Checking in on Amy

* * * * * * I published this post yesterday with the title "Send Good Vibes to My Platelets!" and have since learned that I 'passed' my bloodwork today and will be able to get my 4th treatment tomorrow, so THANK YOU, because your good vibes helped me believe that I would pass this test that I had very little control over. :)   * * * * * * As I suspected, it has been a lovely week full of long walks and time to enjoy my last few quiet days before summer break without any bad chemo side effects. I do have some growing anxiety about my blood test tomorrow; I have no way of knowing how much my platelets have recovered (or not recovered) and do not enjoy that feeling of helplessness. Finding the bright side of the situation helps, but that doesn't mean there isn't also worry. The delay in my treatment means that if my platelets have recovered and I get the green light for Thursday I will be at my pinnacle of shittiness for Miriam's graduation. It is not somethi...

Well, any of you who know me will understand that I don't like failing tests! Today I went for my pre-chemo bloodwork and my platelet level was lower than my oncologist would have liked. This means that tomorrow's treatment is postponed until next week. I find this annoying more than anything. I don't like changes in my schedule and I also dislike the thought of my treatment taking longer than I imagined.  The silver lining (because I am good at finding those) is that I get another week of feeling AMAZING. More walks, more fun, increased enjoyment of food...I'll take it! Even though I don't have a choice. :)  Also, more time to MAKE THINGS. This week I finished my latest embroidery sampler. It helped us learn 6 different 'filler' stitches and though it took a long time I love the different textures and colours. I'm thinking my nurses would dig it! Our visit with our Peterborough friends earlier this week was great. Like balm for my soul. We walked and pl...

I think this is the longest I've gone without writing a post. This week has flown by. I did lots of walking in the beautiful spring weather and have averaged about 10 km each day. Monday was the first day that I wasn't totally exhausted after a walk, and I am determined to walk as much as I can while I'm feeling well. The numbness in my hands and feet seeems to have improved a bit (or else just seems better since I feel better?) and my taste buds have definitely recovered a little bit, though they are still not at their full tasting potential. On Tuesday I attended an online 'Look Good Feel Better' workshop about skincare during cancer treatment. It was fun, despite being online, and I feel more prepared to deal with losing my eyebrows if that ever happens. :) It was nice to see a bunch of bald heads in the Zoom call and the people who ran the workshop were kind and knowledgeable. My skin has been VERY dry, and I am very sensitive to the sun these days so I have to ...

This weekend Rick and I are up at the cottage and our kids are not! We have never been up here alone except when doing big jobs like installing kitchen cabinets, so it's kind of weird but also VERY NICE. We are so thankful to our chosen Barrie family for kidnapping our kiddos and taking them camping this weekend. It's cool this weekend - single digits at night - but beautiful and sunny. These beauties were blooming at the point and I could not resist taking a picture: I'm definitely more tired this week than I was 3 weeks ago. We just got back from a post-dinner dog walk and I can feel how tired I am even though it wasn't far or fast. My taste buds continue to be dull and I'm noticing more of a metallic taste in my mouth this week. Sensations of being hungry or full are not normal either, so the desire to eat or not eat isn't normal. No nausea though, so I'll continue to be grateful for that. Thank you to Fiona for another wonderful walk in the w...

After a crappy chemo-drenched Sunday and Monday my body and brain bounced some of the way back yesterday. This is very good, since I was sort of counting on it. :) My mom had been here for the weekend and left yesterday morning, so she was here for the worst of my exhaustion and brain fog. Her presence helped me take more (or better) naps and I am so grateful that she can be a rock for me when I need her. Sadly, not all of my 'chemo round 3 wishes' have been granted. On the 'wish not granted' list: I still have a smattering of ridiculous white hairs hanging on to my noggin. To all of the little hairs that keep hanging on: I love you, but you are FREE TO GO.  Upon careful assessment in the last day, I believe my finger numbness has gotten worse, and I am also noticing numbness in my feet that hadn't been really been obvious to me before. The numbness isn't enough to limit any of my activities, but it is a strange sensation. On my 'wish granted' list: Eyeb...