Put a Check Mark Next to Cycle 8

My new blog goal is two blogs a month...  trying to get my first blog in early for May.

Recap of Cycle 7 Recovery:

GIVE IT TO YOUR WIFE

So after all the excitement with the OBI craziness I was really hoping that my recovery from chemo this cycle was consistent with the recent cycles - I just couldn't take more stress right now!!  Thankfully I can report that I actually felt like my recovery was at least the same or even a little bit easier.  Week one was pretty similar to previous cycles - a few days of feeling the side effects of the steroids followed by a few days of feeling like I was hit by a truck.  But during week 2 and 3 I tried to step it up and be more active or at least as active as I can be without really tiring myself out.  I did more of the laundry and helped out around the house  which Nathan is probably really happy about that because he is tired of hearing my complain about him messing up my delicate clothes.

Some of the fun things I've been up to since my last blog:

• I was able to rally that first weekend after chemo and Nathan and I went to a family cookout on Saturday and spend a few hours with my family celebrating my sisters birthday on Sunday.  I wasn't able to do too much but at least I made it out of the house!!  I really appreciate all the support I have from my family and how they accept me for me (hair or no hair - they don't care).
• During week two I went out to eat with the ladies from our work book club and had a really nice evening.  We meet every other month to have a nice dinner and discussion about the book that has been selected.  I am grateful for such a supportive group of women!!
• Week three was full of some therapeutic shopping - Nathan can always tell when I am feeling good because the credit card bill is higher!!  We also went to brunch at The Crest with my dad and step mother to celebrate her recent birthday and then we all four went to one of my favorite places - Columbus Architectural Salvage, a place that has tons of cool antiques that have been saved from local buildings and homes and are for sale.  I've got my eye on a few of the old claw foot bathtubs they have for the first floor bathroom remodel that will be happening this year.
• Nathan has recently started traveling back to DC for work for 3 days during my week 3 of

  

  Thanks Olga for the shawl!!

  recovery.  While I don't like to see him go, I understand that it is important for him to be on site so that he can attend important meetings and get what he calls "face time" (and not the kind you do with an IPhone) with his colleagues.  When he returned from his last trip he had a surprise for me - one of his coolest colleagues, Olga, had taken a trip to India and had brought me back a shawl.  Nathan and I will never be able to express how grateful we are for all the amazing support we receive from people all over the US!!
• On chemo eve I had a nice relaxing facial with Megan Dixon at Spa Grove in Gahanna.  She is owner and managing esthetician and is the only professional in the area that offers a special facial for oncology patients!!  I have seen her now about 3 times and every session I leave feeling really relaxed.  It's a nice treat the night before chemo, when I can sometimes feel my anxiety growing.

Cycle 8 Chemo Day:

My chemo infusions went well today.  I was really nervous that I would have a reaction to the Carboplatin but luckily did not.  The chances of me having a reaction increase with each infusion after the 6th one so I am really hoping that I am one of the lucky ones that don't have a reaction.  If I do though, most likely it will happen during the infusion and I know the signs to look for so that I can let the nurse know ASAP.  Keeping my fingers crossed!!