Chemo round 2 highs and lows

I was feeling cautiously optimistic about round 2, after round 1 was manageable. One of my best friends from PT school, Brittany, came with me to keep me company and help me switch out ice packs for my cryotherapy. She rocked it and was an awesome support person. As two working moms, I can’t remember the last time the two of us had 4+ hours to sit and chat and catch up. Too bad it was early morning over coffee and chemo instead of late morning mimosas and brunch ;) 

The infusion RN I had was exceptional, and very professional. Britt and I were reminiscing over old times, nearly 20 years of friendship, and laughing, and the nurse didn’t mind but also didn’t join in, very professional. The nurses check your name and date of birth many times for safety - my healthcare friends can relate - so there’s been notice of my birthday coming up. We chatted about what I could do to celebrate and honor my bday as it falls on a chemo week right now. Oh and I got a private room again. Maybe it’s luck, maybe it’s because they are worried I will have an adverse reaction again, or maybe because I am an Inova employee, but I will take it!

After a very smooth morning and chemo infusion, no adverse reactions, Britt drove me to my parent’s house for my recovery time. I think I got a little overconfident about how well I was handling chemo, because right at 4PM I was sick! And spiked a fever of 101. Like a good patient, I followed the rules, called the on call MD, and followed directions. I was worried. I also felt awful. I literally said “well now I feel like a cancer patient”. Luckily, I seemed to recover overnight and fingers crossed I stay well. 

There have been many moments through this journey where I have to do some mental gymnastics. I feel fine, I feel healthy, I don’t feel like I have cancer, I don't feel like I have stage 4 cancer. But yesterday was one of those moments where I felt like what I expected having cancer would feel like, getting sick from chemo. Round 2 rocked me, but I got back up.

Good news, I did much better with my blood sugar management this round after learning from experience last round. My endo would be proud. There is a very popular Type 1 podcast called The Juicebox Podcast (the one I recorded with last year, a highlight of my life). Scott the host uses a phrase “being bold with insulin”. I’ve never been more bold! These steroids are aggressive.

I will wrap soon, as I know this is getting long but I have to share this story. Another positive note, and the best one to end on. 

Last week on my off chemo week I felt well enough to drop off and pick up Brady from daycare on my own again. Before we walked into drop off, I explained to Brady that I was going to wear a mask to drop off today (not my usual before chemo). I explained that it will keep germs away because my body doesn’t need extra germs right now, it is too busy fighting cancer. Brady says to me “Mama there are two people fighting your cancer, you and me”🥹 I was so moved by my sweet, empathetic son, I cant remember the exact words that followed, but it ended with me telling Brady “yes, you are helping Mama, and you know there are a LOT of people helping Mama fight her cancer” That 5 minute exchange was one I will remember forever. It warmed my heart. And it reminded me of the support I have from all of you guys, my family, friends, friends from different groups and phases of my life, friends I have made through work who are more than just work friends, the support group online of others with appendix cancer, and of course the extensive medical team that I have built. Thank you all for everything thus far, and everything yet to come. This is a marathon, not a sprint. 

Sending you love, hugs, and quality time with your loved ones❤️