Category Archives: Treatment

Gold star for Zsolt

Posted in Bumpboobs, Chemotherapy, Treatment by

Zsolt has a new talent.


Because I’m receiving my first round of chemo treatments every two weeks instead of three, I need to receive a shot every day, for seven days following the therapy (actually I start on the Monday with these shots, which means my body is still immune deficient for the first weekend).

Therefore Zsolt has learned to use a needle.

Gross. When we were married, there wasn’t a line stating: I promise to inject you on a daily basis with a prefilled syringe.  If vows were that specific we’d still be in the ceremony, with the crowd long gone.  However he’s been a very good sport.

Apart from his initial joke about “getting to stab me” (hmm), he’s handled it well. One of the district nurses stopped by and showed him how to insert and inject the needle (45 degree angle, into the side of my leg. We had planned on injecting the stomach till the nurse reviewed the instructions and realized that wasn’t necessary. Thank goodness. ). Then Zsolt geared up, pinch a bit of flesh and let the needle slide. It’s a tiny thing, so the insertion isn’t terrible though the injection is a definitely off putting, but isn’t it always?

Anyhow, he was very professional. I chalk this up to his stellar scientific training. All that work with expensive laser equipment has finally paid off through a steady hand under pressure.

Gold star for Zsolt. Keep up the good work, hon!

(and double points for him, because Zsolt has slowly been eliminating the plastic from our lives. First he replaced the plastic water filer with a glass Brita jug, and now he’s gone and obtained a glass kettle. We’re almost like the Jetsons in this house with our cool gadgets. )

Tomorrow is boob day. We’ll be going to the hospital so I can pick up a spare breast. Maybe they’re offered in sherbet colours, though I doubt that. Actually, I don’t like sherbet. Gelato is wayyy better.

Wake up!

Posted in Bumpboobs, Chemotherapy, Treatment by

Funny what writing can bring. I was just typing out a letter to a friend back in Canada who has been thought a similar situation, thanking her for giving me some tips on coping with chemotherapy (Thanks again!), when I looked at a photograph she sent me, and thought – Yeah, I want that.

It’ s a picture of some loons on her lake. This is a lake right by her home, I think she can even see it from her kitchen window. And when I think of that picture, and I think of how she’s moved past her illness and whatever setbacks ensued to find a ‘good place’ like that – and I don’t mean ‘location, location, location’ but the ability to really appreciate her circumstances. . . well, I’m left inspired.

INSPIRED.

And this is the thing I decided while writing my facebook reply. After this chemo bullshit is all over and done with (and hopefully even before) I am not going to let anything stop my from loving life. I mean – I’m going to love every moment I can – from the clothing I put on in the morning (I’m thinking something with bold colours and flowing material, particularly while it’s warm) to the food placed in my mouth (chocolate croissants for breakfast) to singing aloud in the shower without worry for the neighbours, to going out often and meeting with friends, to making sweet wonderful love to my husband, to actually pursing my talents instead of creating a list of excuses.

Cancer is in my life for some reason, so it better be a damn good one. Maybe there’s a moment when you find purpose for what happens, or maybe that never comes . . . maybe we need to create our purpose instead. I don’t know. I have avoided philosophy ever since dating a fellow who never stopped philosophizing.  BUT some stuff demands consideration.  So this is part of my purpose: to not forget how good life is. Things are good. Even when they’re bad, somewhere there’s a piece of good. For me, at this moment, it’s the support that I’ve been receiving. Thanks everyone, everyone, everyone and everyone. It is a huge help.

Okay, I’m going to take a shower and fix my hair; a hurricane passed through it and I never bothered cleaning up. And if it falls out from the shampoo, well, it falls out. But at least it’ll look good now.

Getting better

Posted in Bumpboobs, Chemotherapy, Treatment by

Hello again, Hello.

Over this past weekend I haven’t touched my computer – I couldn’t  stand the thought of it. But now it’s Monday and one of my goals is to post a message on this blog. It’s gotten me up and out of bed, and sitting at the kitchen table. So  – that’s great. It’s the furthest I’ve been so far. Yay for progress 🙂


About two seconds after posting my last blog the nausea kicked in, and kicked in, and kicked in some more. It continued to kick me through the weekend. Zsolt says I had the acute response – apparently there are two general responses to chemotherapy: acute and delayed. Well, it was acute. Unfortunately the anti sickness drug they’d prescribed didn’t quite work, but fortunately the steroid did, though I had to wait a day before taking the steroid because it required a stomach with some food inside. That wasn’t quite possible till Saturday afternoon.

But that is in the past. Here I am, getting over the worse (hopefully) and waiting for the nurse to drop by and show us how to administer the white blood cell shot. I need to take one shot a day for seven days. Zsolt will be administering the needle – weird!  I’ve heard there are side effect to this as well, but have the Paracetamol  ready just in case.

So, apart for this world of side effects I’m managing okay. Today has been good so far, and has certainly put me in a better mood. Mom and Zsolt keep on with the mantra, “We’re learning.” And we are.

Next time will be better – next time I’ll get a better anti-sickness drug, I’ll take the drug sooner, and the effects will be less. Why? Because we’re learning.

I feel bad for my poor family, there were times when my mom and husband would  be looking over the bed with concern in their faces, or off in the other room whispering about side effects and ways to help me through. However, today everyone seems in a better mood. We’re listening to my wedding CD and nodding along to the music.

I think that I’ll write a list of things that have helped me through the nausea – because if anyone ever does read this and wants to get prepared, this stuff could be good to have on hand.

Happy music: some of the drugs cause melancholy, so it’s pretty important to have a happier distraction in the background.

Homeopathic remedies: because sometimes I couldn’t even manage a mouthful of water, so taking some anti-sickness homeopathic remedies has been a good alternative.

Anti sickness bracelet: This triggers an acupuncture point on the wrist to help reduce nausea. It helps, but if you’re getting up be sure to go slowly and rub the balls into your arm.

Damp, cold face towel: It’s a total miracle if becoming sick, and even helped me stop the nausea from peaking a few times.

Fan: Whether electric, hand held, or a good strong breeze through the window – the movement of non-scented air is wonderful. . .  air with the smell of pizza, soup, or warm food of any kind is a very, very bad idea. My bedroom door has been shut with the cracks sealed while my mom cooked dinner for her and Zsolt, and even then I could smell the bloody food. There’s a new rule in this flat, NO hot food allowed.

Protein powder, rehydrating powder, probiotic power: mixed in very small doses with a reasonable amount of water – helps with nutrients, hydration and bowels. When you can’t eat anything, these come in handy.

Good company: Essential! Even if I could not carry on a conversation, having loved ones nearby during the difficult times is something for which I am SO grateful. My mom goes away at the end of this week, which will be difficult, probably very difficult – but I’m thankful for each day she’s been here, and I know that whenever I need her or my Dad, they’re always on the other end of that Skype camera. And Zsolt will be here too, rubbing my back and kissing my forehead, googling every question, side effect, and noteworthy bit of information that will help make this easier.

Okay, I guess that’s it for now. I don’t want to plough into details, and I don’t want to freak anyone out. I think the acute has passed, and I’m very, very grateful. My mind has finally turned to food, and a few more grapes seems quite appetizing at the moment. Hmm, and maybe even a cracker or two…