First of all let me say that the cold I caught last weekend has been a big challenge. I know this is an indication of how overworked my immune system must be. For several days I have been extremely fatigued - very much like a chemo fatigue. I have also had shortness of breath which probably contributed to the fatigue. Thankfully the antibiotic has finally kicked in and even though my energy is still low it is greatly improved as is my breathing.
For those of you who followed my first journey you may remember that I found the fatigue one of my greatest challenges. I'm honestly not sure if all the fatigue can be attributed to the cold; some portion of it is due to the cancer. Besides unexpected tears and chemo-like brain fog at times, the fatigue has produced a longing to begin the chemo.
I find with Round Two that I am far less afraid and have far greater peace of mind. Mentally and emotionally I am as prepared as one probably can be and today I feel that physically I am just about as prepared.
Today is a bit of a busy day starting with great amounts of blood drawn while eating a granola bar at 8:45 this morning. Unfortunately the veins in my right arm did not cooperate and since only the right arm can be used due to lymph node removal of 2006 this meant more than one "poke" and some bruising. Eventually the tech found a vein in my right hand but it was slow going. Maybe someday I will learn the lesson, "Stop and take me to a nurse who can use the port for the draw." But the tech was so sweet and all the poking was pain free so I allowed her to continue - perhaps she could learn from my experience and it could help someone who would not have the option of using a port.
After the lab I had a chest x-ray and then I moved on to Nuclear Medicine where I received the injection needed for the bone scan. I am at home now drinking a lot of water to move the injected material through my body in order to produce a good scan. Following the scan I have an EKG and then chemo orientation.
It's a busy day but thankfully I am up for it.
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