Saba Beats Cancer

So - I have been pretty good at filling a day.  My daily routine takes time. I am blessed that I can do work online for about 4 hours a day. But that still leaves time. My brilliant cousin asked if I painted - said no but would love to learn. They really need to do those painting classes here. So he sent a very complex paint by numbers for me to do.  It is the hit of the floor - every nurse, assistant, doctor - everyone who comes in the room is massively impressed with the detail and how cool it is to have adult paint by number. Of course it is a beach house scene.  I feel like I am making progress but a lot to do. I am not patient but trying hard to get it done to look good.  And - what feels really great - is I may not have enough time to finish on my chemo. But it is the perfect diversion - play some tunes and get lost in the painting.  Just what I need to not think about sitting in the hospital 3 more nights. Feeling good though.  They forgot my ...

So that's what the doctor said when I asked about maybe cutting short that last methotrexate. The answer - they thought I would have had to delay by now with this much chemo. That what I am doing must be working because I am staying on track.  But no go on the shorting the MTX - gotta make damn sure the brain is safe and that is the toughest cancer to cure. So we need to get it out of there. But feeling pretty damn good that my daily routine is working.  I don't want to delay - I want this done in 27 days. I am checked in - have a pretty nice room layout - and ready to start chemo #5.  Once again chatted with others who are having a far worse time then me - so I will keep on rolling. This is the first time we went down and checked right in. Didn't get our dinner out before the check in - crazy.  So we have this one and two more chemos to go.  Yay!  Feeling good that we can get through it in style.

Another late breaking side effect was revealed during last appointment with our LPN - we were discussing the side effects and she asked if I had noticed my thigh muscles getting weak. Apparently that is another fun thing from the steroids in our chemo - it starts to weaken those muscles.  So we are adding some squats, step ups, lunges and leg raises to the daily mix to try and counter act that new fun one. I did notice on the walk today that those muscles are weaker.  Doing the tennis ball squeeze has definitely helped with grip strength. That was really getting weak as well.  Last day before chemo #5 - going in tomorrow afternoon for a late appointment with the doctor. That means a late admission and late chemo.  Luckily I am getting good at sleeping through that.  Mouth sores are gone finally - which is good. It definitely comes from the methotrexate chemo round (brain chemo) and I only have one of those left in theory.  Anxiety creeps in my bra...

As expected - the MTX was in the right level and I got out of the hospital today and heading home.  Looked in the mirror and noticed my eyebrows are almost completely gone.  Oh well - knew it was going to happen. A lot of the body hair is falling off as well.  Such is the chemo life. Feeling a little a tired as expected as well. But just so good to be home.  I have now spent 40 days and nights in the hospital.  And only have 16 days left in theory.  Two 6 day R-EPOCH and one last MTX. My numbers bounced back up on everything except white blood cells - so was glad to get out and get a shot of zarxio today and get those boosted. Schedule for the next week is blood test on Friday and go back in for R-EPOCH on Tue-Sun of next week. So a nice break. Well needed and deserved. Need to rest up.