Fatigue
is the best pillow.
- Benjamin Franklin
Day
33 and that is what I'm experiencing. Fatigue! I don't know exactly
what old Ben was thinking, but I'm sure not liking this fatigue. I
guess I'm beginning to reach a point in this course of chemotherapy
and radiation where this side effect, fatigue, is becoming prominent.
I
am finding that I am reasonably functional for about 6 to 7 hours
currently. Today should have been a pretty easy day. I only had my 15
minute radiation treatment. Then I drove over to my CPA's office to
drop off some tax papers (yes, I'm one of those who seems to
perpetually be on an extension each year even though my taxes are
quite simple these days). And then I drove to the Walmart to pick up
a couple prescriptions awaiting me. And, then it was back to Judy's
house. It was about 3 PM.
I
had to drag myself into the house and up the one flight of stairs to
one of the spare bedrooms I'm using. I then parked myself on the bed
and that was it. I didn't fall asleep. I answered emails and texts.
But, I didn't have any energy to tackle any of the projects I had on
my agenda for this afternoon. This is just not me. Sadly, I think
this is going to get worse before it gets better. I have one more day
of radiation this week.
Tomorrow,
Carolyn is driving in from West Virginia to pick me up, take me over
to the Cancer Center and then we'll drive back to West Virginia for
the weekend. Monday she'll drive me back and I'll have another week
of the same regimen . . . radiation five days, chemotherapy one day
and a meeting with a new doctor after chemo on Wednesday. Only three
more weeks to go. I will be finished with all the chemo and radiation
on October 25th. Frankly, at this point, it seems like
that could be a lifetime away.
By
sometime next week I may begin to have difficulty eating traditional
meals due to the effects of the radiation as well as the chemo. I was
forewarned of this by Rodney Huff, my medical oncologist's “first
officer.” So, I may move to smoothies and pureed foods. And, if it
gets even more difficult, I may have a feeding tube inserted.
Don't
get the wrong idea. I'm really not whining or complaining. Based on
everything that led up to this circumstance, I could be pushing up
daisies. I'm thankful and in awe that I'm alive and able to
experience this adventure. What's the old saying, “When the going
gets tough, the tough get going?” I'm not the first person to go
through this and I'm surely not going to be the last. And, so far,
I'm doing great. I work very hard at keeping my attitude up. But,
that doesn't mean I don't have 'my times.'
Not
much else to say right now. Again, I remind you that at the beginning
of this series of articles there would be some boring posts. It takes
energy to keep the wheels turning in the brain to generate
interesting prose. That energy is not in me tonight. So, with that
I'll simply say . . .
Live
free and be happy. EH
1 comment:
Hang in there Ed
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