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jumptheshadow

(3,314 posts)
3. We got good news today
Mon Jun 4, 2012, 12:08 PM
Jun 2012

The breast surgeon says her tumor is shrinking. Now if the oncologist will only agree...

She started the first of four rounds of chemo in April. Her third round comes this week. There were eight awful days in the last cycle where she was extremely weak and sick and almost incapable of eating anything. Gradually, however, we are learning what she can tolerate: beef, watermelon, peanut butter, carrot and celery sticks, potatoes, turkey. She can also drink (but dislikes the taste of) Ensure Plus. She definitely feels better the day after she eats protein, and in the last week, I've seen flashes of her old self for the first time since last year.

She started showing signs of chemo brain this weekend. It's very strange to see this woman who has such a sharp engineering mind disoriented by simple household situations. Yet she retains her trademark sense of humor.

We are getting so much support from family, friends and work. She has set up a workstation for me on a recliner when I need to work from home to help nurse her. I need it because I am busy at work as well and get so tired! My sister is coming for a week next month to give me relief from the mountain of chores and errands.

We are preparing for her upcoming chemo by resting her and slowly building up her protein intake.

What a rollercoaster ride this is, but she is a trooper!

Thank you for your thoughts and good wishes.

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