantabulous friend, Kristy, who has a Lassens in her area and then I got online and found out they have one near me too! I stocked up on more organic staples and ingredients that will help ensure I can feel "normal" and prepare a variety of meals and snacks as needed/desired. This organic diet is super expensive and it's forcing me to get a move on with cleaning out Cooper's closet of clothes and equipment he has outgrown - they'll be on craigslist and ebay very soon LOL. Don't worry, Denise, you'll get first dibs before anything goes online :). After shopping I joined my awesome friend and neighbor, Clare, for a swift 30 minute evening walk with Cooper. It's been too hot (upper 90's/low 100's) to do outdoor walks during the day so we either go first thing in the morning or later in the evening (and I'm just not a morning person right now, so there ya go!). It felt great to be moving again and to get caught up. The fresh air was great for Cooper and he feel asleep and was easy to get him to bed afterward too, thankfully. Next, I got to work following Dr.Hardy's advice on preemptive side effect avoidance techniques - mainly to prevent dry mouth and mouth sores by dissolving Glutamine in water, swishing and gargling and swallowing it (2-3x/day), plus making myself a cup of Throat Coat tea with honey. Not the greatest tasting stuff but the slimy nature of it is what I need since chemo targets fast growing and duplicating cells - including healthy ones that line and protect our mouth from infection. I have special moisture drops, toothpaste and gum that I will use as well. Tomorrow we'll move a humidifier to my nightstand since it gets very dry in our bedroom. Besides the preemptive work to protect my mouth, I also began my at-home anti-nausea medication. There are three of them - three of which are required during the first three days, one is optional. Plus a steroid that I have to take for days 1-3. I can't help but laugh when I hear that days 3-7 are usually the toughest - after all, they load you up on all the good meds days 1-3 and then you stop them and voila! Well, I'm hoping to avoid the voila part of that equation with all my extra holistic steps. Intending for the best outcome, but prepared for setbacks too - warrior style, of course. I'm taking Vicodin for the port incision pain, and Ativan as needed for agitation or for sleep. The incision pain should subside by the end of the week. I'm not very agitated, yet - but I suppose that if I start having some gnarly side effects (or if that steroid keeps me up) I could become so, thus it's nice to have this stuff handy. I have to add these medications and remedies to my checklist asap so I don't forget any of them. Meantime, Michelle gave me a great list typed out with instructions. Michelle is so sweet and reminded me that if I have any questions or concerns I can call her at work or at home since she's just a few houses down the block. I love you, Michelle! OK - time to test out that melatonin since I could type and surf for many more hours the way my mind is working right now and that would not be good. Tomorrow I head back to the local UCLA infusion center for my Nuelasta shot, and then we're really going to attack the closets and get things organized for sale on craigs list, ebay, and a yard sale. I need more order (and money) in my life to support my cleaner, organic, and stress-free lifestyle. I have lots of plans for this week: meditation class, attend a UCLA BC support group, check out a new church locally, and enlist my folks' help to get organized to sell baby clothes and gear -- and I am determined to not let any chemo-related issues interfere with any of it. I am going to feel great, no matter what, because my liquid gold (chemo) is doing what God intends for it to do - make me well again. So that's that! :)

I'm full...

...of saline (these boobs are toting around 425 cc's of saline EACH! LOL) ...of hope ...of determination ...of curiosity ...of wonder ...of love ...and shortly I will be full of organic food because I'm HUNGRY haha :) I hope you're having a wonderful day - living life to the fullest, enjoying your loved ones and remembering that life is precious - don't waste even a second of it. PS - My booby expansion procedure today was painless and easy - what a huge relief that was! hopefully it won't be too sore when the muscle relaxer and pain pill wears off later on. If I'm feeling up to it I may be cleaning out closets tonight to get organized for a yard sale this weekend...time to purge the crap haha.