Journey With Sam

I am happy to write that not much has changed over the last two weeks. I am currently sitting in treatment #7 of week 15 with blood counts still good and side effects still limited.

I am so over coronavirus hysteria, as I am sure you are too. I talked to a doctor last week (not one I had seen before) and asked about my immuno compromised body. The great news is my blood counts look good so I am compromised, but not a lot. She did recommend no flights until chemo is done. Thankfully I wasn’t planning travel until after chemo is done anyway. I am also over CV because the travel industry is taking a beating. Not helpful that it is happening right as spring break starts. Lots of time on the phone with Disney and cruise lines to take care of people’s vacations. If it were not for chemo, I would be jetting off somewhere to take advantage of the low costs if I could.

Side effects are starting to ramp up over the last week. I was told week 8 of Taxol treatments is when my body will start to get tired and have a worse response to the drugs. Week 8 is next week so we shall see how my body handles things. My fatigue has ramped up over the last week or so and my bloody noses are definitely getting worse. So much fun to wake up with high pressure in my nose and go through about 15 tissues to get the blood out. Still no complaints though…I am still able to run, work, and do everything else I want to. Hoping that continues.

Highlights from the last two weeks:

• Still getting in plenty of runs (up to running 4 minutes and walking 1 min). I am struggling through these more than I was before but I am still getting it done.

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• Boulder International Film Festival! This was so much fun and I highly recommend seeing Dog Doc if you get a chance. Lots of tears (happy and sad). Also got to see Disney’s two virtual reality shorts (Cycles and Myth). I was able to listen toe the producer and virtual reality lead on how they developed them. So fun…will go to way more of the film festival next year.
• Hiking! I struggle with anything with an incline but hiking is still wonderful on a 60 degree day in March.
• Jackhammering the basement! It was my first time using a concrete breaker and it was fun. I was exhausted but it felt great. (My arms/back are not as happy about it today)

I have been very irritable over the last week too. I don’t quite know what to blame for this. Work has been interesting with a change in boss and focus, I have more exhaustion than normal, dealing with travel plans (personal and client) with coronavirus, car troubles (yay suspension problems), and more are likely contributing. I am trying to stay positive as I think they helps with treatments, but sometimes I just get annoyed.

In about 20 minutes I only have 5 treatments left, so there is plenty to celebrate and stay positive about. I will join the countdown for Easter as the day after is my last treatment! As always, thanks for the support!