Chemotherapy side effects are the topic o’ the day. First, thank you so much for all the sweet thoughts and encouragement yesterday.  Gicela helped watch Boo most of the day out in the studio and I spent the day sleeping after I got back from chemo:

I only slept about 2 hours last night. My body was just wired and restless. I felt like every nerve in my legs and arms were going crazy. I ended up being able to sleep a little on the couch last night with my feet tucked tightly in the cushions and with a cool-feeling lightweight down comforter. And I was so itchy! I felt like Boo when she says that she “itches, but the itch keeps itching back!” I took three showers from last night until this morning trying to get rid of the “toxic” smell that I felt kept coming out of my pores. Even my pee smelled toxic. My joint and muscle pain went away this morning.

I DID remember to take the “take or die” drug this morning at 7am sharp and JUST took my 2nd dose a few minutes ago. The nurse’s scare tactics worked. Today’s chemo was only a few hours but my legs were so restless I couldn’t relax in the chair….I just sat leaning forward.  I can’t even remember what I got except for Etoposide which I lovingly refer to as the “hair loss drug” …..but I do know they gave me Benadryl with my pre-meds to stop the itching. It worked a little. I’m going to try to get scheduled to have a port put in my chest before next week’s chemo and blood draws because both my arms are so sore and tender now.

Boo is acting out today. While I slept and she was playing in the studio with Gicela….. she cut every thread from every machine…..which only makes more work for Gicela tomorrow. I haven’t felt well enough to make it to daily prayer circle at school with her the last few months and that was her reason for doing it…..I guess she thinks when I don’t take her to school I’m sitting around here sewing. I tried to explain to her that I am just resting when I don’t take her. My MIL is taking her to a movie tomorrow and my mother flies in on Friday for a few weeks so that will help tremendously.

My appetite has been really good this afternoon. I can’t lose anymore weight. My friend Mandy brought me Tabouli from Costco which has been my “go to” snack right now. Everything they do to me is only getting me closer to being better……and as I always say, at least it’s not Boo.

My HCG levels were a huge drop this week too: around 500….but I can’t remember the actual number. That’s progress!