So the rumor is true--I'm done with Chemotherapy!!! I have a graduation certificate and warm lap quilt (thanks to the "Sisters of the Lone Peak Stake") to prove it...and the nurses sang me a graduation song (to the tune of Happy B-Day). It went something like this: Congratulations to you, your chemotherapy is through, We wish you good health, and Happiness too! I hugged them all and said "Thanks, I hope to never see you here again!"--and they agreed!
Once the infusion was over and the excitement of the moment was over--it was on to the reality of feeling yucky for the next few days...and totally exhuasted....and a total chemo brain! Now I know that all of you think that you have forgetful moments just like mine, but unless you've had chemo I will beg to differ. There is something different about chemo brain--it is more like pure glitches in the machinery or pure lapses of time and reality even when you are making a tremendous effort to keep a grip on it. Look it up...it is listed as a tangible side affect of chemo and to make matters worse Dr. Buys asked me how my chemo brain was doing...and offered to sign me up as a "chemo brain study participant" if things weren't looking better by my July 1 follow-up appointment.
Please, don't let me be eligible to be a participant in a chemo brain study...I really need to be functioning on "all 8 cylinders" as my husband would say--so that I can handle my three kids who are all playing soccer this season, plus one playing basketball on top of that and one child begging to be able to play! Suddenly I am extremely grateful that most of this cancer treatment has taken place during the dead of winter when only Ryan was playing basketball and the girls were taking a break from most of their obligations to sports. Now we are back to the crazy schedule of having all three of them practice on Thursday night...and various other practices happening on every other night of the week--and I'm trying to keep track of all those ins and outs of the house with only a partially functioning brain.
Did I mention that I am sooooo grateful that there are no more sessions of chemo to come??? Can't imagine the flood of phone calls from kids who have been left at soccer practice "who is coming to pick me up???" What, Who, Where....do I have 4 children??? are you talking to me...do you have the right number....OH, yeah....I'm remembering now--yesterday was chemo, I had the schedule all worked out....ooops then I forgot to call all those mom's to help me!!! Details, Details--
Chemo should have come with a big red label reading "chemo and motherhood calendars should never be mixed!" Arrange for surrogate mother for at least 4 days after the injestion of this infusion. This drug may cause: sleepiness, forgetfulness, nausea, crankiness and general confusion and a tendency to check out of reality for long periods of time. Memory glitches may never be retrieved--Take this Drug at your own risk...the management is not responsible for any actions contrived or percieved by the taker!!
I think maybe I could be eligible for damages--anyone know a good lawyer who will fight for me to recoup my losses?
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4 comments:
I love you Jenifer! And your whole family, and I'm so glad that you've finished! Though I also know that "finished" just means with one part of all of it. Anyhow. You're in all of our prayers.
Yeah! I had a similiar brain when prego. I know may not be the same but goodness sake it was awful. I am glad to hear you are done. When I see you again I am gonna give you a great big HUG!<> You are so awesome. Say hi to the family!
Can I quote you in Relief Society? You are such an eloquent writer. Now that you are done with chemo, we will schedule a visit next time we are up in UT. I can't believe how many years it has been since I've seen you!
Hi there,
I've had a mastectomy at the U of U and Dr. Agarwal is my reconstructive doctor too. Are you all done or do you have any advice to share?
Thanks
Julie
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