Episode 21: Mid-Cycle 4

In my last episode, I believe I had mentioned that Cycle 4 would be a different chemo-drug and that hopefully it would be easier to manage. Well, dash my hopes to bits. It was almost like Cycle 1 all over again. Blech, blech, blech, blech, blech. It's been almost two weeks and I'm still not quite perked up yet. Down can be really down and I have been warned that it only gets more exhausting until it's over. Oh, well, only two to go.

I'd like to address this episode especially to people who might be reading this, experiencing or contemplating chemo, and wondering if they can do it. PLEASE, follow the advice of your health-care team! Everyone is different and has different reactions. Cancers are different. Treatments are different. And, there are so many variables unique to each person that every situation is different. We are blessed here in Canada to have amazing services and care that I don't want anyone to think, "Oh, I can't do this. I have to stop." Don't stop. Don't give up. The nurses are great. They come to the house almost everyday. They talk me through the tough times on the telephone night or day. And they know how to say just the right things to lift my spirits. The other day one of my nurses was here and she told me that she has worked with patients who don't react much to chemo at all and have few side effects. That's not good. The fact that I'm going through all the tough stuff means that the chemo is working and that I'm receiving exactly the right treatment so "stay the course"! This is do-able!

Doctor: I have two pieces of bad news for you.
Patient: What's the first?
Doctor: You have cancer.
Patient: What's the second?
Doctor: You have Alzheimer's.
Patient: Thank goodness, I don't have cancer.