I am normally a half full kind of person, though I definitely do have my half empty days. Don’t we all! Yesterday marked the halfway point of my chemotherapy. I have completed 8 of my scheduled 16 rounds, 4 AC and 4 out of 12 Taxol. I remain very lucky and grateful. My side effects are minimal. No neuropathy or nausea, some aches and pains that are easily taken care of with light exercise and a hot bath. I’ve had to take nothing stronger than the occasional Tylenol. I’ve even managed to keep a cold at bay so as to stay on track with treatments. And.. my hair has been coming in since a week before my last AC treatment! I fully expected to lose it again on the Taxol, but that hasn’t been the case. It initially was snow white and now has some color, but not the color I was hoping for. It’s definitely gray. But it is hair. And it is my hair. I’ll take it and learn to dye love it.
I find myself feeling a little guilty these days at my good fortune. So many people at the cancer center look like they are not faring nearly so well with the side effects. Of course I don’t know what kind of cancer or what stage they are in but still… I wish I could share some of my luck with them. Yesterday while waiting to be called back after my labs were drawn I met Boomer, the center’s therapy dog. What a cutie! He approached each and every patient and brought smiles to all, even some that were looking pretty down trodden up until that moment. My husband and I got a good laugh at the thought of one of our hooligans being therapy dogs. It would certainly make it interesting for the staff!
Clover and Comet
I was catching up on my reading of the many blogs I follow before posting and one made mention of making lemonade out of lemons. My comment was that I always have preferred to open a bottle of vodka and drink until the lemons are gone but in light of my newly (forced) healthier lifestyle I will give that lemonade thing a try. We’ll see how that pans out.
mainelyhopeful 
Half way there! I’m so proud of you!! xoxo
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Thanks, Stella ❤
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Congrats on making it 1/2 way. You’re almost there! For me, the tail end was a bit tougher than the beginning, but just knowing that it was soon to be done made me very happy.
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I know effects can be cumulative and that was definitely the case with the AC, especially the fatigue. I still have radiation to look forward to, but I love crossing off the days on the calendar after each treatment 🙂
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I hear that!
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Congrats on hitting that halfway mark and its great to know your SE’s are minimal, especially on that wicked taxol. My hair came in st the end of my FEC chemo and also continued to grow during taxotere with just minimal shedding. Great to read you are doing so well, keep fighting the good fight, you inspire.
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Thank you. I find inspiration in your blog as well 🙂
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Very happy for you that your side effects are minimal. I am still waiting for my hair to start growing back, still look like a baby ostrich!
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I’m at that baby chick stage myself
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Well done! I love your doggies! Mine too would cause havoc as a therapy team but they make me feel better every day as I know yours do.
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They really do make me laugh when I don’t want to kill them both!
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Yay for being half-way there!!! DO NOT feel guilty for having an “easier” road than someone else. We all have our own cancer paths to travel and your experience is just as important and life-changing as someone else’s. We’re all learning from each other and supporting one another – no matter how hard or light the load may be. So happy that you have crossed the midway mark!
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Thanks!
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So glad for the minimal side effects! And halfway means it’s downhill – even those days when it doesn’t feel like it.
You have great dogs. So pretty!
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Thank you. They are a handful!
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Go you! I feel your joy and your power. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Belinda
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Woo Hoo!!! Congrats! Yes, you can LOVE/DYE your new hair! It’s fun to experiment w/colors too…I was a red head, a blonde, a brunette…and back to blonde. 🙂 Hides the grey better! 🙂
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Yay! !/2 way. Wishing you all the best. I will look forward to reading your blogs and seeing how you are doing.
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I am so happy for you being halfway through! And I know what you mean about feeling bad for others and wishing you could share some of your luck. Each time I’m at Dana Farber (which has only been a few since I’m still just beginning my journey through this), I see people I wish I could share at least some of my positive thinking and determination with. I hope it does rub off a little on some people I encounter at least, but I know everyone is different… very glad your glass is half full and you’re making lemonade! 🙂
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Lemonade sounds good. That reminds me, I have organic lemons I bought for cheap the other day.
How come your hair started growing and mine hasn’t? *jealous*
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I had the same chemo schedule, and thank God for my Nutritonal Oncologist whose supplement regimen kept me going! Sending you golden, healing light.
Hoda
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So nice to meet you, to discover your blog. Thank you for commenting on mine.
I am enjoying your blog.
Sending positive thoughts your way!
All the best in health,
Lisa
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Thanks for stopping by and commenting 🙂
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🙂
Nice to become acquainted with your blog! I am really enjoying your writing. I too am a “glass is half full” kind of person. Cancer hasn’t changed that for me. Although, like you said, we do all have those days where we aren’t in that frame of mind 🙂
All the best to you and congratulations on being past the halfway point with Taxol. Will be thinking of you.
Lisa
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