All Over Again

Well, I have been on chemotherapy for 19 months now. I had a short 1 month hiatus for my transplant, but got back on it for maintenance back in July. So, I've been on maintenance chemo for a year now. Most of that year I have had no side effects. Well, other than the neuropathy I get a few days before I have my Zometa infusion for my bones. Otherwise, I was all great until about a month ago.

I go every other week to get my chemo and once a month I get Zometa. It seems that recently I have been getting sick after treatment. I was able to narrow it down to chemo because it happens when I get just chemo and when I get both chemo and Zometa. I get this weird feeling. All three times it's happened now I get sick. Sick to where I throw up. But the last two times I have a dizzy feeling. The crazy thing is, it starts about an hour after I have had my treatment. To me that's fast. Before my transplant, I would get sick. But I would get sick three days after treatment. Treatment on Wednesday, sick on Saturday. Never failed. I was going to be sick three days later. Now, it's an hour later. Luckily it only lasts a day.

When I get sick, I have eaten. See, I have to eat in order to take my medication every day. On top of eating before I take my medication, I also have to take an anti nausea medication. Just so I don't get sick and throw up my medication. I've tried only eating and taking my medication and I get sick. I've even tried taking the anti nausea medication and then my regular medication, and I get sick. So, I have to eat and take that anti nausea medication. Luckily it's just one small pill.

At least I now know this will be happening. And because I know, I can prepare for it and plan my day for it. I tried taking a second anti nausea pill this last time, but it didn't work on most of the symptoms. It made it so I didn't throw up, but I was still dizzy and light headed. So, this week coming up, I know I will end up being sick and will have to adjust my day accordingly.

 All the boys on the boat to Alcatraz

Brandon's first time on a boat

A few weeks ago I had my one year transplant check up at Stanford. We made a "weekend" out of it and went to San Fransisco the day before, which was Fathers Day. We spent a few hours on Alcatraz where it was a lot cooler than the actual city was. It was uncommonly hot. In the 80's, that day. On Alcatraz it felt about 10 degrees cooler. And so much better. After our time on Alcatraz, we went back to the car to get to the hotel which was an hour away and closer to Stanford. We wanted to get there and check in so we could relax and the boys could go swimming for a little while. We got to the hotel and checked in and got some food. When we got back, two of the boys went swimming and the rest of us relaxed and tried to get some rest.

The next day we had the continental breakfast the hotel had and then went back to the room to get ready for the day of my appointment at Stanford (which was going to be fast) and then to Pacifica to spend some time on the beach for a little bit. At my appointment I got the news that I could stop taking one of my medications. The thing is, I have to stay on it because of the chemo I am on. So, I really am still on it. But, I got the paperwork telling me what vaccines I can start getting. That's the big thing, getting my vaccines again. I am getting an immunity again.

After Stanford we got on the road to go to Pacifica. There, we had lunch at the Taco Bell on the beach and then let the boys spend some time playing in the sand and cold water. Brandon just wanted to wander around and see all the dogs and other people on the beach. He loves the sand. He will throw it on his head and do summersaults in it. After about an hour and a half Brandon was done and only wanted to be held. So, we had the bigger boys get cleaned up and we went to the cars to get ready to go. Eric and I were a little bit away from each other. I was ahead of him by maybe 30 minutes. On the way home he ended up in an accident with a motorcycle. He was changing lanes at about 5 mph when the motorcycle came up splitting lanes and hit him. After that he just had bad luck after bad luck. He, Ben and Kendel were finally home about 10pm that night. We were all ready to put that drive behind us.

The next day I sent my doctor a message saying I needed to start getting my vaccines. I ended up getting an appointment for that Friday. I now have a few of my vaccines. The flu shot I can't get until the fall when it is available. But I got the first of three Hep B shots and the Tdap and the tetanus shot. Next year I will get my Measles, Mumps and Rubella shot. That one waits until the second year after transplant.

Family picture on the beach in Pacifica

Todays post was just an update about what is going on now. Since it's further in between any kind of updates these days. Which is good when you think about it.

I Am 1 Again!

June 6th. Today is June 6th. Last year on June 6th I got a new lease on life. Last year I had my stem cell transplant on this day. So for that, today is my RE-birth day. I now celebrate my birthday twice a year. My original birthday. The date I was born into this world from my mothers womb is August 4th. That will forever be my actual age and birthday. But June 6th will from last year and for the rest of my life be my RE-birth day. The day I was given a new lease on life. The day my own clean stem cells gave me longer here with my loved ones. My family and my friends.

In the last year I have learned to slow down. It took me a while to really learn that, but that is the main thing I have learned. When I realize I need to slow down, I let Eric know and he will take over the early morning with Brandon so I can sleep in. He cooks and cleans. But the main thing is, he takes the early mornings. I have some days also where my body doesn't want to cooperate and that is when I take an extra day off work to rest my body while Brandon is at day care. Those 8 hours usually give my body enough time to recuperate and be replenished.

In the last year we really haven't done much. I have had to work and build up my vacation time and we have just been busy with my treatments every other week along with work. We did get to celebrate back in January with a short vacation where we went to Southern California to see family and a few friends and go to Disneyland and the beach. When we got to LA, we stopped at my great aunt Val's house to see her and so she could meet her great great nephew. We all, my great aunt Val and great uncle Al, Aunt Valerie and uncle Mike, dad and Linda and brother Lucas and Heather and Quinn all went to lunch. After lunch we made our way from Northridge to Long Beach and went to the beach. Brandon had a blast! He LOVES the water. He wanted to jump in fully clothed. He pretty much did. We ended up stripping him down to his diaper and let him get wet a little. Luckily my dad always has towels in his car. That night was an early night as we were all tired from the day. We were up early the next day for a full day at Disneyland. Brandon first trip and my celebration of being 7 months cancer free! That was amazing! The next day we left early in the morning to head home. Talk about a quick vacation.

Since then we haven't done a whole lot. Just the same old same everyday of working and treatment. No day trips other than a trip to the Folsom Zoo Sanctuary and a short trip up to see Brandon's first snow. Right now, I am able to celebrate my RE-birth day with  my step sons. We made cupcakes and everybody had 1 or 2 to celebrate my 1st birthday today. I had a large cupcake. A special one. One I ended up sharing with Brandon. We have my step-sons here for a month and tomorrow is our first big outing as a family to a place called Wake Island. It's a beach area and also has an inflatable aqua park on the water for the boys to play on. It's going to be a fun day and my first time out in the sun for a long period of time. Because of my transplant, I am more susceptible to skin cancer. So, I am prepared with a rash guard to wear in the water along with a large brim hat to wear. Not to mention my sunscreen. I am actually using special baby sunscreen to make sure I don't burn. I am prepared and ready for a fun day in the sun and water.

Next up is something I just found out about today. My youngest step brother is getting married this year. In October we get to take a trip to Southern California to his wedding. It is a little bit after Brandon's birthday, so maybe we can celebrate his birthday with that side of the family too while down there.

I am exhausted now though. It's been a long few days with a full house and it honestly is taking it's tole on my body each day. Mainly because it's more people to make sure are fed and getting enough food and are stimulated enough. But so far, I believe I am doing well keeping my step sons happy. It's tough since we have to work too while they are here,  but they have been very helpful with everything and keeping occupied. Now, I am off to bed to rest for the long family day ahead starting my 2nd year of RE-birth! Good night!