Phew! Treatments over

A celebratory page to document how we feel.  Phew! It’s over!  Time to let our bodies rest and get strong once again.  

I chose purple and gold and then it dawned on me that they are the colours of our alma mater.  We did long distance education to get our under graduate degrees.  I only went because my husband was doing it.  I had a big case of FOMO (fear of missing out!!)  I’m glad I did! My employer paid half of my tuition upon proof of successful completion of each credit.  So it was a good deal for me.  My husband finished earlier than I but he waited for me so that we could attend convocation together.  Wilfrid Laurier University is located in Waterloo Ontario and 2.5 hours south west of where we live.  I was so tickled that day!  Our daughter was there to see us receive our degrees.  

My husband saw his doctor today and his numbers are excellent and he will not need more treatments.  He will be followed up sometime in the future.  

Another blood test another transfusion

This is what happened on Friday.  Another blood test, another transfusion., only one unit of blood this time.  At least I’m done with being poked until the next blood test on the 29,  just before I get my CT scan.   Thankfully that is another 8 days away!  We made it home for 2 nights and that was good! It is always good to be home. We are back in the big city now for my husband’s last 2 treatments.  He is so glad that his treatments are coming to an end too! 

The nurse had some difficulty finding a suitable vein so she ended up using my right hand.  I had to write and draw this with my left.  I am not a lefty whatsoever.  I painted the page later because I just knew I would do a lousy job. 

I was so happy that I wore a pair of pull on’s so I could use the bathroom without assistance.   My husband joined me after he had his treatment.  He bought me lunch even though I wasn’t terribly hungry. 

Spring time in the big city

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny spring day in the big city and I didn’t want to miss it.  My husband had a late appointment for his radiation treatment so I walked down to St Clair St W with him.  I had made a plan to visit a shop and saw this little restaurant on the way from the bus stop.  On my way back I stopped in to purchase a treat for myself. A yummy handmade popsicle.  I sat outside on this tiny table and chair set and watched people walk by.  It was wonderful, that simple act made me so happy!  I love popsicles!  I’ve had lots of “freezies” to counteract the hot mouth brought on by chemotherapy but sitting out in the warm spring weather was so invigorating!  I felt so “normal”! 

Next time I’m by, I’ll have to check out their menu but normally I’ve already had lunch before I leave the house so I’ll probably just get another popsicle. 

I drew this page this morning from the photo I took.

Oh yes, I was the only person on the bus wearing a mask. Have I mentioned that I hate the bus! I much prefer the streetcar.  There is some work being done and the streetcars won’t be back until fall (or maybe later-you know how that goes)! 

Round 4 Day 2

I can’t believe it, I was patient number 88 and it was only 10 am! This is day 2 of my  my last 3 days of chemotherapy ( I hope!)  On the first day, the nurse put the IV in my right hand so my drawing is horrible and I’ve decided to turn the page on it.!  Regardless, I had the vein whisper that day and he did a fabulous job of getting the IV started.  I truly believe that my Guardian Angel helped with this, I think she supplied some magical essence to support me.  She is an art card that was created and sent to me by my friend Birgit.  She has been living in my sketchbook that I’ve had with me all along! I’ve drawn her each of these 3 “final” days. 

I think I finally learned a secret to veins too and that is hydration.  Yup! So simple, but I wasn’t drinking enough water before my infusion.  Happy that I had some fine nurses who cared for me during this difficult time!  I’m glad they used the veins in my hand and left my arms alone! 

My husband continues on his own journey through radiation treatments.  He has just over one week to go.  Then, I will also be having a blood test, X-ray and follow up with my chemo doctor next Friday.  

I’ve packed up the car in preparation for the drive home while my husband was at radiation.  I look forward to being able to spend more time at home before the next phase. 

Week 4 -Almost done

Week 4 almost done!  The out-patient workers had Good Friday off at Princess Margaret Hospital so technically it will be Monday’s radiation treatment that will complete the week. 

Sadly, I have had yet another setback and my chemotherapy that was scheduled for Monday has been postponed.  I expect the new date will be determined by my next blood test on Wednesday.  This past Wednesday, the blood test revealed that the reason I have been sleeping so much is due to the fact that my hemoglobin and red blood cells etc are all low.  So, I was immediately sent to get a transfusion and given 2 units (or 2 bags) of blood. 

This is in my small sketchbook that I made so it would fit my small purse.  I’m a chicken so I only looked quickly and had to look away. I only glanced once as the nurse hung the bags.   However, more importantly I found out that I will be able to give blood a year after I’m am cancer free. Good to know!!! 

So yes, I am disappointed but what can I do about it, nothing but enjoy the respite from the dreadful chemo, for a short time anyway.  Regardless, I’ll be back on the hamster wheel on Monday.

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter if you celebrate and if not enjoy your time off with family and friends. 

Week 3 done

Week 3 done! Tomorrow it starts all over again but it will be a short week with Friday being a holiday. 

I can’t believe how tired I’ve become.  I’m not a napper or a very good sleeper especially so after my diagnosis.  I had trained myself after retirement to do better at sleeping but that went out the window after my knee replacement surgery.  Now I pretty much sleep away the day. 

I don’t get a chance to really observe the room because I’m hustled over to the bed right away.  Then they have to match up my tattoos to ensure I’m in position.  The technicians are strong men and women. They do the movement, I just lay there as the move me.  Then they move the bed a teensy bit too.  Then they get the machine to scan me to ensure that I’m in fact going to get the treatment in the right places!  I find that very comforting. It’s a balance between human and machine to ensure delivery of the radiation therapy is going to the right places.  What a noise though; the whirling, banging, shuddering and sizzling! 

Every day I check, my skin still looks normal! Grateful for that! ( my mother had breast cancer 50 years ago and her chest was extremely well tanned.  Radiation treatment has advanced greatly since then).  Crossing my fingers and toes, only 2 more weeks or rather, 10 more radiation treatments. 

Treatment Room #5

Week 2 done.  Tomorrow we start Nbr 3 with three weeks of treatments to go for a total of 25 treatments.  Hopefully I don’t have to have more. 

I wait every day outside of treatment room #5.  When the Beam OFF lights up, I know it will soon be my turn. 

The technicians are slowing down on talking to me every second since I know what to expect now.  20 minutes and a quick change and I’m out of there. 

I like this quote so just decide to add it to my heart of hope!