One year ago today, I was released from the hospital after 2 months as an inpatient, having gone into remission following my second round of induction chemotherapy. Tonight, as I prepare to go to sleep, many things run through my mind. I'm grateful to be in my own bed, with the window open...fresh air flowing... Continue Reading →
Days 29-38: The Kitchen Sink
When I was in high school, there was an ice cream parlor/ restaurant in Union, NJ named Jahn's. A bunch of my friends and I would go there to hang out often after church activities. I can't begin to tell you how many stories I have of our times at Jahn's. And probably as many... Continue Reading →
Day 11: Hibernation
With the aid of a Percocet taken around 9pm last night, I managed to get about 10 hours of sleep, pain-free. Woke up this morning with the same pain I went to sleep with - excruciating stomach pain. I'm not one to take drugs, I generally just push through unless it gets particularly unbearable. But... Continue Reading →
Day 10: Cookies, Milestones, and Mood Swings
I ended last night waiting for the cat scan of the lungs. They finally took me down at about 12:30 am. Arrgh.... Thankfully, the results showed that there were no blood clots in my lungs. A very good thing. My nurse and I noticed a trend (the benefit of having the same nurse most of... Continue Reading →
Day 9: A Day in the Life . . .
"The Routine" Today started out pretty well. Had my energy back, despite only getting about two hours of sleep overnight. Being a huge creature of habit, my typical daily routine seems to have evened out to: 4:00 am - vital signs (generally don't go back to sleep, just doze a bit) 7:00 am - try... Continue Reading →
Day 8: Feeling great!
Woke up in a much better frame of mind today. Suffering from the effects of the chemo a little more, however. I've been tired, and have lost my sense of taste and appetite. I ordered yogurt for breakfast, and I could have sworn it tasted like drywall spackle. Not that I've eaten drywall spackle, mind... Continue Reading →
Day 7: ‘Twas Bound to Happen
I woke up decidedly melancholy this morning. I underestimated just how upsetting cutting all of my hair off would be to me. Like Sampson in Biblical times, whose strength was in his hair, I felt that all my femininity was in my long, red tresses. To say that I shed a few tears would be... Continue Reading →
Day 6, Part 2: Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
Exercise... YES! Never underestimate the power of positive endorphins. When I was moved to a new (BIGGER!) room yesterday with an exercise bike I had requested, it was a huge boost to my mental health. I was going pretty stir crazy in my previous room, not a lot of room to walk around in, so... Continue Reading →
Day 6, Part 1: Really??? Day 6, already??
Hard to believe I am on day 6 after my diagnosis, and day 3 of chemo. Time flies when you're, well, having fun. Oddly enough, I've overall not had a bad few days, all things considered. I laugh a lot here - joke around with my nurses, and I secretly think my doctors like... Continue Reading →
The Road Less Traveled 