5 Months Post Chemo

It has now been 5 months since my final chemo treatment. My hair is about an inch long. The part the touches the mat during magnetic therapy with the Bemer machine is MUCH thicker. My neuropathy is gone thanks to the Bemer. I am SOOO thankful for that machine. Words just cannot describe it. So many people are stuck with the neuropathy for life, I have been blessed to have a solution and be rid of it.

Since chemo ended I have been pretty busy. My best friend convinced me to attend a “Tacky Prom” in February. You were supposed to be tacky and dress from the 80’s, 90’s of 00’s depending on your age. My almost bald head made the outfit. I went for a cross of Sinead O’Conner and Cindy Lauper. It was a lot of fun and I won prom queen. Guess I can do tacky right! I discovered my alcohol tolerance is pretty low. I am very glad we had a designated driver because just a few drinks had me way past tipsy. This is apparently a new normal I need to learn. 3 glasses of wine and I am done these days.

My energy levels are better but not my pre-cancer normal. I tend to be in bed before 9 pm. My strength is very low. I previously could lift and move things more like a man. I had been a woman who did it herself instead of asking for someone to come do it saying it couldn’t. Now, I am humbled and have learned just to ask for help.

My busy time at work- tax season- has recently ended and I did not think I was going to make it through it but I pushed and prevailed. The stamina for the extreme overtime just wasn’t there this time.

As far as any new symptoms, I have discovered that although I wan’t a person to easily sunburn before my body has changed. I helped my husband cut grass this past weekend. I was just on the riding mower for a little while. I now have sunburned arms nose and legs to show for it. But being out in the sun felt good. It’s amazing the changes chemotherapy makes on our body. I am 45 years old and think I have had two sunburns in my life before now. Chemo has changed the game for me.

I missed my three month oncologist follow up. My new insurance doesn’t cover my doctor. They do not have any in network oncologists nearby. All of them are about 2 hours away. I think it should be against the law to force us to use in network but not have any doctors in network in our general area. I could understand driving 45 minutes or even an hour. But 2 hours? It’s insane!

Oh yeah! Speaking of a Prom my baby boy attended his junior prom as well. He is so handsome and looked so very grown. I don’t feel its fair to post a picture with his girlfriend without her parent’s permission since she is under 18, but here is one of my son and I. I was pretty emotional and very glad to be alive to see this. Cancer makes you think of all the things that you might have missed if you hadn’t had the treatment.

Well, I just wanted to pop in with a mini update to let others know life starts to get normal after chemo. But, it does take time. Stay strong and pray.