Session 7 / It's Friday

So, I chickened out and cancelled my appointment to have my head shaved. Go figure. I was talking with my hair stylist and some other friends and family and got a new perspective. I have decided that it's best to take advantage of wearing my cute hats for as long as I can. When it comes to a point that I can no longer wear the hats because my hair is just - well - too thin, then I will shave it off. I'm hoping to hang in there at least until the new year.

That is all for now. I survived another chemo week and now get to enjoy being normal for the next 10 days before I go in for another round of fun!

Hope everyone has a nice weekend. Happy Birthday to my sister, Caroline, on Monday. I really don't know what I would do without her. She is my other half and I love her so much! So, I hope that she has a wonderful birthday....

Session 7 / Day 4

I have not fulfilled my blogging duties that well this week. I feel as if I've been slacking, so I apologize! All is well though and I am feeling a lot better. I was explaining to my sister this morning that chemo has a mind of it's own. It can sneak up on you at any given point and just knock you down hard. So, even when you are feeling really well, it's hard to get excited because you don't know what is ahead of you. That's why it's so important to stay well nourished during chemotherapy to help alleviate the nasty side effects! I am actually having a good day though, about 75% back to normal. I'm still taking my anti-nausea pills, but I always do that for the first 4 days after, no matter how good I feel. Being nauseous SUCKS. It's like your body can't decide if it wants to vomit or not. Sorry, a bit graphic description..but that's how it feels. :)

Hair update: I'm in a debate on whether or not to just shave my head. I know, wow, totally caught everyone off guard probably. So, hair's the deal...haha was that not funny? Okay, anyways, back on track...I still have quite a bit of hair on my head, BUT I am more concerned with the regrowth situation when I am finished with chemo. If I don't shave my head, it may grow back in uneven and I may look kind of weird. Also, I don't know the texture the hair will grow back as. Some people have completely different textured hair after chemo. So, whether it be now or in 2 months when I'm done, I think it's in my best interest to shave it. Yes, of course I am freaking out, but if the worst thing in this cancer madness is hair loss - so be it. I am a little nervous my hair won't grow back for some strange reason, mostly because I am paranoid 24 hours a day about everything! I have an appointment tomorrow to have my head shaved, but we'll see if I actually go through with it. I'll keep everyone posted!!

Send me good thoughts. Also, the guy from Survivor, Ethan Zohn, I have mentioned him a few times in my previous posts. His cancer is in remission finally! He definitely has gone through intensive chemotherapy and radiation and will undergo a stem cell transplant, BUT it's wonderful news his cancer is in remission. Like me, he received a negative PET scan. (the term negative is used in a positive connotation when referring to PET scans, just FYI). YAY for Ethan! Check out People.com for his video that he posted.

Session 7 / Day 3

So, it's day 3, usually the day I hate most...BUT surprisingly day 1 is the winner for the worst day of this cycle so far. I actually am feeling better in comparison to how rough day 1 was. Ugh. I am still taking it easy and just watching movies...I haven't been in the mood to talk on the phone much this week. It seems as if that requires more energy than I am desiring to use right now. So, sorry friends if you have been attempting to contact me.

Not much else new today to report...I feel actually quite boring! :) Hey, boring is the new black. haha

Session 7 / Day 1 & 2

So yesterday was not fun at all and completely caught me off guard. Right after chemo, I immediately wasn't feeling well, which is weird because they give me some pretty good anti-nausea drugs through my IV. The car ride home from chemo, I just was feeling really nauseated. I got home, forced myself to eat some lunch and then tried to take a bath. While I was sitting in the bathtub, I felt like I was going to physically get sick. I was so confused as to why I felt this way on the day of chemo. My dad called the doctor and explained how I was feeling and apparently he is going to change the dosage next time. I was able to take one of my other nausea pills yesterday and it helped, but I just tried to sleep it off as much as I possibly could. Today, I am feeling a tiny bit better, but just trying to take it really slow. I've got my sidekick sitting next to me all day, Lucie. She is my little beagle. :)

Anyways, other than chemo ruining my day yesterday in more ways than one, I'll share some information that the doctor gave me. I told him how I was suffering from severe paranoia about my lymph nodes always being swollen and he assured me that he couldn't feel anything swollen on any part of my body. He told me that he attended a conference last week and they had stated in early stages of Hodgkin's Disease, the probability of it reoccurring is very low. And he told me instead of making myself crazy everytime I think I have a swollen lymph node to just come in and see him. Oh and last week when I had to go in to have my blood drawn, the doctor had thought my bone marrow was starting to function again on its own and I probably wouldn't need the Neupogen anymore to boost up my white count. But yesterday, I had dropped back down pretty significantly, so he thinks my bone marrow is a bit tired. And instead of risking the chance of my white count dropping so low that I would have to reschedule chemo, I am just going to be proactive and get the 3 injections this week. I'm on a tight chemo schedule and must be done by February 22nd!!

Basically, I just need to get through the next 5 sessions and then give my best attempt to move on with my life, but not forgetting what this cancer experience has taught me.

Please pray that I get through this week...

It's been a while...

I feel like I haven't blogged in weeks, even though it's only been about 9 days - if I am adding correctly. My brain seems to function a bit differently and I blame the chemo. I actually blame the chemo for everything. For example: "Lauren, do you want to go out tonight?" I reply, "No, I can't, I just got chemo." Another example, "Lauren, why don't you text or call me back?" I reply, "Oh, I went to sleep early because of the chemo, sorry." See, that's how it works - just blame the chemo! :) I've had a great week filled with working and spending time with my friends. I went ice skating on Friday night and had so much fun! I was also successful at finishing all of my Christmas shopping! Tomorrow is the start of cycle #4 and treatment #7. This means, I have 2 cycles left, which is a total of 5 more treatments. WOO-HOO! Go ahead, say it out loud...I just did.

I shall keep everyone posted this week on how I'm feeling. Send me strength and good thoughts. Also, please send all my friends going through this good thoughts too. I've met some wonderful people along this journey that deserve some prayers too. :)