Cleaning For a Reason

I heard of this great foundation on a message board Cleaning For a Reason, they offer free cleaning services on a monthly basis to cancer patient. They came this past Monday and scrubbed my entire house from top to bottom in an hour. They're quick! And my house smelled so clean and looked great for about 2-3 hours until the kids started making a mess again ;) They'll be coming here once a month for 4 months, which will be very helpful since I'm usually back to my normal self on the 3rd week of the cycle.

Otherwise, this cycle has been treating me OK. Not too many funky side effect this time around (so far!). I did get a new rash, but it left as quickly as it came. I am definitely going through a chemo induced menopause with all the hot flashes that comes with it. At first I thought it was great ;) But then I realized that it's only temporary, when chemo is over, due to my age, my body will be acting normal again, meaning I'll be going through menopause twice. Not so great.

The boys seem to be handling it better now. We're getting less tantrums over nothing. Jerome was the worst for this, he's doing better. They're back with their skating classes which they love, I think it's helpful to them.

3 down, 3 to go :)

I'll be technically half way there the day before my next treatment which is scheduled for February 9th, just in time to get me in top shape for Valentine's Day ;)

So far, I'm dealing with the usual fatigue. My taste didn't fully leave this time but it's off a little. Some joint pain. Could be better, could be worst!

I did manage to enjoy my weekend before this chemo, which was a nice change to be feeling well enough for a bit. I did get sworn in as a US citizen this past Friday, I will be uploading a picture once I'm on the right computer.

Off to bed, just a quick update to tell y'all I'm OK :)

Though Weekend

My rash did clear. Phew! And I'll skip the rest of the weekend as it just went downhill and y'all really don't want the details ;) With that said, it is Monday and it is a new week. I'm feeling much better and looking forward to a week with no side effects. Not much to say but I wanted to update you on my rash situation.

I picked up my wig when I went in the office last week. I finally got around to take a picture. I like it, but I still don't know how I feel about it. It's not that comfortable, it's hot, tight and itchy! And that's a nice wig, the cheaper ones are worse! I'll have to try her out and see. But they're tricky, can't really wear it around the house, well, not in the kitchen. I have to be careful with heat, so no cooking, steam, microwaves or dishwasher near it or it will melt. Hummm... there's an idea, if I wear the wig, I can't cook or clean ;) But seriously, around the house I mostly go bald unless my head gets cold. Take this as a warning if you stop by without calling first, you might just be surprised!

A Rash!

Yep, that's what I have, a rash! I went in their office this morning then the oncology nurse took a look at my rash, started pushing buttons on her computer telling she was prescribing me some medicine and that it should clear out soon. So I asked her what it was, to which she answered "Oh I don't know, you'd have to see a dermatologist for that!" Isn't wonderful to go the the doctor and to be given pills, and strong ones that is (steroids!) for something that they don't know what it is! She gave me an anti-itch pill and the steroid to clear the rash. If it doesn't clear, then I should see a dermatologist.

The moral of the story is, if I get a rash with my next round, I'll go straight to the dermatologist ;)

Lovely Side Effects :)

Here's my new favorite head cover. Felix does NOT like it. Oh well!

This 2nd treatment (TX) had been much easier than the first round. Although my taste didn't fully come back yet, what's back didn't leave again. I have been able to taste my food and I can finally taste chocolate again :) Still no nausea. No joint pain this time around. I did get the fatigue last week, I was exhausted for a couple of days. So tired that talking on the phone was asking a lot out of me! I even had a 12-hour night of sleep! But by Saturday, I was about back to normal.

Now, I'm saying HAD been much easier, because I've developed this rash on my head. Until today, I thought it was folliculitis, an infection of your hair follicules. I've tried just about all the little OTC creams out there, hydro cortisone, benadryl, neosporin. It's not working and now the rash is spreading elsewhere but it looks different, so I'm thinking I might be dealing with 2 different types of rashes. I didn't get any sleep last night, Steve said the bed was shaking all night from me scratching. Looks like I was scratching & sleeping at the same time. It itches so bad, it's horrible. I made an appointment in the morning so that they can take a good look at it and prescribe the right medication. I'm currently in my nadir (the period where my body is at it's weakest) so it might have something to do with a low blood count. Will see.

Other than that, I passed my citizenship test on Monday. I was quite amazed at the fact that they only asked me 4 questions, asked to read 1 sentence and asked to write 1 sentence! I was expecting it to be a little more challenging. My application has been approved and I have to go back next Friday, the 16th, to be sworn in and receive my certificate of citizenship. Then no more dealing with immigration!

The boys were quite happy to resume schooling today. They missed doing school work during their Christmas vacations.

Happy New Year!

Amazingly, I managed to stay up to see the New Year last night. I really didn't think I was going to be able to do so. 2009 has to be better, right? 2009 will be the year my body is cancer free :)

This week has been OK so far. My side effects are slightly different than the first time. The taste didn't leave, but it's not coming back more, just stable right now, but I'm happy with stable. Although, I have no appetite or desire to eat, nothing looks appealing and I might be feeling slightly nauseated. Not much, just a slightly upset tummy. My major problem this time around would be the fatigue, my energy is ALL gone, much worst than last time.

Well well... I wanted to write an update, but I'm already getting tired, so I guess it will have to stop here! Resting and waiting for the fatigue to go away...

Happy New Year everyone :)