Week 10

Well, I'm a little behind in my blogging. Actually, I haven't had much to say. Since I stopped working, my life has been sleeping and watching TV. Not very exciting. A few bad days here and there, with nausea (but no vomiting). Mostly, just fatigue and very low energy. Also, I have been isolating a bit, not wanting to talk much just generally not wanting to be the person with cancer, going through chemo. I'm sure some of you know what I'm talking about.

I've been getting acupuncture on a weekly basis, which has helped a little with the fatigue, but mostly with the accompanying "fogginess." Weekly massage therapy is really helping with all of the aches and pains from all of the sleeping.

I'm almost done with the AC, only 2 more treatments to go. That also means I go back to work soon. As I recall, I had 2 goals, well 3 really while I was off work: clean out the garage, unpack the 2nd bedroom and catch up on some work that I owe my boss so that I go back to work without owing any hours. So far I've done is the garage. I've done a little bit of work, but I don't know that I will get it all made up before September 15 (return to work day) and I haven't touched the 2nd bedroom, but it's on my list for today.

What really prompted me to work on the garage was that I got a dog this past week. I found her at the humane society and she is very sweet. Her name is Zusa and she's an 8 year old golden retriever mix.



That's it for now. I hope you all are hanging in there.

Today's craziness

I managed to transplant a couple sunflowers and harvest some raspberries and peas this afternoon.



In addition, the plumbers are here to fix my broken sewer line.





This will be a very loud afternoon for sure. I hope they get it fixed today!

A major decision

After staying home 4 our of 5 days this past week with vomiting, diarrhea and low level nausea, I have made the decision to go on medical disability leave for 8 weeks until I'm done with the AC.

I've completed 5 treatments now, with 7 more to go and the side-effects are only going to get worse. My boss is very accommodating and understanding and she was in complete agreement. Plus, she doesn't have to pay me. LOL. Seriously though, I just started this job in March and I've used almost every hour of leave I have. In order to keep my medical and other benefits, I have to either work 8 hours or use 8 hours of leave time in a month. This will only affect August and I will have enough leave that I earned in July.

As far as money, I am incredibly grateful that I got the Aflac cancer policy last year. Not only has it helped by paying me for various treatments I've received, I also signed up for short-term disability. The only unfortunate thing is that I did not change my income level with Aflac when I changed jobs, so the amount I get is a little low. But, between that and the payments I receive for going through chemo and other things, I will get enough to cover what my paychecks would be.

In other news, my friend came over last night and shaved me head completely bald! No pictures yet though.

Oh, and in other OTHER news, there is a break in the sewer line leading from my house to the street so I am without a bathroom until they get the damn thing fixed! Argh!!

Baby Ben!

Benjamin was born via c-section 7/15/08 at 11:03 pm. He weighs in at 10 pounds, 8 ounces! Mom and baby are both healthy and happy and very tired.

well that sucked

Spending the morning puking up breakfast is no fun. My body was not happy with the juice I made and yesterday I suffered for it. I was feeling pretty miserable even after I was done throwing up, but I had a doctor's appointment in Olympia and was determined to keep it. I actually felt worse in terms of nausea at the end of the day and never felt like my stomach completely emptied out. This morning, I'm better and just trying to take it easy. I wasn't sure earlier when my alarm went off at 5:00 that I was going to make it to work. But, I've called my boss and said I'd be in by noon.

I put on a scarf to go to my appointment. It just feels so funny.. I can't tell if it's going to fall off or what. I took it off at the end of my appointment to show my doctor how I looked with a shaved head. She recommended leaving it off and I agreed. At least for the rest of the day. I don't know that I will go to work without something on my head. The buff I wore on Saturday worked pretty well.. maybe one of those. Plus, the thought of being on the bus and putting my bare head against the seat is super disgusting. And I know it will happen because I always sleep on the bus.

Today I'm driving for 2 reasons.. the bus stops running at 9:30 and my sister is due to go into labor any second now. She spent the night in the hospital and they've started inducing her. I need to be able to leave when she's closer to giving birth.

Yesterday morning before I drank the juice and all the puking started, I heard Mea rearranging the runner in the hallway. She was very, very proud of her handiwork:

A long day

Yesterday was great. A lot of fun and a fabulous way to spend a hot day. First, Libbey, Jess and I headed to the Olympia Farmer's Market because my parents (my dad and step-mom; Libbey's dad and mom) were playing at the market. Also, I wanted to do buy some yummy organic veggies and fruits. We got there around 1:00. I went off to do my shopping and what was so cool was that at almost every place I stopped, the person selling told me how much they loved my t-shirt. Now, this is the day after I got my head shaved, and my first "bald adventure." I wasn't nervous, but I was brimming with attitude! Anyway, it was very cool to have all these people tell me they liked my t-shirt. One person asked where I was getting treated, which was fine. I was in a good mood when I went back to the tables and sat down in the shade. I was sitting there and people just kept coming up to me, telling me how much they liked my shirt and to keep up the good attitude. One woman even gave me a hug! Another woman wrote down the website so she can buy a shirt for her friend. I'm not used to being the person standing out in the crowd, and I don't usually like it. But yesterday, it was ok and I had a good time.



After my parents were done, we headed to their place in Shelton so we could go out on the boat. What a great day it was for being on the water! Of course, I had to stay in the shade and didn't do more than wade on the beach, but it was really lovely.









We didn't get home until 9:00 or so and I was just exhausted. I've been in bed all day pretty much and am just getting up to take some pills and catch up online. It was worth it though!

Feeling good today!