Thursday, July 29, 2010

The Few. The Proud. The Marines.




Hey friends! I'm not posting regularly right now due to my chemo treatments, but while on YouTube this morning I came across this great tribute to America's greatest fighting force and had to post it. I love all the armed forces, but my late uncle was a Marine and so the Corp has a special place in my heart. Anyway, here's the video. Hope you enjoy it!

Monday, July 12, 2010

Update On Me

Hello everyone! I'm so sorry I've been away for so long. I haven't been here because I've been dealing with the effects of my first round of chemo. In a word, it was AWFUL.

I had my first dose of chemotherapy on Wednesday, June 30; talk about the cure being worse than the disease! I didn't have any nausea or vomiting thanks to some anti-nausea medicine, but I had something worse: a paralyzing, frightening, CRUSHING fatigue. Actually, "fatigue" doesn't begin to describe it but it's the only word I can think of. I've never felt anything like it in my life. It was as if the chemo was a pharmaceutical vampire sucking every ounce of energy from my body. All I could do was sleep, but it wasn't a restful sleep. Do you know how miserable it is to sleep 15 hours and wake up as drained as when you laid down? That first round of chemo was so bad that I seriously considered not taking anymore, but then I started coming out of it.

Saturday night I stopped feeling the chemo draining my energy and started to feel a "normal" exhaustion. From then on I slooooooowly climbed back to normalcy, feeling well enough to go to work on Tuesday, July 5. I lasted only half a day but it was still a big step forward. Since then I've worked every day and gotten stronger and stronger. I've gotten back into the rhythm of normal life, except for blogging. I don't know why, but I've had no desire to blog since I had chemo. I hope it's not a sign of "chemo brain", a condition where the ability to concentrate and remember is impaired. And I hope my interest in my blogs will return SOON!

So that's what's been happening, sweet friends, and that's why I've been away. I'm here for tonight but don't know when I'll be back. Be prepared for my postings to stay irregular during my chemo treatments which will end in October. I'll post as my physical, emotional, and mental health allows. Please keep your prayers and good vibes coming my way; I will need them. I'll receive my second round of chemo this coming Wednesday. The nurses said the second time will be a little easier. I so hope they are right; another round of that oppressive fatigue will be unbearable.

Pray for me.