Updates on Various in These Foolish Things

The Cyclist: So far, this guy seems like what I’ve been looking for. He’s attentive, sending little texts throughout the day (some people don’t like that, but I love the little check-ins), MADE A PLAN and made reservations for dinner on Friday, and knows that there’s something medically going on with me, but doesn’t yet know the whole deal, and still wants to go out with me. One thing I’m uncertain about are his political beliefs and I think he might lean a lot more right than I, but I’m sure that will come out in the wash as we reveal more of ourselves - possibly tomorrow evening. But I have such good feelings about this guy that I actually asked the nurse practitioner at chemo yesterday if it was okay to kiss someone right after getting infused. She told me it was ok…but went all the way to “intercourse” telling me to use protection! I wasn’t even thinking that far ahead (!!!) - I’m literally thinking about the making out stage. Guess what, people? It’s okay to make out with a cancer patient!

The 6th Chemo Infusion: Went well yesterday, but left me feeling kind of funky. Yes, I know that chemo will do that to you, but I actually felt drunk by the time I left the infusion center. So, let’s back up just a little. I was concerned about this one because my blood platelets had been low last time so I couldn’t get the oxaliplatin (the ass-kicking part of this chemo), but platelets were back up and ready to roll this time, yay! So I got the full infusion and included the icing protocol, which is awful to have to do - two and a half hours sitting there with ice on my hands and feet and inside my mouth. But it’s oh so worth it to not have the side-effects. Anyway, got the Triple Threat this time (all three chemo drugs), even sat next to my buddy Sam, but about an hour into the 2.5 hour infusion, I got super anxious so I turned on music on my earbuds and started rocking out to the music of my youth (Queen, Journey, REM, Foreigner…) and was swaying in the infusion chair and I know I looked like a freak, but it was just about the only way I could push through the infusion. When it was all done and I was hooked up to Foxy (the chemo ball I take home for 48 hours), I left, still feeling drunk and woozy. Not enough to not be able to drive, but enough to be like…whoa. That hit different. Went home and took a nice hour and a half nap and felt much better. Got up in time to grocery shop and get Martini at daycare, take her for a walk and that was pretty much my day. The Cyclist sent me a goodnight text (so sweet), and I took my night-night nausea drug and that was all she wrote.

The Move: Slow going. Packing happened for a bit over the long Memorial Day weekend, but I have sooooooooo much to go yet. I think I’ve got the movers hired. I want to make sure that is the case as I have a written commitment, but I haven’t signed any paperwork yet so I need to get that solidified and in writing. I am so excited for this move! A new place! A new outlook! I was told yesterday to hire as much help as I can as my energy levels will flag during this second half of treatment. If today is any indication, I can see/feel that already. I will just take it as it comes and adjust accordingly. What I do know is that I want to pack my boxes. It just takes longer for me. That’s why I started a month early and my place is a disaster!

Work: Still going okay. The company is up for sale. I worry a little bit about my position because the company is selling, but then I also feel better that it is now “hidden” under my boss which should mean further down on the chopping block. Also, last time the company sold I got a lovely payment out of it. I’m not sure if I’m still on the list to get payment or if I was booted off that list. I guess we’ll see in the coming weeks. Would be nice to get a chunk of change. We’ll see. New Boss is unbelievably good to work with and she’s much more politically correct and communicative. She has a way with words and is absolutely understanding about my treatments and such. I am so happy to have her as the big buffer between me and upper management. I’ve also made the decision that at this point in my career, I’m not looking to be the boss anymore. I would be very content to work this mid-level job with less stress and less having to “play the game”. I suppose that my travel perks will go away with this change of thought process, but I can do the travel during my vacations and not have to worry about what’s happening at the office while I’m gone. Fuck that. Life’s much too important to have to worry about work while taking time off from work. Take yesterday. I did not look at my work email once before, during or after treatment. I was 100% off the clock (which is also a FMLA rule anyway) and it felt nice. Never mind that there were a few fires burning when I got back into the office - most of them were taken care of by New Boss! Good stuff.

Whelp. That’s about all I have for now. Got some mini-fires to extinguish and a nice lunchtime walk to take with the dog. Good times on a Thursday.

Hope you all are doing and feeling well. Don’t forget to get your butts checked!!
Love,
GS