Posts

Thursday, January 16

The kids had a snow day today--their first of this winter. They both slept in late, watched some TV shows, played outside for a little while, and read. The three of us played Unstable Unicorns once I was done working, and all four of us played Splendor. Then they had virtual piano lessons, and we ate dinner. Andrew and I took Farrah for a walk. A nice wintry day. We have a significant amount of snow on the ground--nothing that's going to melt anytime soon.  I loved being holed up here together all day even though it meant tonight's middle- and upper-school chorus concert was cancelled and Mom and Dad weren't able to come for a visit; we were going to celebrate Mom's birthday. Our celebration will have to be postponed. Greta had made some delicious Nutella cupcakes and she's just going to have to make them again.
Post a Comment
Read more

Wednesday, January 15

Totally normal day. No leg pain. Felt good. Worked, went grocery shopping with Andrew, made dinner--a new recipe from a cookbook I got for Christmas. Greta baked cupcakes for Mom's birthday tomorrow (visit is weather-dependent). Lucia had a late evening appointment with her new tutor, which went well. They worked on corrections to the dreaded physics test.  I purged some bookshelves tonight (middle-grade books mostly from library sales that the kids never read). We are constantly bringing books into the house and there's no need to hang on to any we don't love or have a sentimental attachment to. The kids have their favorite middle-grade books, to be sure, and we'll never get rid of those. But the unread, overlooked middle-grade novels can safely be offloaded now. Andrew and I have been going through our own shelves as well.  It was so cold here today but it's the strangest thing--I just don't feel it. Andrew and I took Farrah for a walk tonight and I didn't...
Post a Comment
Read more

Tuesday, January 14

A beautiful snowy day. I felt almost completely normal, with the leg pains pretty much gone. I worked from home and even got out my crocheting tonight to make two little snowmen in honor of the wintry day. Andrew and I took Farrah for a snowy walk. Winter is truly the best season when it's snowing.  Lucia had track and ran six miles. Greta had crew and had what sounds like a very intense workout.  Hoping this coming week will be symptom-free. A respite before beginning cycle #2 on January 29.
Post a Comment
Read more

Monday, January 13

I heard back from the PA this morning, who suggested I take 4mg of a steroid morning and night. This helped a ton today, and I finally felt relief from the leg pain. Andrew and I also took Farrah on two walks. Moving around helps and I'm determined to keep doing it, even when it feels like a big ask. I'm always glad when we go. It's freezing cold here, but I love it. I love walking on the snowy sidewalks, in the freezing air. It just feels good. I'm never cold anymore, just happily comfortable. Walking plus eating meals and snacks has been helping a lot. Still not sure if worse is to come, but I'm almost one week post-treatment now, so I'm hoping this cycle has brought all it will.  I'm trying very hard to gain back some of the weight I've lost since my surgery (I lost 10 lbs), and though I'm not putting weight on yet, I'm not losing any more, either, which I think is good. I'm drinking a Carnation Instant Breakfast every morning, and then th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sunday, January 12

Intense leg pain made the day unpleasant, and I hope this is the height of the side effects for this cycle. Advil didn't do much to help, and at times it felt painful even to walk. Still, Andrew and I took Farrah on two walks just to make sure I kept moving; my appetite is still good, and we had a delicious dinner of baked ziti provided by Mom; and I'm not having any other symptoms. Each day will be different. I messaged the PA at my oncologist's office for advice on handling the leg pain, and I'm going to bed with a heating pad.  Otherwise, it was a quiet day. Lucia went sledding with two friends in the afternoon; Greta worked on an art project; we did laundry; Andrew went grocery shopping. We all needed a low-key weekend. 
Post a Comment
Read more

Saturday, January 11

Lots of leg soreness today that got progressively worse, but nothing that's debilitating. We all slept in and just had a quiet day here. I read a lot, the girls and I played Unstable Unicorns, the four of us played Splendor, and Greta baked a chocolate cake. Andrew went out tonight to watch the Steelers game with some friends, and the girls and I watched a few episodes of Lost.  These quiet weekend days are welcome. 
Post a Comment
Read more

Friday, January 10

Another pretty good day. I felt a little more tired today and my legs are a little achey, too, but nothing debilitating. I was able to work, and Beth came over for a lunchtime visit. My appetite is fine and I'll take the day as a win.  Lucia had a hard day because she bombed a physics test and texted us from the upper school bathroom, where she was crying. She'll be able to correct the problems and it's going to be fine; lots of kids didn't do well. She felt better by the time she got home from school.  By tonight we were all fading. I think we're all wiped out after this week--the kids from getting back from winter break, and Andrew and I from our long Wednesday of chemo and the preparations for it. We all were happy to order dinner from Pastoli's tonight, sit by the fire, and watch The Way Home. Time for a weekend of rest. I hope it snows many many inches. 
Post a Comment
Read more