Monday was my one week check up from chemo to see how I'm doing and make sure I'm alright. I had to drive all the way back to Dallas for the DR to draw blood and check me over (and another $70 visit!). The good news is that my blood counts look very good and the chemo hasn't knocked them down very much, so my body is still in there fighting. The bad news is that my nausea and gastric problems are all par for the course, and may only get worse from here. They called me in some different types of meds this time to see if that works better. The doctor seemed very pleased with my progress so far, and said that I didn't have to return next Monday for another check up - I just have to get some more blood work done here in Tyler. So I won't return to their office until my next chemo visit on the 20th. Whoo.
Monday also marked 17 years since I was diagnosed with leukemia. I was able to walk down the hall to my pediatric oncologist's office and say hello to the team that once took care of me. I won't say it was surreal seeing them on the day I was coming for another cancer check-up, but it was definitely some kind of weird. It's hard to believe they met me 17 years ago when I was just a little girl. They got to see me grow up over the years! I love these men very much and, without sounding to dramatic, I owe my life to them. I'm grateful that they referred me to such great specialists when I needed help again.
And April 6th was also my 7 year wedding anniversary to my wonderful husband. We weren't sure how to celebrate - since we had my DR appt and I was too sick to eat anywhere. We wondered around one of the Dallas malls and decided to eat at a local restaurant (which I paid dearly for later). But I'm still so happy to have Jeremy by my side through all these years and going into this whole ordeal. I'm glad he doesn't tell me to be sane, or be cheerful or even be upbeat. He just lets me feel how I want and is there for comfort when I want it. I love him so much.
Then, Tuesday came. As I said before, my husband and I decided to go out to eat for our anniversary, even though it seemed risky. I ordered a plain dish, and brought most of it home in a to-go box, so I hadn't thought I had over-done it. But I was wrong. I was woken up out of a dead sleep around 4am with severe nausea and cramping and spent the next several hours in and out of the bathroom. I had to call into work, again, which made me feel worse. I spent another day laying around the house, eating crackers and sipping juice or water and feeling totally useless. The highlight of my day was when Jeremy cooked me a small steak for dinner, which I was able to slowly eat and so far have had no incidents....
I've come to realize that sleep helps subdue the urges and cramps, so I'm hoping tonight I can sleep all the way through until the alarm goes off - without any interruptions.
On a totally random note - the swelling has finally gone down from my port surgery and I can now see and feel the port sitting under my skin. It's so weird! Like a tiny alien trying to escape or something!
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