Leuchter was right...

...when he said that rounds 5 and 6 are the toughest of this protocol. Even with all the adjustments, the hydrations, the supplements, the injections, the medications, and on and on - it's obvious that Nanc is tired and is oh so ready to be finished. Don't get me wrong - she's not giving up or wanting to take short cuts. She's just plain exhausted from it all. I think if she ever has to look at another pill with her breakfast when this is over, she'll probably gag just having it in front of her.

Another reason I think he said that is because on the one hand you can see the end, anticipate that the treatments will be over. And on the other hand, then what? Your life is no longer consumed with all the concerns of the side effects and appointments. There's a certain letdown from it all coupled with a nagging uncertainty of what's next in your battle with the disease.

Did the chemo do its job? Will it come back?? Is that other foot going to fall??? Nanc hasn't used these exact words, but has certainly expressed the feelings.

Be here now...

On a different note, one good development recently is that the nausea has really taken a back seat. They changed her from Compazine to a patch called Scopolamine. The Compazine was making her very restless and once they took her off, the results were almost immediate. At one point a while back, even though she was tired, she just couldn't sit still. One of the side effects of the drug is a condition called akathasia. It is "an unpleasant subjective sensation of "inner" restlessness that manifests itself with an inability to sit still or remain motionless." No kidding. It was pretty intense at times.

Anyway it was definitely a good move. She's now sleeping well and I think it's made a huge difference in how well she's been doing lately.

So, Tuesday is the last of round 5. That's 15 treatments, 20 hydrations and who knows how many needles, soft boiled eggs and sherbert shakes.

Just stay in the moment....

xoxo

PS. - If I don't post for a few days, it is safe to assume that everything is pretty much unchanged since last post. I seem to have less and less to say that won't be more of the same stuff I've already told you about. I will post again Tuesday from the hospital....