After a week of almost debilitating nausea and fatigue, the past weekend was a blessed and refreshing time for seeing friends and relaxing. For this round of chemo, it wasn't the chemo that took me down as much as the IV bone strengthening treatment. Sleepy and nauseous and panic attacks, oh my!
The latter was the strange one. Perfectly asleep and dreaming good dreams then awake and panicking for no reason. Had to grab hold of reason and tick down through a mental check list to make sure I was truly having a drug reaction:
1. Family OK? Check
2. Friends OK? Check
3. Finances OK? Check
4. Feel good? Plus minus but not terrible
5. Future plans? Check
Quick check on the medication side effects and there it was: "Can cause anxiety issues or panic attacks." Half glass of wine later, I'm back asleep.
Despite all of those events, I have spent every morning pushing myself to ride my bike in the cooler early AM and then working out to rebuild my strength. Top everything off with a good relaxing swim. Seems to be working.
Over the weekend, slept more than 12 hours a night and felt my energy really rebound. It was great to see Doug, Miso, Shawn, and even Mayor Tom Leppert at a Saturday event. Was just as exciting to see Tye, Patti, Patti's parents, and the kids on Sunday at their home where we enjoyed excellent grilled burgers and a phenomenal pool. We'll be doing more of that in the future for sure. Topped it all with a monster 4th of July stop at sushi buffet restaurant Osaka. I'm still feeling the effects of that meal today.
Today, I felt compelled to update the blog after receiving several more e-mails full of support and prayers for my and my family's well being. I cannot tell you how much those communications keep my spirits high. It heartens me to see and read that people can take time out of their busy, stressful, and hectic lives to offer encouragement to someone that some of the writers barely know. All provide the energy and positive thoughts I live on to strengthen my outlook.
One writer asked if that I would one day consider penning a book recounting all of my experiences and hopefully accumulated wisdom. I agreed that it would be something I would consider, but given that I have only been diagnosed since late April, I need to fully experience what I will experience over the next, hopefully, several years before I can provide a recounting of everything that needs to be written.
Until then, I will have to satisfy my urges to write with this blog. If I haven't put you to sleep already with my writing, have a peaceful night's rest.
The latter was the strange one. Perfectly asleep and dreaming good dreams then awake and panicking for no reason. Had to grab hold of reason and tick down through a mental check list to make sure I was truly having a drug reaction:
1. Family OK? Check
2. Friends OK? Check
3. Finances OK? Check
4. Feel good? Plus minus but not terrible
5. Future plans? Check
Quick check on the medication side effects and there it was: "Can cause anxiety issues or panic attacks." Half glass of wine later, I'm back asleep.
Despite all of those events, I have spent every morning pushing myself to ride my bike in the cooler early AM and then working out to rebuild my strength. Top everything off with a good relaxing swim. Seems to be working.
Over the weekend, slept more than 12 hours a night and felt my energy really rebound. It was great to see Doug, Miso, Shawn, and even Mayor Tom Leppert at a Saturday event. Was just as exciting to see Tye, Patti, Patti's parents, and the kids on Sunday at their home where we enjoyed excellent grilled burgers and a phenomenal pool. We'll be doing more of that in the future for sure. Topped it all with a monster 4th of July stop at sushi buffet restaurant Osaka. I'm still feeling the effects of that meal today.
Today, I felt compelled to update the blog after receiving several more e-mails full of support and prayers for my and my family's well being. I cannot tell you how much those communications keep my spirits high. It heartens me to see and read that people can take time out of their busy, stressful, and hectic lives to offer encouragement to someone that some of the writers barely know. All provide the energy and positive thoughts I live on to strengthen my outlook.
One writer asked if that I would one day consider penning a book recounting all of my experiences and hopefully accumulated wisdom. I agreed that it would be something I would consider, but given that I have only been diagnosed since late April, I need to fully experience what I will experience over the next, hopefully, several years before I can provide a recounting of everything that needs to be written.
Until then, I will have to satisfy my urges to write with this blog. If I haven't put you to sleep already with my writing, have a peaceful night's rest.
