Well here is Don completely shorn—"bald as a coot," he says. I think he looks really good this way so I'm glad he decided to phone his hairdresser yesterday and make an appointment to get his head shaved. What do you think? (All he needs is one gold earring and he'll look just like Mr. Clean.) We both feel most comfortable sitting around the house bald-headed and so that's what we do--we're liberated and have no bad hair days!
As for me, what a difference a day of chemo can make! I can't believe what a roller coaster I've been on since my first treatment on 19th May, just 13 days ago. Contrary to Don's experience, where he's still spending time on the golf course nearly every day, I don't think I've ever felt more tired or run-down for such an extended period of time. Fortunately, I have not had any nausea, vomiting, or other unpleasant and really debilitating symptoms. But I have had a variety of infections, sores in my mouth, incredible tiredness, lassitude, and lack of stamina or energy. I'm slow, sluggish, and sleepy a lot of the time. I try not to sleep much during the day because otherwise I'd never sleep at night. As it is I have gradually managed to stretch a night's sleep from 3 hours to about 6½, which is progress indeed.
More recently I've been having fainting spells which I can't seem to get beyond. If they happen when I'm alone, they are truly frightening. Fortunately, our MacMillan Nurse will visit tomorrow and so I can ask her for advice. Meanwhile, from Googling "what to do about fainting spells" I have learned that I am drinking too much caffeine, I'm dehydrated and must drink much more water, my ankles are swollen, so I'm wearing support hose and after I send this, must lie down on the couch with my feet above the level of my heart for a while.
However, I have been focusing on quilting and producing at least one quilt top a day. I'm focusing on smaller projects that I can sit down to do in a little bit of time and that don't tax my energy. None of these quilts is finished, but at least I have the basic design set and I move on to the next piece. This week I received 2 new quilt books and a Quilting Arts Magazine, all of which have brought much inspiration. When I feel more energetic and feel I can stand on my feet for a wee while to work, my plan is to start experimenting with some new surface design techniques. Toward this end, I ordered some supplies from a UK supplier.
The gardening remains to be done. Fortunately, our friend Nan has come twice to do some weeding in our back garden. She wants to help and knows I can't do it. I am, however, going to have to enlist Don's help to get some plants we've already bought into the ground. We had a very warm day yesterday; it got up to 24C which is about 75 degrees. Don, bless him, got out there and cut the grass in the front and the back. Yesterday's blog has a photo of our first blooming Meconopsis, the stunning Himalayan Blue Poppy. I planted two of these plants at the end of last year's growing season and have hoped for the best. The second plant is in bud so I hope to have two blooms (at least) soon.
Lest you think my life is a total downer, we went to another folk concert last night. This one was held in the village hall in Braco, a village we travel through going from Comrie to the A9 Motorway. The concert featured 3 female vocalists who perform in their own right: Annie Grace (who concertises in Comrie each October), Karine Polwart, and Corrina Hewat. They mostly sang together in harmony, but sometimes they would take turns singing solo or playing their special instruments (Scottish harp or Clarsach, elbow pipes, Northumberland pipes, whistles, and a funny little Pakastani/Indian squeezebox). They were each super as soloists but when they sang together, it was magic. (Someone referred to them as the female Scottish version of Crosby, Stills, and Nash. That's not a bad analogy.) So now we're waiting for them to release a group CD. Last night was the best I felt all day yesterday so I came home feeling really good and perhaps that's what helped me have a good night.
Anyway, I'm sorry to be doing so much whinging about my condition. I simply wasn't prepared for how tough this first round of chemo would be. They say I will gradually feel better and better until it's time for the next round. (I don't like that word "until" in this case.)
