Carpe Diem

Half Way There!

Strapped to the ChemoPoison Torture Chair now .... but when this cocktail is finished, I'll be HALF-WAY DONE with the hard chemo!!  Woohoooooo!  Sounds like a cause for celebration - all of you need to go drink a bottle of wine for me, ok?

At least I get some work done while I'm stuck here!

The past week was great (no, really!).  The docs let me travel to Ft. Bragg for a court hearing, even though when this all started back in January, they were adamant that I would not be allowed to travel until May.  According to the oncologist, I have the blood work of an 18 year old (note he didn't say the "body" of an 18 year old.....), despite all the poison he's been pumping into me, so he let me travel. 

Doug came with me to make sure I listened to my body and didn't overdo it.  (Not sure why you all think I'm going to overdo it all the time....).  It was a successful trip.  Well, American Airlines did fail to transport our luggage, but in the grand scheme of things, that was a pretty minor blip.  

All geared up to resist all the germ-carriers on the flight!

It felt great to be back in the saddle in court.  I could have done without all the pity stares from the gallery, but I rocked the bald head and flat chest in my Army B's (semi-dress uniform we use for court hearings - no blinged up jacket, but skirt and heels required).  I even consumed a beer during a team dinner - and guess what??? - I lived to tell about it!  There's hope!!!!  😎

So, since that trip went so well, the doc is now inclined to let me go again, as long as the scheduling coincides with my ChemoPoison-related effects, and presumably if I continue to have the blood work of an 18 year old.  

The neat thing about feeling good during the last 10 days of a chemo cycle means I have something to look forward to during the purgatory of the first 10 days.  There's always a light at the end of the tunnel (and its not always an oncoming train).  So, as I sit here today, knowing that I probably won't emerge from under the Big Fuzzy Grey Blanket for the next week, it's OK because I'll eventually feel better (and maybe good enough for a therapeutic hoppy beverage during week 3).

If you're curious about what I was doing in court at Ft. Bragg, check out one of these articles:

Associated Press Article

New York Times OpEd

Well, at least I have my Halloween costume for next year.  Until then, I think I'll stick with Bald and Flat!!!  😏

Winning

I'm back, bitches!

Friday was tough.  Cried at chemo.  Yelled at Doug (I know, right??).  Hollered at the dog.  Threw myself a pity party for one Friday night.  And then went to bed, determined to wake up Saturday morning and win.

And I did.

I was so goddamned cheery Saturday morning, Doug asked if I had a fever.

And then even though it was cold and damp, and my joints were screaming, I walked 5 miles at a damned good pace.

Then I kept a lunch date with my Survivor Sister, even though it would have been easier to just stay under the blankets.  Turns out pizza and laughter is good for the body and the mind!

And you know what?  It worked.  I got my mojo back.

So f*ck you, Cancer.  F*ck you ChemoPoison.  You don't get to cramp my style.  This bitch is back, and I'm winning.

Round Two: Defeat

Not gonna lie ..... this was an awful week.  Last Friday was my second rodeo with the "triple cocktail" and it literally knocked me on my ass ..... all week.  Until today, I haven't done much else but sleep and sit around cursing my decision to do this chemo thing.  But then today I woke up and my head was a little clearer, my joints were a little more mobile, and life looked a little bit brighter.  

Of course, this is just in time to go get poisoned again tomorrow.  (The usual author of this blog, the annoyingly positive one, has stepped out for a bit .... she'll be back eventually)