Making Mandalas and Making Memories
Sitting at chemo in a chair by the window! The weather has cooled down to the 80s, and I’m in a long cardigan because it’s freezing in the room, under the vents, and I’m drinking a mocha, so it kind of feels like fall. At least it feels like fall is coming. I’m dressed casually and comfortably, which is different for me, but I am quite comfortable at chemo today. I’m feeling good. And I’m going to enjoy it today because I get my Zometa infusion along with chemo and immuno, and I’m probably going to be under the weather for the next few days. I am glad it’s today, though, because I’ll be going home to MN for my friend’s service after my next chemo, and I don’t want to feel bad while I am there. I had to change my chemo from Wed. to Mon. before I leave, so I’m hoping to feel better by the weekend there. I did not feel good at all, very nauseated for a few days after chemo the last time I had it. That’s rare for me. I don’t know what was going on last time?? I’m going to load up on Advil and Claritin the next few days so that hopefully the Zometa effects won’t be too bad this time. I have plans in D.C. this weekend that I’ve been looking forward to, so I’m hoping to feel good this weekend?? 🙏🙏
My port has not been returning blood the past four times at chemo despite the port study finding that it is working just fine. Crazy! But my nurse today must have the magic touch because she got the blood flowing, slowly but surely.
I have been seeing a lot of information in the news on the triple negative breast cancer vaccine that is in trial phase right now and should be available in the next five years. I now have my next point in time to aim for – five years! If I die before this vaccine comes out, and I’m so close, I’m going to be pretty ticked off! 🤣 Actually, I don’t even know if it works for metastatic cancer, but I’m thinking that if I don’t have triple negative cancer right now since I’m in remission, maybe the vaccine would prevent, at least, triple negative cancer from coming back?? I know that metastatic cancer can morph into different types, and my cancer may not be triple negative anymore if and when it comes back, but at least the vaccine might prevent the triple negative cancer from coming back?? I know that other types of breast cancer morph into triple negative cancer, but can triple negative cancer morph into other types? I’m not even sure. Lots of questions for my oncologist. In any case, the vaccine is exciting for the field, and I’ll just be happy if one life is saved from triple negative cancer because of it. Triple negative is an aggressive cancer that is affecting more and more young people, people who have young kids and want to be there to see and help them grow up.
I had to change my doctor appt. with my oncologist tomorrow due to a conflicting appt., a hair appt. I have already rescheduled twice, and you know from my other posts how important hair is! 🤣 Anyway, I couldn’t get in for another month, so setting up my next scan will be postponed another month. My last scan was in May, and they should be every three months with metastatic cancer, but I think we’re pushing them back a bit since my scans have been clear. In any case, I’m fine with waiting because I’m not having any symptoms, and I’m just focusing on the positive and living one day at a time until I jave something to worry about. And today, I don’t. Tomorrow? Let’s just hope I survive the dreaded Zometa again! 🫣🙏🙄
Will write again in two weeks – on Monday instead of Wednesday this time! Will be a different crowd at chemo. The Monday crowd.
Oh, and I posted this quote along with some pictures of my terrible artistic abilities again! I took a mandala painting workshop this past week at the Wellness House. And, it’s not about the art; it’s about the process! I loved it because it took me to a place, much like the beach or the mountains or under the stars, that reminds me how small my problems are. My instructor told us that the monks would spend hours making large, beautiful mandalas on the ground in colored sand, and when they were finished, they would let the waves wash them away. Very deep thoughts there! And I’ll leave you to ponder those!
Stay safe and healthy, everyone!