Thankful days - feeling pretty good.

I got sick the end of October and feel like I've been fighting a battle with my body since, with a very cherished break in January during which I hosted dear friends. I felt pretty good that month with lots of energy, thankfully. 

February had me feeling like I was racing the clock. The lymphoma appeared to be "taking off," the way the doctors had predicted. I could have gone into the hospital and started CHOEP chemo but I was hoping to make it till I could start the clinical trial. I would picture myself trying to get on a moving Merry-Go-Round that would moving too fast. Would I make it? I couldn't get in to see Dr. Haverkos until mid May. I was so so happy when I started it - it's just a simple combo of 2 drugs as I think I've described before. 

Unfortunately, I started feeling worse and worse on it over time. I was scared to tell them how badly I felt but I was honest. 

After meeting weekly with the clinical coordinator (Celeste)  of the trial and various Physicians Assistants / Nurse Practitioners, Celeste set up a zoom call with one of them who specializes in chemo induced nausea (Kelley). We went through it all. I wasn't taking enough Zophran (when I forgot to take it one evening, I woke about 11pm vomiting). We were on a little trip with son and daughter-in-love to Breckenridge when I didn't take enough, vomited, and we all went home early. They prescribed a medication for at night as well, because it can cause sleepiness. I no longer take the Hydroxizine (prescription level Benadryl) as this new med seems to help with sleep enough. She also wanted me to start taking Omneprazole but I am very leering of these drugs so I have held back taking that. 

There have been times over the past few months that packing a bag to go out of town would bring me to tears in fatigue; I was just not able to face simple tasks many days. 

We've either cut short or cancelled several engagements. It really started to do something to my psyche that I couldn't plan even the simplest chores because there was a good chance I wouldn't be able to do it the next day. Just before Mother's Day, I felt more stable. We went to a graduation party in Boulder and I felt pretty good. Mother's Day was different - not being with any of my sons for the 1st time - but my dear hubby and 5 year old grandson made Hailey, the girls, and me a beautiful meal and Hailey and I took the girls for their first mani's/and Pedie's. It was so fun! Mason, our youngest, came with me for several appointment the day after and it made what could have been a chore of a day - a joy. 

I started acupuncture to add to my chiropractic and light therapy to keep trying to find something that will help with all my "ouwies." I hate to share when the pinched nerve in my neck or the rashes or the "nausea" is flaring up. I did all of these May 14, the day before we were to leave to Cancun with Cameron, Hailey, and our very excited grandkids. 

I got a miracle. I am so overwhelmed with gratitude for those people who have prayed for me! I got a fabulous week with them. There were twinges of all the problems - but essentially I felt good. I am terribly our of shape with the sedentary life I've been leading - but I feet good. 

Coming home, I have vowed to focus on fruits, veggies, and quality protein more. I've slid into bad habits. I want to move and work my body every day. I walked with an An-Anon friend before our meeting Thursday and did yard work the next day. I've been so sore since, I had to take a coupe days off. "Progress, Not Perfection!"

I meet with Dr. Haverkos in a few days to review the results of the PET Scan and labs. I have access to the reports already. There are some new lymph nodes and some from before are smaller. It will be interesting to hear what he has to say. 

Onward and Upward. Thank you so much if you are one of the many who have prayed for me! 







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