Day 3 the steroids have worn off.

The steroids wore off as expected today so I’m a bit nauseous and tired.

They told me the Wasabi would make me sun sensitive and they weren’t kidding. I was covered up yesterday except for my neck. I had spf of 55 on but still got burnt. So I bought this hat.

Even a bit sick to my stomach I haven’t lost my appetite. Jeff made me this delicious breakfast. Jeff makes me breakfast every morning. But it tasted even better today. ❀

Sven is also at the ready in case I need anything.

I saw this in instagram today and it’s so so true.

This could not be more true. While I feel sort of under the weather, the people of Ukraine are fighting for their county and their lives. πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦.

I’m fully aware and grateful of how extremely lucky I am. That’s not even some cancer lesson, that’s just the thought I think we all have when hearing the news about Ukraine.

Day 2 great thanks to steroids

It’s a good thing my friends Shannon and Wendy explained how this works, because otherwise I would think Wasabi gave me super powers.

The first drug they gave me now code named schnitzel (thank you Sara) is a steroid that works as a antinausea drug. That drug is the shit. I woke up feeling great, we went for a 2 mile walk and now I’m ready to go out to lunch.

Unfortunately it will wear off by tomorrow but I may challenge Jeff to arm wrestling first.

First dose too spicy

Within minutes of getting the first chemo drug I had an allergic reaction. I got super hot, dizzy and must have looked crazy because they took a photo of me. They said it was to send to the doctor but it might have just been funny.

Three nurses worked quickly switching me back to saline, took my blood pressure etc. After I was back to normal and they talked to my doctor they started it again but mixed with I assume saline. Now I’m fine.

My ice socks and ice packs for my hands are getting mixed reactions.

One nurse thought it was funny, one super interesting and one just rolled her eyes.

Wasabi #1

My code name for chemo is Wasabi. I hate saying chemo or treatment.

It starts at 9:00 and while saying I’m excited would be incorrect, I am happy to be starting because the sooner it starts the sooner it ends.

The entire thing should be about fours hours from start to finish. I’m packing my backpack as if I’m going for days.

Sven my support sloth is coming, along with Jeff, snacks, books, phone games, downloaded true crime docuseries, and most important an ice cooler!

My biggest concern is neurathapy which is nerve problems to your hands and feet. One thing that is supposed to help is icing your hands and feet. This infusion place doesn’t offer this so I have to bring my own.

Jeff and I were joking that we should put some Bud Lights in the cooler and tell people that as Americans we don’t go anywhere without beer.

Pre treatment blood test

This picture is demonstrating how empty handed I was leaving the blood test lab.

The first time I got a blood test after being diagnosed they presented me with a little box. I thought, “Weird. I need to give a urine sample and the container is in this box? But I opened it to find this.

chocolate or soap? It was chocolate!

They told me it was a present from the lab. Then the women all showed me the necklaces they were wearing which were the cancer support symbol. πŸŽ—πŸŽ—.

(Interesting side note. Each cancer has a different color ribbon. Ovarian cancer is teal. Breast cancer is pink. Yellow is several different cancers.)

I assumed this was going to be an ongoing gift but it must have been a one time only “Welcome to cancer” gift.

Not that I’m complaining. I’m trying to cut out sugar so I shouldn’t be eating chocolate anyway. There is also a supermarket in the same building so I can buy all the after blood draw candy I want. But still seems like I should at least get a sticker.

Today I bring the blood test results to the oncologist and then hopefully start the chemo tomorrow.

I hate saying chemo a hundred times a day so my new code word is Wasabi. As in tomorrow when I get my first Wasabi dose.

My on/off switch is installed

My port installation went well. It was a short surgery that I was drugged up for. I don’t remember anything about it except yelling out ouch at one point.

The port is under the skin so when the incision heals it will look like a bump under my skin.

I also woke up wearing this plastic bracelet that I’m pretty sure it’s an advertisement for the brand of port they installed.

It’s weird because it’s not like I had a choice of brands.

Later I had to get. A chest xray. I’m not completely sure why but it better not be to see if its in right.

It hurts a bit but not so much I can’t sit on the balcony.