Going Up

My last chemo treatment was more than two weeks ago. I guess the novelty has worn off. Writing seems to be a chore. I've faced this page a couple of times but have contracted severe 'writer's block', no doubt brought on by the chemo. One excuse that comes easy- blame any character flaw, bad language, or body breakdown on the chemo! Nice to have a ready made reason for bad behaviour! I can hardly wait for and opportunity to burp in someone's ear or swear at the postman. Hey, maybe I'm up for sharing seal heart with the Governor General!

During the two days following this most recent smash of drugs, I thought this rotation was going to be sissy easy! Only rituximab was injected and no prednisone was part of the session. "Ah! Normal naps and sleep!" Each morning all I had to do was pop eight tiny fludarabine pills with a single gulp and plenty of water. Life was looking kinda rosy. Summer was breaking out and never ending sun filled the days. Oops! Midway through day three, with 24 pills and other sloshings synthesizing inside me, I was struck with a fatigue like a smothering cloud. I made friends with the couch and settled in to let the constant welcome naps run their course. It was eight days later before life began to return to something near normal. My bowels stopped protesting, my feet warmed, my fingers slowed their numbing and the bouts of fatigue came farther apart.

I'm in awe of the number of drugs available to use against cancer. http://www.chemocare.com/bio

When I questioned Dr Y about the change in my regimen, he was happy to point out that there were "many choices in the arsenal." It seems that if one doesn't work we search around to find one that will. It's a bit like bobbing for an apple. They're all out there floating around, easy to see, easy to touch, even easy to identify. But which one will let your teeth grab hold? Which one should you choose?

I've quit drinking Essiac Tea until eleven days after the chemo. I had a short discussion with Dr. Y about this. The reasoning goes like this. If a food contains antioxidants it could interfere with the impact of the chemicals which are expected to destroy the cancer cells. There is evidence that some patients taking mega doses of vitamins don't respond as well to chemotherapy. It's expected that after 11 days the chemo has run its course and my body is busy rebuilding antibodies, new cells etc. Maybe the tea can be effective during the interval until the next dash of chemicals. Whatever, I'm convinced that something which tastes so bad must be good for me!

We've been especially sensitive lately to things around us that might be dangerous to our health. There was a recent publication reported on CBC with an interview and in the local paper that highlights all the items around us that are entering our bodies. 'Death by Rubber Ducky!' Is anything safe anymore? The worst culprit seems to be microwaving in plastic, something I've done many times and is probably still done by thousands. Even pop cans might create problems with the substance used for their inner lining. Who knew pop cans had an inner lining? I thought a can was a can was a can! Yikes! There's no doubt that modern science creates as many problems as it solves or should that be 'more problems than it solves'? Time to curl up in the foetal position and hide in the closet but don't forget to remove all the synthetic fabrics first cuz they 'off gas'. And you thought it was your armpits!