Category: Chemo cycle #2

Rolf and Samuel hadus over for a special pre Easter dinner. Gisela works with Rolf at the German embassy. We haven’t seen her for awhile so it was great to see her. Hannah also works at the embassy as an intern. She called Rolf, Herr Holcher all night which was super sweet.

We had a special Venezuelan fish dish and a German “fake bunny.”

When shots of Jagermeister started I happy to have an excuse not to drink one. Wasabi does have some benefits.

Earlier today we went for a walk where I sat on the world’s most uncomfortable park bench

I was feeling good today so we went to Parque Omar. Because it’s Good Friday businesses were closed and even the park was empty.

Jeff walked ahead to do the complete 3.5 kilometer loop while I, for once knew exactly how far I could walk.

The fruit stand is .75 km. I ordered a strawberry, blueberry, raspberry juice which was delicious. Then walked back which was the perfect distance.

Due to it being a holiday, getting an Uber took longer than normal. So I got home late for a work meeting which meant I was in my zoom call wearing my sparkly sun shirt. My coworkers had to be wondering why I was wearing a disco shirt, but were too nice to ask.

While this looks photoshopped, I really did get in the pool today. I developed kind of a weird phobia of swimming for 3 reasons.

1 I’ve been afraid all my hair would fall out in the pool and break the pool drains.

But then I remembered I bought this very weird hat in case I do go bald. I was able to stuff my hair under it.

2. I was afraid my port would show and freak out strangers.

But turns out my bathing suit strap covers it. And I wore my sun protection swim jacket. In case you are curious, the port is under my skin but looks like a weird bone spur. If you want to see it text me and I’ll send you a photo.

3. I was worried I’d get an infection from the pool.

The pools at our building are really clean, but I did take precautions. I didn’t put my head under. I got in at 7:30 which might mean no one was in since the day before, and I waited until today when my immune system is back to normal.

And in case you are wondering, my workout consisted of hopping, some water aerobic moves I remember from the class I took with my mom last year, Jazzercise, and two reenactmented scenes from the movie Grease.

Today our big outing was the supermarket. It’s about the size of a QFC or Jewel. So it’s not huge, but waking through it was enough exercise for me.

My first thought was we’d walk there but then remembered. Uh Wasabi tired. Take an Uber.

I was able to skip the wine and booze aisle. Alcohol does not taste good right now. I’m not supposed to drink on Wasabi so that’s good. Not a hardship not to drink.

8:00am is a great time to go. We were pretty much the only ones there.

Every day is a bit better. Starting to think of where to visit when Wasabi is over. It’s funny to think we’ve been here two years and four months and still have hardly been out of the city.

Jeff and I took a short walk that ended with a view of this building. Not much to say about it except that hallway connecting the two buildings was is pretty cool.

Now that I’m feeling better Sven was able to just sit around enjoying coffee with us.

He got excited when he thought there was a leaf to eat on the balcony floor. He was disappointed to see it wasnt a leaf, but a leaf bug.

He was kind of embarrassed at his mistake, so he busied himself with checking Jeff’s wrist brace.

I’m on the upswing and feeling better. Today we walked to the store that is only two blocks from our apartment. Turns out empanadas are As healing as pop tarts.

I still have hair but Sven tried on some of my hats so he can match with me if it does fall out.

We’re making something called a zucchini scarpaccia for dinner. Right now it looks like a salad in a cookie sheet.

This really cute coffee stand opened up across the street from our building. We walked over and just crossing the street wore me out.

I got this fantastic juice and felt great. They do this funny thing here. It happens in Ubers to us all the time. When we walked in they were playing some fun Latin music. Then we sat down and they switched it to the Eagles. I love the Eagles but I also love Reggaton.

Feeling only lasted until I stood up. I thought I might fall asleep while crossing the street back to our building.

But as long as in reclining on this lounge chair I’m good.

Today is the “nadir” which is the term for when my white and red blood cells are at the lowest. Tomorrow I should be back on the upswing.

I’m feeling good as long a I’m sitting or lying down. But as soon as I try to do normal things I get too tired.

Jeff and I walked to the organic store this morning. It’s a short, flat 20 minute walk.

It started out great, especially when I sat down 5 minutes into the walk for a rest.

I still felt good when we spotted this parrot on top of the white part of the building.

But then I used up any energy I had and was too tired to shop and almost too tired to cross the street to get in the waiting taxi to take us home.

Back in our apt I had a meltdown when I had to lie down to regain enough energy to even take a shower.

But then I was able to rest and was ok. And now we have the makings for an all organic pizza that Jeff is making for dinner while I rest.

All the advice I’ve read and been told to listen to my body and not push myself is making more sense now.

I’m feeling good although still tired. I forced myself to go for a walk. It was just under a mile around the block. You would have thought I walked a marathon. I was so worn out at the end. But it was good to get out.

Sven thought this was a sloth carrying case and was disappointed when I didn’t bring him along.

I’m still have a few days before my white and red blood cells are on their way back up. But, I think the chicken broth, vitamins and pop tarts are working because I’m feeling on the mend.