My Battle Plan
Had a good doctor appt. today, so I am feeling good at chemo today. We talked about having one more cycle, Cycle 6, that starts today and then dropping Chemo and just continuing with immunotherapy. There is no information beyond this study after Cycle 6, but my doctor said that patients can live years on immunotherapy alone. My blood work was good, just slightly anemic, and my symptoms are well-controlled, so everything is going well! I will meet with one of the doctors in four weeks, and then I will have a scan again in eight weeks. So, I am able to just live life and relax for the next eight weeks. My young doctor said to keep doing what I am doing, so more self-care, faith and positive vibes are the plan for the next eight weeks! I have even FINALLY started exercising again as of the first of the year, and it feels great! I am usually the type who has to go all-in at first — as fast, as far, as often as I can go, and then I get frustrated or burnt out, so I quit. So, this time I set a goal of going easy and just creating a habit by working out every day for 29 days. Well, that didn't work out. I had two skip two days in a week, so I got frustrated. But I got back on track by not quitting and just letting those two days go. There are going to be days I can’t fit in a workout, but I am going to try my best to make time every day that I can. Anyway, I don’t know if my doctors are going to want me to lose weight, but I am going to get back to a healthy weight to put my best fight forward. I have been REALLY tired this past week despite it having been my week off. I think I am catching up after all my visitors have gone. 😢 The only other symptom that I have developed is that my nails are hurting under the nail beds, and they are changing colors. The doctor said at its worst, I could lose my nails, and the thought of that grosses me out, so I am hoping it doesn't get worse. Right now the pain is bearable, just irritating. So, overall, doing very well! I am tired, but I am happy. I am just a little worried that I am getting into too much self-care lately! I am all about self-care lately! I am knitting, making gnomes, bible journaling, lettering, reading, writing and working on some photo albums. I was laughing at myself today because I have all these projects going that I want to finish before I die, and they all involve self-care. I am working self care full time! I feel a little guilty about it!! But I know it is important and good for me right now. Despite all of life’s stresses, I am feeling happy, hopeful and healthy right now, on this day, in this moment.