I went for my blood test in the morning. The waiting room was full, so I had a bit of a wait. But it wasn't too bad.
On the way home, I stopped at the dollar store. I was hoping to buy a lint roller to remove cat fur from the sofa, but they didn't have any. Instead, I bought a few other items I needed, such as night light bulbs, zippered sandwich and freezer bags, a roll of duct tape, etc. Then, I went to the grocery store (located next door to the dollar store) and bought a container for half and half ($1.79) for daughter's coffee (she's coming home tomorrow night). Neither stop was on my to do list for today (I had originally planned to buy the half and half tomorrow), but I decided to do it today as I was passing the stores on my way home from the clinic and it would be one less thing to do tomorrow; I added them to the to do list after the fact!
After I came home, I did office work. In between, I remade daughter's bed, did another load of laundry, finished dusting my bedroom, and later, watered the back garden (another item I added to the to do list, today!)
However, I didn't get to the other items on my to do list. I sort of ran out of energy. I felt rather frustrated by my lack of energy (enough to shed a few angry tears about it!), but one of the comments by Hon Min on an earlier post mentioned loss of energy due to radiation treatments and it reminded me that even though I am not as fatigued as I was when I was undergoing chemo, the radiation was also tiring me. So, I need to be more patient with myself and allow myself more time to sit and rest.
Thursday's To Do List:
- Go for blood test - DONE
- Office work - DONE
- Put away washed dishes - DONE
- Remake daughter's bed - DONE
- Do a load of laundry - DONE
- Grocery store and dollar store - DONE
- Prepare strawberries for freezing
- Finish dusting my bedroom - DONE
- Call to reschedule eye appointment
- Tidy family room
- Round up the dust bunnies!
Friday's To Do List:
- Make sandwiches to take with me
- Go for hydration session
- Go for radiation, afterwards
- Home and rest!
- Email the office
- Put away dried laundry
- Prepare strawberries for freezing
- Call to reschedule eye appointment (find phone number first!)
- Pick up daughter from airport
- Clean litter box
Other items I'd like to get done:
- Sew cushion covers back on
- Tidy dining table
- Tidy family room
- Round up dust bunnies
Today, I am grateful for:
- Being able to get my shopping done on the way home from the clinic
- The reminder that the lack of energy is a side effect of the radiation
- Phone call from my aunt
- Daily emails from my friend
- Knowing I can let some things go undone for another day or two
How was your day?
I think Hon Min is right. Your body has been poisoned (chemo) and is now being burned (radiation). Also, your body has had the stress of you staying strong and keeping it together. Now the end is in sight you will feel the effect of all those months and it will hit you. Sending hugs and good vibes and prayers and I hope you take care of yourself. I think you have been awesome and managed so much at a tough time. x
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lyssa. I appreciate the well wishes and prayers and hugs. I just need to take it easy for a little bit and stop trying to be superwoman. :)
Delete((HUGS)) I'm not undergoing chemo or radiation and running just a few errands leaves me without energy for the rest of the day! Don't discount the heat. Going in and out of an air conditioned car into the heat and then into air conditioned buildings back into the heat and then going home to a home that might be comfortable but still a tad hot... that's enough to rob you of a lot of energy too! So add to that your radiation treatment, I'm amazed that you're able to accomplish anything at all.
ReplyDeleteAh, I need to round up the dust bunnies too! By now, they're like snow monsters.
I hope you you're not as frustrated today and that you enjoy your daughter's visit this weekend. Have a great day!
Thank you, Nathalie. Yes, the heat saps the energy, too, doesn't it? I was never the most conscientious of housekeepers, but I managed to keep things somewhat under control. Since the cancer treatment started, however, I've not been able to do much. I'm feeling better, today, though. My lovely cousin, who accompanied me to the treatments today, took it upon herself to round up the dust bunnies and swept the entire house for me!
DeleteAlso, We have poundshops which I think are the same as a dollar store - everything £1. I can't resist those places. I always end up with extras as they have so many useful things that the main supermarkets don't carry. x
ReplyDeleteYes, your poundshops sound like our dollar stores. Everything is $1. I find some good bargains, there. :)
DeleteBless, I am so sorry you felt so frustrated.. You are accomplishing a really lot.. Hon is right, the radiation treatments will zap your energy, And as Nathalie said, the heat zaps you too..
ReplyDeleteYou have been through a very rough and trying year.. Take it easy upon yourself. Was so happy to read in your answer, that your cousin swept and dusted for you.. So very sweet.
Know you will enjoy sweet daughters visit this weekend..
Praying for you. hugs.
Thank you, Judy. I just need to do babysteps. I keep forgetting that I am putting in a full day's work in addition to all the treatments and medical appointments, and it all takes time and energy! Not much of either is leftover for housework, afterwards! Cousin was a real angel!
DeleteI'm amazed at all you accomplish considering you have to cope with the heat in addition to a punishing year of various treatments. Even something like hydration is all abnormal to regular life, and all the blood tests and such have had their effect quite apart from actual chemo and radiation. Cut yourself some slack my dear, you've outrun most of us in spite of all this! You need a good dose of normal life without endless medical stuff, and when this happens you will pick up and fly off the mountain top! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteBushlady
Thank you, Bushlady. I keep forgetting I am still under treatment and need to take things easy while I recover!
DeleteOh Bless ... I so agree, as others have conveyed, that you have been exceptionally strong going thru your treatments mainly on your own and now that they're coming to an end, your body is reacting to the downshift You can now relax a bit, let your body tell you when it needs rest, and react accordingly. What a strong and resilient woman you are!!! (((Hugs)))
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carolyn. You know me - I try to approach things with a "can do" attitude. But, I guess, there is only so much I can do when I am trying to recover from cancer while working full time, etc.
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