There just never seems to be a right time to blog after treatment...especially the treatments I have had the last couple of days.What can I say, these were two of the toughest days so far.
Other than getting to sport another sassy new hair cut, holding ice cubes in my mouth while being infused with a highly toxic dose of chemotherapy was the best and worst place I could possibly be. I hope you can understand where I'm coming from. The BEST place...because my entourage, including Hayleigh, walked me through the painful part by helping me to stay focused on the end result (no mouth sores), laughing and strong to the finish.I also received a 3 lb box of chocolates from my sister-in-law Deb and a huge get-well basket with movies, candy and popcorn from Beth, Dana, and Liz (the Malden girls) to look forward to when I get home.If I could just get out of here!!
The WORST place...because I know all too well that the high dose chemo will take me to all new depths of pain, and discomfort over the next two weeks..there is no avoiding it. In truth, the healing continues and it's the only means to the end that will enable me to go on living .
But guess what...I did it! I made it through...and tomorrow is the day I have looked forward to for the last 5 months, my second birthday! Tomorrow I get my precious stem cells back. I can't wait!
Tomorrow is called Day 0. I will be hooked up to an IV and my previously frozen stem cells will be slowly reinfused over several hours. Unfortunately the preservative that is used for the cells smells like rotton garlic...for 3 whole days! I won't be able to smell it, but everyone else will (LOL!) My entourage may be bribing each other for breaks throughout the day.I'll be sure to get pics for both your and my entertainment.I'll be heavily sedated for most of it and will sleep most of the day away.But I can't miss these moments... they are priceless.
Many thanks for all of the delicious dinners that have been so graciously provided to my family in Easton. They are a life saver for those at home. Please keep sending the great jokes...they keep us all laughing, and please keep the prayers coming. He is listening...I know it for sure:)
Tomorrow is another day and we will endure!
Love, Cheryl
The photos of you courageously getting through the wretched ice packing of the mouth are inspiring. Miserable is the only way to describe that process. Every dentist we have explained it to has shuttered at the thought of 45 minutes of packing your mouth full of ice. Any procedure that makes a dentist shutter...well you get my point. As Robert follows on your heals knowing how well you managed to get through this immensely difficult process will help to get him through. Seeing how your entourage supported you will help us to be of better support to Robert. Hang in there...keep up your nutrition...and we will envision a healthy immune system engrafting with every passing moment. You are in our prayers for a strong and complete response.
ReplyDeleteMartha and Robert Ingel
Hi Cheryl,
ReplyDeleteArrgghh! I am angry at the ice cubes for you. Out, out damn ice cubes! (with apologies to Shakespeare)
I have a daily reader called Each Day a New Beginning that always moves me. Here is a passage from April 28: "Our sufferings are singular, individual, and lonely. But our experiences with it can be shared, thereby lessening the power they have over us." You so brilliantly enact this in your life. Thank you so much for sharing. Sending you love,
Jacquie
Jack was not a big fan of the ice cubes either and tried to talk me out of shoveling them in - if he could talk then there was not enough ice! The good news is that it did actually work so it is like the entire process - you need to do some very unpleasant tasks but the final result is an amazing miracle. By the way - I thought it smelled more like cream corn than garlic!! Sending you our prayers and good thoughts. Jack and Cheryl Zaney
ReplyDeleteHang in there...one day at a time...and happy, happy re-birthday. My 11th is coming up in a couple of weeks and I'm wishing those and many, many more for you. I really have no concept of this ice-packing but I hope it works...mucositis ,,,aieee,...nuff said... but you endure today for the hope of tomorrow. Look at what you have already endured? You can do this. I'm praying for strength, courage, persistence and perseverance for you Cheryl and for those who surround you - the entourage. Gotta love the entourage. It's so hard to see someone you love suffering, perhaps in some ways even harder then going through the suffering yourself. (Notice I said "in some ways" !)
ReplyDeleteSo you are at Day +3 YAY! Take the drugs, let your body recover in its own time, it will happen. Know the well is deep within you and it is filled with all you need to get through this - it's amazing, really. Even when you think it may be nearing "empty" you will find that it is not...by a long shot. Hugs to you and yours, and I'm sorry about the Celtics...and the USA World Cup...and the Kings (well just forget about them for now). However it is a beautiful 103 degree in Sacramento :)
Vicki
The Beaumont's check the Blog every day. We laugh with you and pray for you. Another friend that we were praying for has had issuses with brain cancer. His doctor's say he is clear for now. Jimmy Hatem does not think that they have helped the guy's golf game much, but we were not praying for his golf game.
ReplyDeleteKeep a stiff (frozen) upper lip ! Keep us in the loop.
the beaumont's