I write at the end of round 2 of chemo and I don't have much to report on that front. It was pretty much like last month - a lot of fatigue and some sickness, but tolerable. It does get a little more difficult as the week goes on to actually take the tablets knowing that they're going to make me feel worse. I just have to focus on the hope that they're doing their work.
I do have some interesting medical tidbits learned last week...
I had a CT scan recently and discussed the results with the oncologist last Monday. One of the things she pointed out was how the swelling on my brain had reduced since the October scan. The steroids have done a great job at bringing back the crinkles (my technical term, not the Doctor's!) that normal brains have.
We also quizzed her a little on which part of the brain might have been affected by the resection and apparently the bit that they worked on is responsible for impulsiveness. So she said I might be more prone to swearing than in the past and impulsive behaviour. I was wondering why I've taken to buying Manolo Blahnik shoes recently.
One thing I noticed just looking in the mirror the other day was that the wrinkles on my forehead have faded. I can only imagine that when the surgeon performed the second op (see this post) he pulled the skin on my face back a touch. Result! Free face lift with every procedure!
Last piece of good news is that my hair is slowly starting to return, which makes me think it must have been the radiation and not the chemo that made it fall out. That said, it didn't stop Richard from wanting to change my profile on the Wii to a character with significantly less hair! You can always count on Rich to keep it real.
I started work again last month and it's absolutely great to be back, connecting with colleagues and putting my newly crinkly brain back to use. I think I'm pretty fortunate to have a job that I love and, although my wings have been clipped until after the summer, I'm happy just to be more active.
I'm having a few days vacation next week to spend some quality time with my big sister. No doubt I'll have some fun stuff to report next time!
Until then, take it easy.
I do have some interesting medical tidbits learned last week...
I had a CT scan recently and discussed the results with the oncologist last Monday. One of the things she pointed out was how the swelling on my brain had reduced since the October scan. The steroids have done a great job at bringing back the crinkles (my technical term, not the Doctor's!) that normal brains have.
We also quizzed her a little on which part of the brain might have been affected by the resection and apparently the bit that they worked on is responsible for impulsiveness. So she said I might be more prone to swearing than in the past and impulsive behaviour. I was wondering why I've taken to buying Manolo Blahnik shoes recently.
One thing I noticed just looking in the mirror the other day was that the wrinkles on my forehead have faded. I can only imagine that when the surgeon performed the second op (see this post) he pulled the skin on my face back a touch. Result! Free face lift with every procedure!
Last piece of good news is that my hair is slowly starting to return, which makes me think it must have been the radiation and not the chemo that made it fall out. That said, it didn't stop Richard from wanting to change my profile on the Wii to a character with significantly less hair! You can always count on Rich to keep it real.
I started work again last month and it's absolutely great to be back, connecting with colleagues and putting my newly crinkly brain back to use. I think I'm pretty fortunate to have a job that I love and, although my wings have been clipped until after the summer, I'm happy just to be more active.
I'm having a few days vacation next week to spend some quality time with my big sister. No doubt I'll have some fun stuff to report next time!
Until then, take it easy.
