Saturday, June 11, 2016

Mountain Climbing: The Last Chemo Session!

Today, I completed my last chemo therapy session!  What a blessing!  I am so happy and thankful that I was able to get through the chemo sessions, one step at a time.  Thank you for being there for me while I underwent that part of my treatment.  For all your prayers and positive thoughts.  You helped me over the rough spots and encouraged me to keep going.

My blood test results came back with good results.  My white blood cell count was normal and I didn't need an immune booster shot.  My blood pressure was good, too, and I had lost another 1 lb.  My blood sugar level was elevated, however, and my protein count was low.  So, I need to eat less carbs and more protein.  I will have another blood test next week and go in for hydration next Friday.

I have an appointment for a consultation with the radiology oncologist for later this month.  An earlier appointment was available, but my daughter wants to be here for the consultation, so I had to make it for a day when she can take time off from her job to come down for it.  In the meantime, it will give me a little extra time to recover from the chemo therapy and get a bit stronger for the radiation treatment.  I've been warned of fatigue, some pain, skin discoloration and peeling, maybe cracking.  Hopefully, it will not be too bad.

Daughter picked up some Chinese food for our lunch and a hamburger for me from the nearby fast food places.  I ate a little of the Chinese food for lunch and had the hamburger for my dinner.  Daughter went to my friend's younger daughter's graduation from UCLA and dinner out with the family.  My daughter has been friends with my friend's daughters since they were 4 and 3 years old! 

I spent the afternoon and part of the early evening finishing up this week's work assignments.  Sent everything in and updated my supervisor.

The neighbors in the house behind mine are having a party with live music out in their back yard.  It is rather loud!  I must admit that their taste in music is not the same as mine, but, at least it is a happy noise!

Decluttering was rather slow going, today.  I went through my dresser drawers a couple of times before I managed to pull out 6 pairs of socks!  I have other items that ought to be tossed, they are shabby, faded, and worn, but I stuffed them back again!  I'll work on getting rid of them another day.

June 10 Decluttering
Today's 10 items:

1 Seiko clock gifted to my mother; some not-so-good memories associated with the giver; battery operated but keep forgetting to renew batteries (will donate)
6 pairs of socks, including 2 disposable ones given at the hospital when I went for my surgeries (will toss)
1 magazine/annual report (will recycle)
1 wrist watch (Geneva Elite; non-working; probably needs a new battery; will donate)
1 pair compression cuffs used on my calves during surgery to keep the blood circulating; they were put into the bag of patient's belongings, sent home, and sat in the closet all these months (will toss)

100 items decluttered.

Today, I am grateful for:

- The end of chemo!
- The thoughts, prayers, care, and support of everyone during this time.
- I have an appointment for the consultation for radiation.
- This week's work assignment was completed on time.
- The happy music of celebrating neighbors, even if it is almost midnight and it is LOUD!

Today, I spent money! 
$13.30 for Chinese food take out
$1.09 for a hamburger
$8.00 for parking
$15 for medical co-pay
$100 for graduation gift

How was your Friday?  What have you planned for the weekend?

14 comments:

  1. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! For the last chemo session, the 100th decluttered item, your friend's daughter's graduation... what a day to celebrate! Maybe you should have crashed the neighbors' party?!

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    1. Thank you, Nathalie! LOL, maybe I should have crashed the party and celebrated with them! The live music stopped at 1:30 a.m. :)

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  2. Today is a day for you to celebrate, not spend time decluttering! So glad to hear that the last dose went well with good blood test results, too.
    It has been raining since the early hours of the morning, I wish I could send you some, too! I'm doing laundry and using the dryer as the hydro is on low peak rate at the weekend. This afternoon I shall be doing a little shopping.
    Bushlady

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    1. I am celebrating in my heart! The decluttering is a celebration, too - of letting go of old things, making room for new things, lightening up my load.

      Enjoy your rain. It'll help your garden grow. Some rain down here will be very welcome, but we don't have any in our forecast.

      Sounds like you have planned a lovely day. What kind of shopping? Groceries? Household stuff? Clothes?

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    2. Mainly groceries and a gift and treats for DH for Father's Day. I took a look at some plants but wasn't in the mood to buy any, it is cold and gloomy and I was surprised to read in your later blog that it was cold where you are, too!
      Bushlady

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    3. It was 64F when daughter and I went out earlier in the afternoon.

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  3. Congrats!!! I am so happy for you! I wish you only the best.

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  4. Bless, I am so very happy that you finished the chemo.. You got to the top of the mountain, and I know it had been very hard for you [even though you don't complain..] That part is over and now.. we will start praying for the radiation treatments.. Proud daughter will be able to come and be with you for the consultation.
    Will you be able to go to the store or anywhere, since you are though with chemo? Or do you have to wait until after radiation? Know you have missed being able to go in stores,etc.
    Your decluttering is really encouraging me..thank you..
    Praying for you.

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    1. Thank you, Judy. Yes, I am finally able to go to the stores, etc.! I am so happy! I will wait until the end of this week and my next blood test results to see how my white blood cell count was from the last chemo session, but I've been told that I should be fine to go places, now. I am looking forward to it!

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    2. Yea.... I am so happy for you.. I am not a big shopper, but I sure like to look ..And I like to grocery shop, I like to look at the different prices and the different brands.ha As Hubby tells me all the time, "you have to touch and feel everything you buy, that is why it takes you so long.".. and I have to admit, he is right.ha
      Hugs BLess.

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    3. That is funny - "touch and feel everything you buy"! I tend to do that, too!

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  5. Congratulations on completing the course of Chemo. Wow, releasing 100 items is also a milestone. Radiation can be exasperating if young technicians are giggly, more interested in gossip than duties. I suggest reading up on skin care and appropriate products. It will be important in the future, long after treatment is completed.

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    1. Thank you, Hon. I have read a bit about skin care and will also ask the radiation oncologist for specifics when I meet with him for the consultation. I have already bought two kinds of the mild soaps that were recommended in the articles I've read, but I will wait to buy the moisturizers until I've spoken with the radiation oncologist.

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