I just finished Round 7 Chemo and it was a doozy. Just a quick recap… My chemo is in pill form… I take it for 5 days and after the 5 days, I’m sick in bed for 3 days. “Sick” can mean a variety of things including but not limited to: brain fog, extreme fatigue, nausea, and feeling like I want to peel the skin off my body. That last one is definitely my “favorite.” Zero stars. Would not recommend.

This month, the nausea was off the charts and so was the food aversion. No feeling of skin peeling this month. SCORE! The quote of the weekend was, “You’re not getting up from the table until you eat your eggs” said by one of my besties, Rachel. She made a fantastic breakfast. She knows me well so she knew to make tiny portions so she knew that the tiny portion of eggs was a reasonable request. I truly love being mothered by my besties. It’s one of the best ways they show love.

As I sat reflecting on this round of chemo, I was floored when I took time to actually think about all that it takes to “get through” those 3 bad days post chemo. For example, on Tuesday, I had 5 different caregivers. Yep, 5. We did what we had to in order to make schedules work!

During my 3 bad days post chemo, I do Acupuncture, massage, detox baths (preferably with bentonite clay), and take LOTS of naps. I do best with caregivers inside my home preparing small plate healthy snacks/meals for me every time I wake up from a nap. And of course, I need a caregiver inside my house to help with Ringo. Can’t forget the 4-legged prince. 🐾 When Ringo gets walked, I will occasionally tag along, depending on my energy level, but I go at a much slower pace. Thankfully Ringo insists on stopping so often that I can often catch up with him and whoever is walking him. 

I’m also incredibly grateful that The Pet Squad also comes to walk him, as was the case on Wednesday morning. So add them to the list of things to help me get through chemo. They’ve been with me since the beginning helping with Ringo. 

This post started as Round 7 Chemo Notes but turned into a Note of Gratitude. I didn’t plan it but I guess that’s what was meant to be. 

So let’s roll with it. 

Thank you: Candice, Rachel, Ana, Krista, Brad, Erin (for sharing pie with me) Collin (for comedic relief by insisting on changing clothes because your dad DARED to comment on them), Nancy (acupuncturist — she takes insurance!), Massage Envy, The Pet Squad (Sulayne), Camden (makes the best detox bath salts ever) 

Tracy for sending me flowers before chemo started!

And everyone who sent encouraging texts, funny memes, cute pics, etc. I love them all. I love to smile and laugh. It’s all very therapeutic and healing.