It's Been a Quiet Week ...

… in Cancerland. At first, recovery from Day 1 seemed to go more smoothly and quickly than in the first cycle. As the week wore on, the additive effects of cycles began to show themselves. I’ve felt quite shaky and fatigued for much of the week. Overlaying this was a lassitude born of the general overwhelmingness of my situation. A very burny, acidy stomach turned my disposition equally sour. With the help of my health care team I’ve addressed these “speed bumps”, as chemo nurse Connie calls such things, and feel as though I am on the upswing.

This afternoon I have the customary achy, distended belly after Day 8 chemo, though it’s not so bad now. The nurse administering my chemo today lacked Marissa’s efficiency and familiarity. I learned how much I’ve come to lean on Marissa’s calm command, and really wish I could have her every time.

Connie reminded me today that nothing about this is entirely predictable. (It’s almost as if she had read my Carpe Diem post!). She encouraged me not to make too many or too big plans, but to keep my ambitions in check because I’ll never know when I’ll have the energy and impetus to achieve what I set out to do. David and I liked her imagery. “You,” she said, “are someone who likes to have her ducks in a row. And now someone has come along and kicked your ducks.”