Feeling great today!

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. 

~Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book

Shortly after my last blog post on Friday evening, slight nausea and a mild headache set in.  I took a Compazine (anti-nausea med) and a Restoril (sleeping pill) and went to bed.  I slept terribly, despite the sleeping pill, but Jessica had warned me that the IV Decadron -- an anti-nausea steroid given with the chemotherapy -- might cause insomnia.  It did.  I did get some sleep Friday night, but it was very fitful.  When I finally got up at 0445, I still felt slightly nauseous and still had a headache.  I really didn't want to take any other meds, so I just drank a lot of water -- about a liter before Kenny got up at 0800.  By then, I was feeling much better, except I was craving a high-carb breakfast -- like I had a hangover or something (I didn't).  I really wanted a Belgian waffle with real maple syrup!  So we went out to breakfast.  Sadly, the place we chose didn't have Belgian waffles, so I had bacon, eggs, toast, and home fries!  Bad girl!  I don't eat red meat or toast, and I try to avoid potatoes.  Sure tasted good, though!  Then we went to some yard sales looking for the elusive bargain -- found nothing -- and drove up to Titusville to check out a campground for future reference.  I started falling asleep in the car on the way home (I wasn't driving....LOL) and realized I was REALLY tired.  Ended up sleeping for an hour and a half yesterday afternoon -- I NEVER nap, so I was definitely tired.  We went for a walk later in the afternoon and then sat outside the RV for awhile.  I was still extremely tired after dinner.  Could hardly keep my eyes open.  Finally went to bed at 2100 and slept until 0700 this morning!!  Wow!  I haven't slept that late in years!  It was wonderful.  And today I feel wonderful!  We're going to go to the Pioneer Trail and do our 2.2-mile walk in a little while.  Not sure what else we'll do today.  Maybe just relax and enjoy the day.

I'm happy to report that I can almost raise my left arm straight up over my head now.  Woo hoo!  What a feeling.  There is still some tightness and pain, but it has improved significantly.  I can also finally sleep on my right side again because the pain from the port has subsided significantly. 

Now that I have more range of motion in my left arm, Kenny and I are actually hoping to go kayaking this week.  That will be great fun.  I'm supposed to wear an arm compression sleeve when I exercise (to keep swelling down due to the lymph node removal), but I ordered one 2 weeks ago, and it hasn't come yet.  I'll just have to not paddle vigorously -- it's not like we're going to be shooting white water rapids or anything.  It will be gentle paddling -- just out to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. 

So, in summary, the only real side effects I have experienced so far from the chemo are slight nausea, a headache, and extreme fatigue.  Today I'm feeling like a million bucks!  Hope you're all having a good day, too!