Resuming Life After Chemo...

There is indeed life after chemo!

My New Normal & Celebrating Life

It has been about two months since I finished my chemo treatments. I am feeling well.

One month after finishing my treatments, my hair started to grow back in a noticeable fashion. I call myself a chia pet since hair is sprouting all over. It is a sign that my body is normalizing and recovering from the treatments. I told my son my hair was growing back and he wanted to know if he could put some water on it to help it grow.:-)

I’ve had a CT scan and more blood work to see how effective the chemo was and how I’m really progressing. The CT scan came back clear with no evidence of cancer which I am so very thankful for; however, to my surprise, my blood levels are still low. My white blood cells (which affect my immunity) and my red bloods cells (affect energy and anemia) are still below the normal range which means I am susceptible to disease and infections and I am still anemic.

Late in treatment and afterwards, I was taking iron supplements to improve my anemia and also drinking fruit drinks that were high in the Bs which help to rebuild my immunity system. I am sad to say that as I started to feel better, I stopped taking the iron and drinking the drinks. I believe my levels would be higher IF I had kept up my regimen from the beginning.

I have done some soul searching and realized the drs have done what they can do with the chemo and constant monitoring; the rest is up to me – to ensure I stay on track by doing what I need to do to get my body back “whole” again. This was a real lesson learned! So, more veggies, more fruit, more supplements, more exercise to help myself.

I’ve had some generalized swelling as a side effect from my anemia -- my face, hands and feet. Now that I’m taking my iron again, it appears to be getting better.

My husband kept his promise of a trip after my chemo. Thanks to my sister’s, Jeana’s, willingness to care for our son, we have enjoyed some get away time in South America and England. It was like coming out of a cocoon, a rebirth, and renewal for me and for us as a couple. I am very thankful that was well enough to make these trips and had an enjoyable time.

On Sunday, March 15^th, I am hosting a brunch for MY cheerleaders in all this. They prayed for me, they made meals for me, they called or e-mailed to check on me, they stood by me, they have supported me and my family and for that I am eternally grateful. So, I figure since I’m feeling better, we would CELEBRATE our collective success since I feel I could not have done this without each of them.