The score so far:
Chemo 0
Team Amy123 5
One day later than scheduled due to the Christmas holidays, Chemo #6 is this afternoon. I’m feeling great, even after doing some baking, shopping for and cooking two Christmas dinners, climbing a hill yesterday, and doing some housework. Admittedly, there were lots of rests in between, but we got there.
So we’re still winning to nil, although there was a time during this past cycle when I thought I would concede this one to Chemo, again due to struggling to find any pleasure in food and scratching around for something other than porridge, fruit and ice cream, only to have to put it in the bin. This really hits me hard. Thankfully, this only lasted most of the first two weeks and hurray! I was able to enjoy a few meals this past week AND my two Christmas dinners with all the trimmings (except the Yorkshire puddings). I look forward to this meal all year so I’m a happy bunny.
After today there’s just one more cycle to go so we’re almost at the last hurdle then on the home straight for this part of my treatment! Overall #5 was better than #4, so I’m hoping #6 and #7 will be better still. With that hope, I am feeling positive and calm about today and the next few weeks, even if I am expecting the food issues to continue or possibly be worse. The other negative side-effects this time were minimal and totally manageable with, to my mind, a combo of daily exercise, adequate rest, meds and FFF (Faith, Family, Friends).
One member of said family who lives in the US had an idea after reading in one of my previous posts that I was going to paint my fingernails black as this can help prevent them flaking and/or falling off by protecting them from UV light. She suggested to other family members that they could show their support for me by also painting their fingernails. How sweet is that? It was heart-warming to see so many of them join in. Thank you so, so much, CLB and everyone who played the game! And I know that those of you who didn’t are still praying and supporting me, so thank you to you, too. Here are some photos:
And here are mine, before and after:
1 in 2 people in the UK born after 1960 will be diagnosed with some form of cancer during their lifetime. Age-specific incidence rates rise steeply from around age 55-59. The highest rates are in the 85 to 89 age group for females and males (from Cancer Research UK). The 10-year survival rate is 50%, and 38% of cancers are preventable. Whether you have cancer or not, I think it makes sense to eat well, exercise regularly, know what’s normal for you, and listen to your body and instinct, and if something doesn’t seem right, get it checked immediately. Disclaimer: I am not a healthcare or exercise professional. You should follow your medical team's advice and recommendations.
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/obesity/physical-activity-fact-sheet
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/cancer-symptoms/how-do-i-check-for-cancer
https://breastcancernow.org/information-support/touch-look-check
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics-for-the-uk
Thank you for all the messages received since my last post, outdoor rendezvous, your Christmas cards and letters, thoughtful gifts, and prayers. I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas with your loved ones and I pray that 2023 will be a year of joy, peace, happy memories, and good health, especially if you are reading this as a fellow cancer patient.
God bless and big love to you all xx
