The Clock on the Wall has been Stuck at Three for Days

More Hairloss and More Celebrations

Concerts and Chemo

May 5th through 8th

Meeting the Schnackys and friends.  Sandy invited me to go along to a concert with her on Thursday night.  I didn't know much other than they were a group of kids who are big on TikTok, had great christian values and sang country style songs.  She had meet and greet tickets, so we got there early to be able to talk to each of them before the concert.  She had a blast meeting and talking to each and everyone of them.  I didn't know much, so it wasn't like I was going to interact a lot, so I took on the role of photographer.  By the end of the night, I was a fan.  It was a very small venue, so you felt like you were part of the show.  The music and light show was great.  We had so much fun at the Old Rock House.  If you haven't been there, you should check it out!

Chemo Day 5 went off without a hitch.  Nikisha, my infustion nurse, just knows I like the private room, so we headed back and were hooked up in record time.  My friend Amber was my sidekick for the day.  This infusion went so fast!  I think we were out the door by 12:30pm.  Mind you, these are supposed to be six hour sessions.  I only get the Keytruda every so many weeks, so not having to wait for that bag of medicine does make a difference.  My veins must also be well-flowing veins!  We chatted, I napped and we even did a little work talk to pass the time.

Since we were done early, we decided on a nice lunch at Krabby Daddy's.  I hadn't had crab legs in so long and they hit the spot after treatment.

Kenny Chesney

May 7th

Sandy had an extra ticket to the Kenny Chesney concert on Saturday night.  I was more than happy to go!  We started the night at Twisted Ranch and let me tell you, I had no idea you can get ranch in so many different flavors!  It was great!  

Now, I have never been a HUGE country fan, I kind of pride myself in liking many different forms of music.  But, Kenny is another story.  I had to look it up, but it was almost 20 years ago that I saw him in concert for his No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem tour.  It was in Cape Girardeau at the Show-Me center.  I went with a group of friends and co-workers.  At that point in my life, I haden't been to many concerts at all.  I remember watching the energy this young guy had on that stage.  He was just running around and putting on a really good show.  It was nice to see he hasn't changes much!  The show was great!

Mother's Day

May 8th

Mother's Day was very low key.  We went down to the farm for a few hours.  Robert likes to do some prep before we camp on Memorial Day weekend.  The hope was to get the grass mowed around the lake and do a few other things around the campsite.  Well, the lawn mower decided it didn't want to do that, so we fished and just enjoyed a little time in the sun.  Josie came by to give me my present.  She nailed it!  Who wants to come play with me?

I probably overdid it those last few days.  I think too much sun was the real culprit.  The next few days were not the best.  When I say "not the best," please don't worry, I just had to pay attention to what my body was telling me to do, and that was to rest.  I took Monday off of work and by Wednesday, I was feeling back to normal.

Chemo Day 6

May 13th (Friday)

Well, for all you superstitious people out there, this Friday the 13th treament did NOT go off without a hitch.  For the first time in the 6 weeks of treatment, my port did not want to cooperate. She connected and there was no blood return.  My brain went into panic mode.  This had all went so perfectly the last 5 weeks, why would something go wrong today.  She tried again and still nothing.  They went ahead and drew blood for my labs from my arm and then put a medication in my port to help break up any blockage.  It was about now that they reassured me this was fairly normal. Phew...It took about 45 minutes, but the line was cleared and my labs were back, so we could continue.  At first, I wasn't going to get a private room, but since it took a little longer to get started, we were able to move once the first patient was done.  Robert was with me and just like last week, we were done in record time!

Hairloss

This week has brought on a lot of "shedding."  Honestly, I should have probably just shaved it off, but I am holding on strong till the last second.  By about Tuesday, I started to panic.  We were going to a wedding on Saturday, and I really hoped it would hold off just a bit longer.  I urgently ordered some head wraps on Amazon in hopes they would be here in case I needed them by the end of the week.  It all worked out and now I finally have some wraps on hand.  They are all a peachy color to match the dress I probably won't wear again for a while, but at least I have something.  

Saturday, May 14th was the wedding.  It was a beautiful ceremony and reception.  We had a great time with our friends, Marc and Denise.  It was so fun to be a part of watching their son get married.  We stayed until I was just getting too tired and headed home.  On Sunday, Robert went back to the farm to work around our campsites.  I decided to stay home this time so I didn't regret it like last week.  I was hoping to play in the craft room all day, but I was just too tired.  I think it was because I finally tried some melatonin to help me sleep the night before and my body just wanted to keep resting all day on Sunday.

I finally made an appointment for the following week with the wig shop in South County.  (I know, I know...my procrastinator was still showing.)

Wig Shopping

May 17th (Tuesday)

On Tuesday, Sandy and I headed to the wig shop (I don't know what else to call this place.)  It was the most painless process of this whole thing.  I picked a length and then a color.  I will always second guess everything, but at least it is done.  We were only there for about 20 minutes and the ladies were super nice and very helpful.  She said she would call in a couple of days once it was recieved. (So, I might have it by Friday!)  We don't have a lot going on this weekend, but we do have a graduation celebration for Melissa on Sunday, so that might be the first place I get to wear it.

Oncologist

May 18th (Wednesday)

I met with DH today.  He is very happy with how everything is going.  He noted that he can't even feel the lymph node at all.  I will see him again in three weeks.  He did mention he might get an ultrasound scheduled at our next appointment.  I will see the nurse practitioner again in next week.  So, just keep doing what I am doing and hopefully everything just stays positive. 

Each cycle is a three-week session.  I just completed the second cycle last week.  I think I have said it before, but most people get a week break between each cycle, but I do not.  So, my cycles start one right after the other with no break during this first three month plan.  Friday will be the start of the third cycle.

A few things to note: 

• We are through six weeks of the weekly chemo treatments.  That means we are half way through the first three months.  And a quarter of the way through the six month plan.
• I have an appointment with my regular doctor next week.  It will be the last time I see her, as she is retiring next month.  Now, I need to pick a new general doctor.  Luckily, there are a couple of good ones in the same building she is in, so it should be an easy transition.
• I feel so relieved to have finally started dealing with the wig process.
• I am still doing well.  Tired, but good.
• Since I have not been sleeping well, about 3am is a normally restless time.  I pulled up the Matchbox 20 song and learned how it was written for Rob Thomas' mom who fought cancer when he was younger. The relevency hit hard.  Enjoy this acoustic, slower version of the song:

Thank you for being a great support system!

Ricki