I got so many presents today. Mom and Dad came by with cute outfits and a tiara and lava lamp that David sent. Diane came by with a bag full of colorful yarn and a crochet hook and books. Lynn left a surprise beautiful set of paintings for my wall. With me in my hospital bed and everyone sitting around me I felt like I was holding court for just a minute.
This morning I woke up with a warm red left arm. The danger of having a catheter in my vein is the possibility of developing deep vein thrombosis. So I went off to the ultrasound to check for clots. All was clear, so I started experimenting with my own workout regime to help get the blood flowing. Lots of leg swinging and squats and things. My blood levels are starting to drop off, so I could only handle a little of this. I guess my guts are also getting obliterated, because I can't seem to digest raw vegetables anymore. You should hear all the belching and farting going on in my room today.
Actually, I take that back. I'm pretty glad you can't hear it. I'm almost sorry I told you about it.
Almost.
I've been hearing about the chemo nadir. Dictionary definition of nadir is "the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization". I think in celestial terms it's when the sun is on the exact opposite side of the earth from you. Basically, it's the pits. The drugs I am on have a nadir of something like 10 to 21 days after starting. Dr. Patil told me that starting this coming Wednesday and into the weekend will probably be the worst. If you don't hear from me during this time, you'll understand why. It's my own personal labor day weekend. Basically, my bone marrow will be in a state of disrepair and won't be able to make me as much blood as I need until it starts to recover, which will take a couple weeks.
I've decided to name my constant companion Dmitry. Dr. Bowles heard me calling it a pole, and joked that I should give it a Polish name. So, I thought I'd take the name of the one very Polish person in my life. I hate to say it Dmitry, but I hope this close, intimate, physically abusive relationship will be short lived and I will never have to see you or speak to you again.
This morning I woke up with a warm red left arm. The danger of having a catheter in my vein is the possibility of developing deep vein thrombosis. So I went off to the ultrasound to check for clots. All was clear, so I started experimenting with my own workout regime to help get the blood flowing. Lots of leg swinging and squats and things. My blood levels are starting to drop off, so I could only handle a little of this. I guess my guts are also getting obliterated, because I can't seem to digest raw vegetables anymore. You should hear all the belching and farting going on in my room today.
Actually, I take that back. I'm pretty glad you can't hear it. I'm almost sorry I told you about it.
Almost.
I've been hearing about the chemo nadir. Dictionary definition of nadir is "the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization". I think in celestial terms it's when the sun is on the exact opposite side of the earth from you. Basically, it's the pits. The drugs I am on have a nadir of something like 10 to 21 days after starting. Dr. Patil told me that starting this coming Wednesday and into the weekend will probably be the worst. If you don't hear from me during this time, you'll understand why. It's my own personal labor day weekend. Basically, my bone marrow will be in a state of disrepair and won't be able to make me as much blood as I need until it starts to recover, which will take a couple weeks.
I've decided to name my constant companion Dmitry. Dr. Bowles heard me calling it a pole, and joked that I should give it a Polish name. So, I thought I'd take the name of the one very Polish person in my life. I hate to say it Dmitry, but I hope this close, intimate, physically abusive relationship will be short lived and I will never have to see you or speak to you again.
Despite the contraption next to you, you look like a princess:)
ReplyDeleteseeing the picture of you with Dmitry, with all of the IV bags, in a hospital - there's a certain disconnect for me - like i'm trying to wrap my brain around what is happening with you. i'm sure it's a hundredfold for you. Thann you for blogging and letting us gain some sort of insight into what you're going through.
ReplyDeleteSarah, I hate reading this, but your writing is so enjoyable at the same time. Thanks for sharing this process with all of us. I still can't believe it. Hope you and Dmitry have some moments of reprieve today. Thinking about you....
ReplyDeletePS- I've never replied on a blog before. It's Nikole Maxey :)
DeleteI like your tiara. It suits your farting.
ReplyDelete