Rockin' & Rollin'

It's been a week on my newest IV drug and things seem to be going pretty smoothly. I am getting into a routine. I infuse my IV's at 10am, 4pm, 10pm and 4am. OK, so the 4am dose is pretty rough, but at least I've learned how to hook myself up in the dark, only half aware of what I'm doing. I'm finding that all of the spare time that I thought I would have, being off of work, is nowhere to be found. I have been one busy bee. The family and I went to a Cleveland Indians baseball game last Thursday, we went to Cedar Point Amusement Park's Halloweekends on Saturday and I went out to dinner with my girl friends on Wednesday night. I even went back to my exercise class twice last week! I was infusing my IV's all over town and feeling great about having the energy to get out and about... Until yesterday, when I crashed. I knew it would happen. I could feel my body starting to rebel. So yesterday was all about doing a bunch of nothing.

I think I overcompensated for having been completely out of it the week before. Nothing or nobody was going to stop me from doing everything that I set my mind to last week. I've decided that I am going to try t o pace myself for the remainder of my weeks left on IV's. I just can't get it all done every day without paying for it later. This will be a challenge for me, since I am typically and all or nothing type of girl.

So, I have a new attitude. I have got to limit myself and take care of myself. If I keep running myself ragged I will be no good for my family. I have to be kind to my body...I have to slow down...if I want to be available for my loved one's when they need me. My friend, Piper, reminded me of this when I was laboring over my treatment decision a month or so ago. She used the airplane oxygen mask analogy. I've flown a lot in my lifetime and over and over have heard the statement that "you must secure your own oxygen mask before helping others secure their masks". This is so true. I have also heard this time and time again as a Social Worker. We are always told to practice self-care to avoid burn-out. Again, you can't help others if you yourself are a wreck. This is what I need to constantly keep in the back of my mind when planning my day over the next few months. This is my new mission.

All in all I feel pretty good. The thrush is gone and so is the nausea. I continue to get my blood drawn twice a week to look for evidence of bone marrow suppression. This is the one thing that may derail this treatment plan. So far the bone marrow is looking strong. Good Stuff!