Hey, that rhymes.  It’s not intentional.  As of May 1, I will have been done with chemo for 19 days.  I will be well on my way to feeling normal again.  Well as normal as I can ever feel.  I just want an opportunity to find my new normal.  This cannot be it. This is horrible.  I hate wishing my life away, but that’s what I’m doing.  Please go by quickly, time, because I need this to be done now. 

I had chemo #2 yesterday.  I was feeling okay until around 6:30 and I just went downhill from there. It ruined my evening plans, so that sucked.  I was asleep by 9:30 and didn’t wake up until almost 9 this morning.  I feel much better today, but still shitty.  The constant nausea and fatigue are killers.  It doesn’t help that my dog got sick (yet again), so I had to give her a bath and clean her kennel.  Cleaning up dog puke while trying not to puke yourself is not a good time.  Just in case you were wondering.

Six more treatments to go.

My doc tells me that my blood counts are great.  Way higher than most people have at this point in treatment.  But I still need the Neulasta shot.  My insurance company is still being a dick about it.  They told the nurse I would have to make an $1100 payment in order to get it.  The shot costs like $6000, apparently.  I just laughed when she told me that.  So my doctor has set it up as a treatment, which means I won’t have to pay.  I will go in every Monday morning following a chemo treatment to have it administered by a nurse. Suck it, Healthlink.  I win this battle.

Other news:

I had lunch with Catherine (breast cancer mentor) and it went well.  She is very nice, and was able to provide me with some helpful info.  She gave me the contact info for her lymphedema specialist. She doesn’t have it, but has a similar risk level, and she sees her for preventative treatment.  I will be doing the same.  She is encouraging me to meet up with her at the young women’s support group and also the book club.  I may do so. It can’t hurt to try it out.

I have a personal trainer!  My friend, Naarah, is a trainer at Club Fitness and we are now working together with 2 main goals: overall body toning and training for the half-marathon in October.  We are doing one session per week during chemo, and will then move up to two per week.  I’m really excited about this.  She kicked my ass during the first session, though she was taking it easy on me, so I can only imagine what’s to come.  It will all be worth it in the end, however.  (For those of you super concerned about my weight, I’m not trying to lose weight. Just trying to tone up. Being thin and flabby = not attractive.)

I had my second fill yesterday.  Since the first one caused hardly any discomfort, she put extra fluid in yesterday.  There is a noticeable difference.  I’m excited for the next one.  Fills are the fun part of treatment.

Yesterday, the ladies at Siteman gave me free head coverings.  I got a knitted hat and a scarf.  The hat is a bit itchy, but the scarf is very comfy.  After treatment, I stopped by the wig shop and picked up two sleep caps and another scarf to wear to the gym.  So I think I’m good for now.  I do plan on getting a couple more wigs (cheaper ones) to wear for fun, and so the expensive everyday one gets a break. There were also two touch therapy dogs at Siteman yesterday, so that was fun.  A yellow lab and a super cute corgi.  Then I ran into my cousin, which was weird, but it was good to see her.

I’m re-watching Weeds on Netflix. I forgot what a great show it is. Recommending. Also, Girls is back now.  I cannot wait for Game of Thrones to come back: March 31st!!!!

Okay, I’m done now.