Update on Carmel and Recovery from Chemo Thus Far

First, the Carmel weather - breathtakingly beautiful, blue skies, highs in the mid-60s, lows in the upper 40s.  Perfect walking/hiking weather.  Calm.  All the winds must, unfortunately, be in LA.  Sunsets every evening around 5:00pm.  It seems like entire town heads to the beach to watch; restaurants have "sunset specials" to try to lure people into them early.  No one's biting.


It's everything we wanted.  And if you know me, I want to do it all, now.  That's how it usually works but not on this trip.  My energy levels are still meh.  

So after the first full day of trying to do it all (8am sharp at Point Lobos for a hike - only 4 1/2 miles as opposed to my normal Point Lobos day of 6+ miles - AND golf at The Hay - a par 3, 9 hole course in Pebble which is super fun -  AND dinner out), it's time to call "uncle".  I slept 12 1/2 hours last night after a nap between activities yesterday.  I am tired and my body needs to heal.  I was planning to attend an early morning workout 3 mornings a week here and that will have to wait.  (I know - I'm shocked but it has to happen.) Sleep seems to be what I need.  Today was a short walk over to a Farmer's Market and then a lazy walk through town, admiring some galleries and shops here and there.  Rest in the early afternoon and then a little shopping over at Pebble Beach, early "dinner" at The Bench, and sunset at Carmel Beach.  It's 5:51pm; I'll be in bed by 7:00pm.  

I'm not healing from chemo as quickly as I thought I would.  My husband is thrilled that I'm finally taking recovery seriously.  Tomorrow we have a round of 18 and that's all I will do for the day (I have protein bars and we will be taking a cart).  

Additionally, I have some physical changes which are weird and disconcerting.  You know how you can tell someone's health by their fingernails?  Well, mine are all about to fall out.  They are bruised looking and red and lifted and weird.  I'd include a photo but no one wants to see that.  Ick.  My eyebrows are barely there and my eyelashes are falling out - I witnessed one do it the other day.  Totally freaked me out.  Nothing to do about that.  My MO did not approve of me getting microblading...yet.  Until then, eyebrow pencil. 

Some things are moving in the right direction. I'm an iced tea addict and during chemo, it did awful things to my stomach so I abstained completely.  I'm happily back on the iced tea train.  My nose is still running (and will be dripping for 10 more months - side effect of Herceptin) but it's not bleeding anymore!  Win.  I 'think' I have baby hairs growing on my head which kind of disguises the thinness on top of my head.  That is all thanks to CCG and her cold capping skills.  Thank you for saving my hair follicles. Not sure how one shows gratitude for that.

I have to keep reminding myself that I'm only 2 weeks and 2 days out from my final chemo and I felt lousy the entire week after.  I'm in CA and so grateful to be away and rest and take walks in the warm sun when I want.  And sleep - which is coming.  Time to change and get ready for bed.  xo J  

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