I completed chemo and radiation therapy on Tuesday and I am finally (Sunday) emerging from the fog created by dexamethasone, a steroid often used with chemo to combat cancer cells and to control nausea. There’s a flip side to this “wonder” drug — it has a list of side-effects as long as your arm, not the least of which is depression. Just what I need, right? Cut me some slack, Jack!!! On my last day of chemo I got the “Dex” along with Zoloft, an anti-depressant (that should be a clue). For the last 4-5 days, I felt like a nut. Whew! I sure am glad that’s behind me.
Now, we move on to Phase 2 — surgery. On September 25 the upper left lobe of my left lung will be removed. Before then, Nurse Susan and I will enjoy a long weekend at Lake Tahoe with the family. The week before my surgery, the two of us will sneak off to the Ventana Inn at Big Sur for a couple of days. We are holding off on Hawaii until my recovery is well underway.
Many of you have requested a “nose hair” update. Sadly I must report that those pesky nose hairs continue to occupy my daily hygiene. That is becoming less of an issue with my head hair, however. A member of my cancer support group said she knew it was time to shave her head when her hair “looked like a foreclosure lawn.” I wasn’t sure what that meant exactly until recently. Now I know so next week I will have my barber, Carl, give me the “buzz” cut.
Have a fun week everybody and thanks for your thoughts and support.
Yahoo! We are so very happy that you progressed thru step one so beautifully! Congrats!!! Now the hair thing — we will be twins about 3 months apart. Most of my hair has grown back after I had it shaved post skin cancer surgery. The part that didn’t grow back immediately is being treated with — you guessed it– Rogaine for men! Even tho I’m a girl!!! We wish you the best on vacation and pre surgery, surgery and post surgery. Don’t let the turkeys get you down. You are GREAT! Hugs, Jan and Jim