Oops! Is that my car out of gas?

IT IS LAUREN'S FAULT!!!!

Even from 1,500 miles away she is making me run out of gas!

I was rushing off to my chemo injection, trying to make good time because I was a touch behind.  I lost track of time while working, but I was still going arrive within 5 minutes of my appointment, so I decided to just get gas after.  I mean, it is only 4 miles.  Just as I prepare to change lanes and circle around to the connecting interstate my car began "running" silently. 

Part 1:
"Oh, no.  Really?  Come on, just go a bit further.  Oh stop honking, can't you see I just turned my hazard lights on?  Do you think I wanted to a rest stop in the middle lane of the tollway? Just a little farther.  YES!  I can pull of there."
Calling mom, "Hi.  Can you help me?   I need gas."   I really hoped mom would just bring it.  But, nope, she brought dad.  He is not going to be happy about this. 
Gas can emptied into tank.
Give him something to think about besides how stupid it is to run out of gas.
"Well, would you like some chemo?" 
Dad: "What?" 
"I am going to go get some chemo, but I will share."
Dad: "Uh, maybe see if your mom wants to go."
Mom decides to come and we get int the car.

Car won't start!?#!
Stop Dad from driving off.
Dad jump starts the car successfully after 2 tries.
After gathering Mom, Dad, 2 NTTA Customer Care Car Service guys, zip off to the hospital knowing full well that if the battery was too dead to start right up on one try it isn't going to start after chemo when I have to rush off to take on of the kids for a check-up.
Decide I should have been shopping more aggressively for a new car.

Part 2:
Enjoy my soapy, internally cleansing Abraxane, laugh with Nurses H and C, tease Nurse S, and tell Dr J that this chemo is sooo much easier to manage than the Zeloda.  Check out the green smoothie the other nurse is drinking and compare recipes.
Zoom off to check kiddies out of school to get to the check-up I know will include 2 hours of waiting. 

Part 3:
Running tight on time so I am too hungry to stop for a 2:30 lunch.  Luck me, the check-up was lickity-split.
My mom is preparing to start a specialty baby blanket e-store.  She makes the sweetest cuddly blankets with crocheted lace edges.  She has designed her own edges.  They are
the most beautiful gifts.  I loved having them and love it even more when I get to give one to a friend.  
I will be creating the website so we begin to talk marketing.  Kiddo #2 comes up with an awesome name when the rest of us are too stumped to be creative. 

Part 4:
Finally, most of the most time sensitive tasks for the day are out of the way.  I ran into an old friend I haven't talked to in years.  We were just getting caught up when I had what my daughter called a "911 bathroom emergency" when she was in kindergarten. 
(Some of the details of chemo are less glamorous than the movies make them out to be.  It isn't all sweaty vomit and grey skin.)
So, it is about time to call it a day.  Only 6 more hours of things to do.  Soccer, getting everyone in bed, work for a couple hours to make up the hours I was stranded on the side of the road or hanging out with half of the medical population of Dallas.

Conclusion:

Who would have thought that the chemo would be the easy part of today?  

Getting Ready for Chemo

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Tonight is the night, I am starting chemo again.  I decided to write a practical post about preparing for chemo for any readers who are trying to navigate cancer themselves.

  

Are you starting chemo soon?  If so, you have heard this: “How can I help you".  It is so hard to answer, especially if you are feeling overwhelmed by a new diagnosis and intense medical care.  The smartest thing is to come up with some answers.  People will want to help.  Ask them to pick up a couple things you will need so you can save your energy or use it in better ways.

Here are a couple ideas:

• laundry soap (I asked for Tide free so it would be gentle)
• sports drinks
• crackers
• canned soup
• a book/magazine  
• (Note: all these foods can go into the cupboard to be used when you need them) 
•  Got kids?  Make arrangements for someone to take them to a specific activity – if someone takes them to soccer practice every week you don’t have to think about it.  Then, if you feel up to joining – you can ride along. 

Stock up on some comforts for yourself

Today I went to the big-box store and bought extras of some staples plus a few things I think I will want if the chemo makes me feel punky.    

Get sports drinks – the electrolytes are going to help so much if you loose your appetite.  Also, being well hydrated before a treatment will help the chemo move through your system better.  I can’t prove that with science, but I lived it, for what that is worth.   

Get some simple foods; no spice, easy prep, no chewing.  If you get really tired from the chemo you will be so happy to have a quick bite if you feel hungry.  Mashed potatoes and rotisserie chicken always hit the spot for me after chemo.  Think jell-o cups, rice, soup, and crackers.  I also got over-the-counter remedies for some potential side effects of the medicine – ginger ale (yup – that’s medicinal sometimes) and something for loose bowels.   

 PS – ginger is good for a sour stomach – you might pick up a box of ginger snaps.

Feed the family: I bought some easy meals for the kids to make.  Simple meals, snacks, cold cereal – these things keep the world spinning if mom gets sick.  I am so fortunate that my kids can do some meal prep.  Warning: You may not like the smell of cooking food.  Cold cereal, pop-tarts, and juice boxes might be as important for you as the kids. (no smell)

Get your body ready and already gave you my first bit of advice – GET HYDRATED!  Get water, PowerAde, juice, anything in your system.  Really focus on water, but use something else if it tastes better.  Hydration will make injections better.  It gets the medicine into your system better and gets the toxins out better.  (You want to dilute that chemo for when you make trips to the restroom.) Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

Give your body protein to rebuild the good cells that are being killed by chemo.  These friendlies are going to take a hit right along with the enemy cancer cells.  Help defend them.   

Get veggies – they have nutrients that are going to keep you going.  

Get some simple carbs – you will need fast energy for when you are only up to a couple bites every couple hours. 

Eating during chemo – anything you have an appetite for is good – if you want Egg McMuffins, eat ‘em.  If you want pasta, eat it.  If you want apples, bite in!  Chemo is not the time for self imposed restriction dieting.

If you have tips of your own, please share!