I have been so thankful this week for several things.
- First week of Taxol went really well. I felt pretty good all week besides fatigue. I was able to go to work every day, although chemo brain seemed to kick in big time on Thursday. It is weird when you just can’t come up with a train of thought that makes sense and you forget random words. If that is the worst that happens during Taxol treatments, I can handle it.
I loved my PAs description of my treatments so far. Basically the first four AC treatments hit cancer with a bludgeon and shrank it drastically. Now the Taxol is the sword that comes into take care of the smaller piece. - My taste buds seem to have come back! I didn’t have to force down food this week just to get nutrients. I enjoyed eating this week and had no limitations. I have enjoyed pastries and sugar and it is glorious! I even had a small cider today and enjoyed it. Hoping this sticks around because I really do enjoy eating (and I miss enjoying cake and cookies).
- Support from my friends and family has been just incredible. I appreciate everyone’s thoughts and messages. And the incredible amount of donations given to fight cancer!
I joined the American Cancer Society team on January 27 for the Disney Food and Wine half marathon in November. I needed to raise $1000 for the team. I posted my efforts to raise money on Facebook and couldn’t believe the incredible support from everyone. Thanks to you all, I have raised over $3500 already and therefore my new goal is now $5000! If you would like to donate to fight against cancer and support our team (currently myself and 2 friends), please visit either of these links: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/sammader or https://www.facebook.com/donate/893321251097840/10215108354050433/
I will also be donating 10% of all of my commissions between now and the end of October to the team. This disease is personal to me, but I also know so many wonderful people who have had to take on this horrible fight. Some are continuing to take on the never ending battle and sadly some have lost their battle and I am always thinking of them. I am raising money so no one has to say goodbye to their loved ones due to this disease. Cancer doesn’t care who you are and it isn’t fair, but we can continue to strive to increase research and determine new ways to take down the disease. - This one takes me more work to be thankful for, but I am trying. I am still able to “run.” Running has been an important part of my life the last few years. It is where I meet with friends. It is where I can blow off steam. It is where I can enjoy a beautiful day. It is where I can exhaust my dog. I used to hate running. It was punishment in volleyball and basketball. Then it was just a way to finish a triathlon. Now I depend on running. I can lose myself during the miles and just enjoy life.
So I can’t really run how I used to. I got excited last weekend when I knocked out 4 miles with limited walking during my non-treatment week. Thursday’s Shoes & Brews run and today’s 5 mile training run didn’t go as well; however, I got them done. Breathing is difficult for me when running so I can’t do it for long. It is hard to go from a 10 minute miler to at 14:30 minute miler, but I am getting the miles in. Exercise helps during treatments so I will keep doing it. I plan on doing a 10k next week with my friends so hopefully it goes well. - Finally, I am so thankful for the beautiful weekend! It was in the 60s and 70s this weekend so I spent as much time outside as possible. Callie also enjoyed it immensely. Now we are supposed to get 6-10 inches of snow tomorrow. Gotta love crazy Colorado weather.
