Journal entry by Mellen Donnelly —
Chemo is halfway over. Phew. It is no picnic but having done the first two rounds without major complications I kind of know what to expect. Kind of. My body is angry and the drugs don’t fight fair. Bone pain is intense at times and sleep and I have a complicated relationship. Lots of things sound great but taste awful including, at times, coffee. Eeek.
My surgical scars are slowly healing. They don’t like chemo either. I definitely feel like I woke up in an alien’s body.
I am so grateful for my tribe. Some I have known for decades and some I just met. Jennifer and Kim have been sending snail mail regularly with and I’m like a kiddo at camp waiting g for mail. Love it. I also have “chemo angel” mail each week—little uplifting notes or cards from volunteers!
My pups are at my side as much as possible though our daily walks are curtailed right now. Thank you to everyone who’s pitched in to get them the exercise they need.
Evan and Manna are the best partners I could ask for. Each round they switch off being with me either at SCCA or at home. They were there when the beautiful blue mermaid hair started falling out and they shaved my head. I am surrounded by love and that makes all the difference in the world.
Today I feel hopeful for 2022.
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