First, I realize how fortunate I am to have a illness that allows me the chance to continue making trips around the sun and I'm grateful less evasive treatment options exits.  Please don't ever think I am complaining, I'm just telling it like it is.........

Friday, March 8 2024:  

• Cinda and I got up bright and early and made our way to the Cancer Center. 
• The first step is to get labs drawn and wait for results to make sure you're a go for the infusion. 
• Glad I was in Chair 5 and Tammie is my infusion nurse.  She is super sweet, bubbly and always makes the day brighter. 
• Labs checked out and all counts are in normal range.  It's weird how freaking tired I am, but yet, my blood work always looks good.  
• Today's cocktail consists of Tylenol, and Benadryl straight into the superior vena cava (large vein above the right side of the heart).  Within a few minutes I start to get drowsy and loopy feeling.  Next comes the steroid (dexamethasone) and an IV drip.  Dexamethasone helps with inflammation and helps kill off the cancer.  It also makes me angry.   Amazing how one little shot can flip your personality in such a short time. 
• Once things get rolling they start the first of three bags of Rituxan.  
• In the past I fight sleeping, but today was different.  I was in and out most of the day and slept so hard I missed Tammy changing bag number 2.  My chemo neighbors did cross word puzzles all day.  Glad I was able to help them with "What letters does a cardinal wear on his cap?"  The answer:  STL (St. Louis Cardinals).  I put my headphones in an listened to music.  
• Cinda hung out and read and watched The Asher House video's most of the day.  The Asher House is a dog sanctuary in Oregon.  Lee Asher the owner quit his job, bought a large tract of land (I think 240 acres), and rescues 100's of animals.  He runs his operation all from donations.  If you haven't seen or heard of The Asher House you should check it on on FaceBook or TheAsherHouse.com.   There are some sad moments, but all in all feel good videos.  Plus he's kinda cute. 
• We arrived at 8:00am and finished at 2:30.   The first day always take a little longer as they slow down the infusion and check your heart rate multiple time to watch for possible allergic reactions.   Next time should go a little faster. 
• Cinda dropped me off, I walked downstairs, watched TV and slept most of the evening. 
• Dogs can sense things humans don't.  My granddog Jayde, has literally been attached to me since I got home.  I had some bags sitting next to me and she just crawled over them and laid on them to be close to me.  She keeps getting in my face and smelling my breath and laying on my chest.   She has not left my side for several hours.   
• I couldn't find my Poison shirt to wear today, kinda bummed, but will look for it for #2.

Saturday, March 9, 2024: 

• Slept in and had a uneventful day.  Had a little pep in my step and took sheets, blankets, towels, comforters to the laundry-mat to get them all done at once.   Swept, made beds, folded a few things.  The steroids give you a little energy. 
• As the day progressed starting to get tired as hell......... 
• I'm a cranky girl............real cranky.......don't look at me cranky.......
• Watched TV most of the day.  Unable to sleep because the steroids keep me awake.  My brain just hums every time I close my eyes.  Finally took some night night pills.  Slept for 7 hours. 
• Jimmy finally dumped Chelsea on Love is Blind.  I can't believe Clay didn't marry AD.  

Sunday, March 10, 2024

• Same as Saturday.  Nothing new.
• Can't sleep. Night Night Pills.  

Monday, March 11, 2024

• WTF just happened.  About 1:00pm I hit a wall.  I am so freaking tired I can barely function.  My little brain is confuzzled.   I barely made it through the rest of the work day.  Ate a little dinner, took some Tylenol PM and went to bed.  
• Jayde continues to be my protector and sleeps next to me or on me.  This girl does not leave my side. 

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

• I'm a new woman today!  I feel so much better, still a little tired, but overall feel pretty good.  Sometimes when you feel crappy, you don't realize how crappy you feel until you feel good again.  Still a little edgy, but turning the corner.  
• Starting to have some chemo brain moments.  My brain goes blank when trying to pull out simple words.  Hopefully, it won't get too bad.  
• I get shingles and have had them in the past multiple times.  They are stress induced.  I've had the shingle shot, so they are not sever, but the stress on my body is causing a small flare up.  

In other news, Karsen informed us last week she rescued two cats, Archibald and Fitzgerald, Archie and Fitz for short.  Can't wait to meet them.  She will be home this week, but leaving them at her house with a friend as they continue to get acclimated to their new environment.  They have bounced around from shelter to shelter and not trusting yet of their new home.  Grammie will have to go for a visit soon.

If you haven't watch Hunter Killer with Gerard Butler its a good watch.    The Gentlemen on Netflix was ok.   Can't believe I started Season 1 of Love is Blind, but here we are.  The Damsel is a little out there, but it was ok.  White Chicks is always a favorite and watch it every time I get the chance.    I hope Bryan Kohberger gets the electric chair for the Idaho College Murders.   How in the hell can they push off the trial until summer of 2025? 

I love the month of March.  It's my birthday month, the weather starts to warm up, the flowers start to bloom, and the sun is shining.  Best of all, its sweatshirt, shorts and flip flop weather.

Wishing everyone a great week! 

PS... The pics attached:  How the day starts, mid-day, how the day ends.  Plus my new grandkitties.   For the Record:  This shit is hard on a girls complexion and yes, my airplane pillow is back.  I have an unhealthy attachment to it.