The Week after chemo #8

I had chemo on April 24, the 8th treatment.   I realize that Chemo #12 is not the last that I will ever have, but, it is a goal as far as my mind is concerned.
As to side effects this time, I only took phenergan once the afternoon I was getting the pump off and getting fluids.  This time I felt that I would try to eat every few hours to ward off nausea instead of taking a pill.  The trouble is, with this comes not feeling like eating since nothing is very appetizing.  Appetizing means that your taste buds in your mouth are not picking up much.  But, I managed to get through the nausea by eating instead of pills.  Yay!!!!
Not only did the nausea cease after a few days with eating small amounts, but I did not get the usual diarrhea episodes.  That has me fooled this time!!!.   I hadn't  had chemo  since March 31, so I had a long span of relief from side effects in that time.   I also could eat most anything that I eat nowadays without problems, but maybe a little constipation because of lack of fiber.  (Since this is my "blog" I can mention anything  I wantt:)
Since Saturday and Sunday, I have been eating much more.   I eat small amounts and have added some fresh fruit without skins and cooked veggies this week to my regular chicken or turkey.  I actually bought some fish this week which I have missed.  I may make it this week since next week I won't feel too much like cooking.
Today I bought steamed shrimp at Krogers, cooled it and ate shrimp for lunch:)   Funny thing is, I was craving a donut so bought a few of those at Krogers and ate that for lunch too.  .  Of course, my Weight Watchers' program  is no longer part of my life  since I have now lost about 20 lbs. in other ways:):)    Just have a donut, cake, chocolate chip cookies, etc  and not worry about it:):):).
I do not eat fried things or fat. only low fat if I have to.  The donut will not be bothersome unless I make it a habit.  I take a special prescription pancreatic enzyme 3 times a day called Creon that really helps things digest well in my system.
I start Treatment #9 on Monday and then will not have another treatment until June 5th.  I was told at the beginning of all this that I could only have 6 months to live if I didn't take any treatments...This means that I will see Sarah graduate from New Covenant on June 3.  I will be having a sigmoidoscopy on May 17 to check out my lower intestinal tract for reasons for possible swelling.  No big deal now that I have been through so much already:)  I have no pain or discomfort.
As of 2 treatments ago, I have noticed my hair getting very thin on the top...not old age:)  May have to look into a wig if I get through all this chemo.
I also have noticed more neuropathy in my feet and legs but haven't fallen or lost my balance yet.  I can still "feel" the pedals when I drive.  Whoopee!!!!   But, Agustin rubs my feet a lot and uses his massage reflexology techniques on my feet.  I never refuse his offers and he does it almost every night when I need it.
OK>   So, I am anxiously waiting for my sister and her fiance to get back from Turkey where they are visiting George's daughter and family.  Aside from being sick the whole time there, she is enjoying the children alot.  There are 8.   I am praying for Margie.  She seems to be under very  good medical care there. She was told over there by a pulmonologist that she has a bacterial infection.   Did she have to go all the way there to find this out?   Hopefully she will be well enough to travel back this weekend.   She is on 2 antibiotics and 3 meds.
As far as the trip goes, and the 3 planes involved, I  told them wheelchairs are the best way to travel for people our age these days if you have to walk a lot  in the airport:):)   They will be gaining 7 hours as they travel back.
Had a good check-up with one of my cardiologists, and although I have a left Bundle Branch Block, I have had no  Afib episodes in the last 8 months so all is well on that front:)
Our daughter Ruthie had to go off her Sprycell last week for her CML.  She is taking a diuretic for a side effect that has developed  from this drug.  In a few weeks, our oncologist will check her blood and put her on another chemo pill that we hope will continue to ward off her leukemia as well.  I pray for her since she is an active, helpful, wonderful  daughter as are our other children I might add:)
I have had a chance to read some books lately from various walks of life and have thoroughly enjoyed them. All recommended by friends:
"A Reason for Hope"  ~   Michael Barry  (Gaining Strength for Your Fight Against Cancer)
"Love, Period.  When All Else Fails"   ~   Rudy Rasmus
"Marriage Takes More Than Love"   ~   Jack and Carole Mayhall
" Love, Medicine & Miracles"   ~   Bernie Siegel, MD  (Just started this one:)
I have so much to be thankful for within our own family situation and listening to other cancer patients as they go through their unique and grateful hopeful lives.  None of us know "our time", but those of us who are faced head on with a  life threatening disease have learned to be thankful for each day and  to be thankful for life itself.  I am grateful that I don't  have pain.  That would really be challenging for me I think.  But, I believe that God would continue to give the strength and hope I would need to get through it whichever way it would take me.
Proverbs 3:5-6    "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, In all  your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct  your paths."   These verses always come to mind these days just because we are asked by the Lord, to make sure we acknowledge Him as Lord of our lives and He promises to direct our lives.   Always a reassurance for me!