As for me, what a difference a day of chemo can make! I can't believe what a roller coaster I've been on since my first treatment on 19th May, just 13 days ago. Contrary to Don's experience, where he's still spending time on the golf course nearly every day, I don't think I've ever felt more tired or run-down for such an extended period of time. Fortunately, I have not had any nausea, vomiting, or other unpleasant and really debilitating symptoms. But I have had a variety of infections, sores in my mouth, incredible tiredness, lassitude, and lack of stamina or energy. I'm slow, sluggish, and sleepy a lot of the time. I try not to sleep much during the day because otherwise I'd never sleep at night. As it is I have gradually managed to stretch a night's sleep from 3 hours to about 6½, which is progress indeed.
More recently I've been having fainting spells which I can't seem to get beyond. If they happen when I'm alone, they are truly frightening. Fortunately, our MacMillan Nurse will visit tomorrow and so I can ask her for advice. Meanwhile, from Googling "what to do about fainting spells" I have learned that I am drinking too much caffeine, I'm dehydrated and must drink much more water, my ankles are swollen, so I'm wearing support hose and after I send this, must lie down on the couch with my feet above the level of my heart for a while.
However, I have been focusing on quilting and producing at least one quilt top a day. I'm focusing on smaller projects that I can sit down to do in a little bit of time and that don't tax my energy. None of these quilts is finished, but at least I have the basic design set and I move on to the next piece. This week I received 2 new quilt books and a Quilting Arts Magazine, all of which have brought much inspiration. When I feel more energetic and feel I can stand on my feet for a wee while to work, my plan is to start experimenting with some new surface design techniques. Toward this end, I ordered some supplies from a UK supplier.
The gardening remains to be done. Fortunately, our friend Nan has come twice to do some weeding in our back garden. She wants to help and knows I can't do it. I am, however, going to have to enlist Don's help to get some plants we've already bought into the ground. We had a very warm day yesterday; it got up to 24C which is about 75 degrees. Don, bless him, got out there and cut the grass in the front and the back. Yesterday's blog has a photo of our first blooming Meconopsis, the stunning Himalayan Blue Poppy. I planted two of these plants at the end of last year's growing season and have hoped for the best. The second plant is in bud so I hope to have two blooms (at least) soon.
Lest you think my life is a total downer, we went to another folk concert last night. This one was held in the village hall in Braco, a village we travel through going from Comrie to the A9 Motorway. The concert featured 3 female vocalists who perform in their own right: Annie Grace (who concertises in Comrie each October), Karine Polwart, and Corrina Hewat. They mostly sang together in harmony, but sometimes they would take turns singing solo or playing their special instruments (Scottish harp or Clarsach, elbow pipes, Northumberland pipes, whistles, and a funny little Pakastani/Indian squeezebox). They were each super as soloists but when they sang together, it was magic. (Someone referred to them as the female Scottish version of Crosby, Stills, and Nash. That's not a bad analogy.) So now we're waiting for them to release a group CD. Last night was the best I felt all day yesterday so I came home feeling really good and perhaps that's what helped me have a good night.
Anyway, I'm sorry to be doing so much whinging about my condition. I simply wasn't prepared for how tough this first round of chemo would be. They say I will gradually feel better and better until it's time for the next round. (I don't like that word "until" in this case.)
Meanwhile, you all have been so wonderful with your e-mails, e-cards, snailmail cards, books, CDs, letters of encouragement, and general support and lovingkindness. We now have our alpaca shawl and laprug for comfort which were knitted by church friends, and a few days ago, the album arrived from the Caring Service held at River Road Unitarian Universalist Church on Sunday May 4th. We have been all the way through it once and read every scrap contained therein and will be spending more time with it in the near future. It's a lovely album and a gracious indication of your thoughtfulness. Thank you all so much.
1 comment:
Dear Lynn, your chickens, your flowers, and your darling hubby's bald pate are all quite wonderful! Feeling debilitated and especially feeling dizzy are not, and I'm so sorry to hear about those side-effects. I can hear your strength and humor and lovingkindness coming through all of that, however, and I hope the coming week will bring you more peace in body and mind. Meanwhle, keep them chickens coming!
Sue Walen
Post a Comment