It seems like I woke up this morning and summer seemed suddenly over. The rain was pouring down and the air was cold. It was funny that I was slapping on sunscreen a few days earlier and now was putting on sweaters and jackets today! Well this is one of the downsides of living in Norway – short summers. It makes me happy that I have done the bulk of my chemo in the warm and bright summer months as it will be tough to drag myself to the hospital every week in the cold dark winter days. I will be starting my new regime on Friday and am again feeling those first time C-spa jitters. One of the scariest things about the C-spa experience is waiting for it to actually begin as you fear the unknown and how your body will react. I am hopeful this round will be easier and the next 12 weeks will sail by. From what I hear that should be the case and the biggest thing to worry about is extreme fatigue which I am no stranger to! For those curious types some of the other side effects from my new drug include finger and feet tingling (just plain weird), hair loss (goodbye eyebrows), nail loss (yes this one scared me too!), weight gain(time to cut back on Ben and Jerrys) and just plain old body aches. So I will channel my inner warrior again and take my new cocktail with as little anxiety as I can manage.
In other news – I have started my at home Norwegian classes in my bid to become fluent before my daughter is exclusively speaking Norwegian and I have no idea what she is saying. I am lucky enough to live in a country that provides me this service for free – Go Norway! So my teacher came to my house and I got the ol’ grey matter thinking again about things other than the Big C. It feels good to learn again and do something different. As I am keen to get back into normal life and a normal job once my treatment is done, it is important to do things like this that keep me focused on the future. Looking ahead in a positive way is so important to maintaining your sanity when going through something as major as cancer.
The not so good news is about my dear Captain AC. We had hoped the Captain would only need surgery and radiation but following her operation she was given some hard news. She will be checking into the C-Spa in a few weeks time and joining this elite group of bald headed warriors fighting the Pink War. I am giving her all the advice I can but know and understand how terrified she is. However she is a survivor in every sense of the word and I know she will get through this with the same grace, courage and humor she has used to get through all the other challenges in her life. And I will be waiting at that finish line for her and we can have one heck of a celebration.
So that is the news with OBB – nothing profound from me this time around but hopefully you are up to date with what’s happening in my world.
OBB
Even though summer is almost getting to an end and you can feel the chill air and gloom after the pouring rain, Mother nature is still very nice to us as we can always see the vast, clear-blue sky overhead.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know that you have started your at home Norwegian classes in your bid to become fluent before your daughter is exclusively speaking Norwegian and you have no idea what she is saying. Sure, you are very lucky to be living in a country that provides you this service for free. That's something you should rejoice and be thankful for despite your struggle with the C-battle.
Sad to hear that your dear Captain AC will be checking into the C-Spa in a few weeks time and joining this elite group of bald headed warriors fighting the Pink War. It's so sweet and generous of you to be sharing all the advice and experience you can, and understand how terrified she is. Like you said, she is a survivor in every sense of the word and you know she will get through this with the same grace, courage and humor she has used to get through all the other challenges in her life. I have full confidence that she will come out of this battle healthily and triumphantly. Just wait patiently for the day when you two can have a wonderful celebration together.
I fully understand your anxiety as you approach your second cycle of new cocktail. But, bear in mind that you have done very well so far. So take courage again to face it regardless of the pain, fear, and unpleasant days that may come your way. Those hair loss, nail loss, nails turing black, weight gain or loss are, but mere cosmatic changes. Most important of all, maintaining your confidence, assurance, courage and calmess as a warrior is what you need to do. You will make it. Best of luck! Go new cocktail go!
Hugs and Prayers.