How Was It Being Off Chemo for a Week?

It was really fantastic.  The Friday after Thanksgiving the chemo haze started to lift.  I have a little increased energy and don't feel as 'druggy'.  The rash on my hands has subdued a little.  Neuropathy is making itself at home in my hands and I worry that I will be left with the pins and needles feeling forever.  

I did have a minor burning-from-the-inside-out reaction on Sunday night; that certainly seems odd considering it was more than 10 days out from my last chemo AND I am on Gabapentin which is meant to 'calm' my nervous system.  Maybe it flared up from exhaustion?  Who knows.  I will let my team know.  I am encouraged to know that I will start feeling better when I am done with chemo.  This break was a nice way to confirm it.

The trip was fabulous yet it wasn't as relaxing as I thought.  First, the fall and then the dozens of micro-decisions I had to make every day that I normally didn't make on this annual trip.  Is it too sunny (somedays yes, somedays no)?  Should I wear pants to the beach (yes)? When should I nap?  What is everyone doing today so I can maximize my time with everyone AND nap and get down time?  How am I feeling?  Should I golf or not (somedays yes, somedays no)?  It was a little exhausting; not as effortless like it normally is.

Travel day home was actually good (feeling-wise - we had some logistical bumps in the road along the way, I felt fine the entire day) and I had a pretty normal day at home today. I hope my blood counts have rebounded for the last stretch. 

I am having a lot of feelings about this last stretch.  I am dreading heading back into chemo land and at the same time, excited that this is the final push (knock wood).  In 20 days, 12/4 to 12/24, I will have my final 4 chemo treatments.  That's a lot of chemo in a short amount of time.  Yes, I've done that and can do it again.  

In the realm of something I thought I'd never do, I had a call with a women who owns a crystal shop in Santa Barbara, California.  My friend, Long Day Lunch Friend, has been wearing her crystal bracelets for years.  Anyway, after the fall, I knew I needed to do something to change my luck and/or energy.  I got the name of the shop from LDLF and called the owner.  After sharing what was going on in my life, we chose six bracelets, black tourmaline for protection, blue goldstone for health (obvi), adventurine for luck (again obvi), citrine for success (but more about increasing your joy), garnet for inspiration (again, a little more luck), and hematite for balance (no explanation needed).  They arrived today and I'm wearing the ones I think I need for the day.  Luck is on for sure.  It's been a good day today!   Am I feeling an energy shift?  Maybe. Hope so.

Armed with my new bracelets (pun totally intended), I'm ready for this final push.  8am Wednesday.  Can't wait.  Let's get this done.  xo J 

 

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