Thursday, November 11, 2010

A day in the life

Today's post is a photo narrative of a chemotherapy day, such as yesterday.  Please click here to see all of the pictures and captions.  Below are two highlights.

As promised, the port.  In the album, there are "action" shots of the port as it was used yesterday.  

Yea, I have a problem with setting the date on my camera.  Below I am receiving chemotherapy in a private room.  Yesterday I knitted a scarf for Azalea (Holly, I'll work on your blanket next time).  More pics and details of the whole process can be viewed here.  

And look below for how my white blood cells have rebounded from the first round of yucky chemotherapy (2 weeks ago yesterday)!  Thank you, Neulasta!
In other news, I am feeling good.  I have two new side effects of chemotherapy that are, shall we say, opportunistic infections, so now I have two new prescriptions for those.  My aunt bought me a pill box, which is really wonderful, but it's slightly horrifying that I need a pill box.  The previous side effects of brain and digestive tract fog have subsided. I still have a bit of fatigue, but is so mild that it is impossible to distinguish cancer fatigue from living-with-two-small-children fatigue and time-change fatigue.  Today, for example, the fatigue really only hit me after I gave my 3-year-old a piggy-back ride for six blocks.  But it is awfully convenient to blame the chemo.  

12 comments:

  1. Right beside you with every fighting step you take. Warm and tight HUGS to my beautiful and courageous cancer warrior!!! I love you, Aunt Jac

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  2. Heather, you looks so lovely and brave. Thanks for sharing the photos. Can't wait to see the Iowa Allens in a couple of weeks.

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  3. Your smile is priceless. Your courage endless.
    Keep on keepin' on.

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  4. Thank you for sharing, you look wonderful. Hooray for Genentech (maker of Herceptin but also the money behind the building i worked as a grad student).

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  5. Heather you are an inspiration, not only to others fighting this but to all.

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  6. Are you telling me that you knitted a scarf in one chemotherapy sitting? Most productive chemo session ever!

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  7. Yay for graphs! Yay for white blood cells! And most importantly, yay for the positive attitude and the reduced side effects and the ability to appreciate a blueberry scone, even while in the middle of chemo. You're my hero, heather. XXXX

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  8. I'm grateful for a glimpse at your day-to-day. I'm frustrated I can't be up there to see your awesome self in person, but this helps me feel a bit closer. And I think i finally understand this "port" business. Also, as others have noted, you look positively radiant. Amazing!

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  9. I love the picture narrative. Video next???

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  10. You still have a smile on your face :-) The graphs are cool, but no error bars? (nerd high-five) ;p sending love from Oz xox

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  11. Heather - you are amazing! And your short hair - FAB. :) Keep smiling! And hang in there!

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  12. I like the short hair, cute!!!!

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