Three down....

The human body is an amazing piece of machinery. It can get used to almost anything. Well, maybe not. At least, not this chemotherapy.

In the beginning I thought one could get into a routine of one week feeling sick, then a week recovering and a week of feeling well. And I thought I could live with that. Forget it. It doesn't work that way.

The day of this last atrocity was a really hot one. The hottest this so called summer, which has been a great disappointment so far. We had to put the gas heater on a few days ago, it was so cold. But, as usual, I digress.

To make the inevitable as comfortable as possible, I decked myself out in my African kaftan best and strode off to the hospital with great confidence. The first appointment was with Angela, the counsellor, who assured me that the recurring 'blue day' the day before the chemo is absolutely normal and everyone goes through it. 'It's the fear and anticipation of being ill', she explained.

Next, I was good, I remembered to have the blood test and to take the antinauseant on time. The Professor said my blood looked good. He wasn't happy about having an operation between the chemo and radiation, so that scenario has been shot down two to one. I must say, I don't fancy it much myself, but then I am no expert, so I guess I won't count that vote until I see the plastic and reconstruction surgeon in January.

I had to wait two hours to see the Prof, so the chemo was started just about the time when June came to pick me up, which is why she found me in good spirits and could take the picture above. Two hours later, the picture would have been quite different. My eyes felt as if they were going to bulge out of their sockets, it was difficult to stand up straight and I could barely waddle to a cab in the oppressive heat. Thank God I had the foresight to wear a loose garment! Thank you June for coming down from Queensland to look after me!

Things were barely tolerable the first and second day, but June was there to take the slack and fuss over me, and I could even entertain some visitors. But Sunday and Monday are a blurr of sleeping, peeing and drinking gallons of water. One of the most hideous aspects of the whole thing is the focus on body function, and a heightened sense of smell thereof, which lasts over a week for me.

Today is actually Wednesday. I started this blog yesterday, but was too tired to finish. Today was a bad day and the weather didn't help at all. It's the cold southerlies that make me sick with my 'episodes' and this morning I had a full blown one right in my doctor's office, while I was waiting to get some documentation for the sickness benefit. It was just too much. It's bad enough to feel sick all the time and have no energy at all, but to have the 'episode' monster on top if it, is unbearable. I fell apart right there and then and the good doctor revived me with a very good cup of tea.

I guess it was lucky it happened when the doctor could observe the weirdness of these 'episodes', which I can only describe as a reverse fever. The strangest part of it is that when it's over, I snap back into my normal energy level almost immediately, as if nothing has ever happened.

Well, this time it was not as fast, but as I said before, the human body is amazing. As the day wore on my energy level slowly returned. I didn't have to take as many antinausea pills, and it's after midnight now and I have the energy to finish this blog. I am keeping fingers and toes crossed that tomorrow will be a better day.

By the way, let me wish all my friends, as well as those I don't know who read this blog, Happy Channukah and Merry Christmas.