Makes for a Terrific Tuesday …
I am battling what I’d call low-grade nausea, but otherwise I am feeling great and looking forward to feeling even better throughout the week. The nausea is definitely a side effect of the chemo; you won’t find me complaining about having chemo, however, so I’m not going to complain about the side effects. Sure, it would be nice not to have any side effects, but the health professions have come a long way towards making it so that patients have fewer and less-severe side effects associated with chemotherapy drugs. I am sure I’d be feeling a lot worse if I were having chemo 20 years ago.
It is nice to have the anti-nausea patch in a better location, too, as I am sure that will help with my nausea. The patches are larger than the anti-pain patches, which makes it more difficult to find a spot on your body where movement doesn’t challenge the adhesive. Also, because the medication is absorbed and dispensed through fatty tissue, the upper arm is a better location than the back. (Although I held my ground at weigh-in yesterday, I still don’t have many fatty areas … never really did, and certainly do not now.)
Cathy is currently taking Laura to her follow-up appointment with the orthopedic surgeon who set her wrist in the ER last Thursday. We are hoping that the excellent job he did re-setting the wrist has held and that surgery will not be indicated. If it has held, it is likely that he will want another follow-up appointment in a week before making a final decision about surgery. He told us that he would refer her to a different surgeon if surgery were indicated, a surgeon who specializes in hand and wrist, so there is no conflict of interest regarding a decision for surgery. About 50% of the time, breaks of this sort require surgery. We are keeping our fingers crossed (Laura on one hand only …).
During my marathon medical ordeal (make that ultra-marathon ordeal) and Laura’s sprint medical ordeal, we see the importance of family over and over again. I have been trying to take care of Laura, Laura has been taking care of me, and of course Cathy definitely has been taking care of both of us. It is during these “crisis” times that the beauty of family comes through. The love that exists is so uplifting … I could not make it without it. And let us not forget Dan, who calls every day and does all he possibly can from afar. I write most often about my immediate family, but it is also the case that my extended family provides tremendous love and support as well. From siblings to parents to nephews to cousins, the unwavering support has been there from the beginning. It is so much appreciated … and needed.
The love and support from friends and colleagues also have been overwhelming and have been so incredibly important for my recovery. You remind me that I am not fighting this disease alone. I gain strength from your support. I cannot thank you enough.