2nd Chemo was Dec 30 -- Not as bad as last time

I went in for an afternoon appt this time and boy was it crowded! They were closing early Dec 31 and closed Jan 1, so they had to get us all scheduled and through our treatments before that. I got there about 1:30 and was ready to get a chair by 2:30. (They first have to draw blood and make sure you are "well enough" for them to try to kill you again.)

Well, there was no room at the Inn! The nurse suggested I go get my next appts set up and make myself a cup of tea and then probably something would be freed up. So, I finally got a seat about 3pm and got out of there after 6pm. It went very smoothly with my new port. The needle going in isn't any nicer than an IV poke, but at least you don't have to worry about whether they are going to find your vein.

The last time, I found the Neulasta shot was the worst of it. That's the one that boosts your white blood cells so you don't get so sick from the chemo. That was the one that made my shins and knees ache so bad it woke me up at night. This time I took a Claritin the day before the shot and the morning of the shot and it really hasn't bothered me as much. And the incontinence isn't so bad either, or maybe I'm just prepared with my Poise pads this time.

Anyway, this time on Day 2 I feel fine -- no need for a nap. Had a lot of visitors today and ended up driving 4 hours up to Glenwood Springs for no reason (the "Look Good, Feel Better" class was of course NOT scheduled for New Year's Day but for next Friday!). But it was a lovely drive -- very pretty in the canyons this time of year -- and enjoyed Tom Waits CDs (a very acquired taste - don't rush out and buy any TW CD's without listening to them first).

Each time will be different I hear, and probably will get worse, but for now I feel lucky and blessed to have had such a lovely holiday time, and still have several days left of it!

Happy New Year to All! I'm definitely hoping for a better one than this year!