Hi. I’m Kate. Turn ons include IV drips, PETscans, and organic fig newtons. Turn offs include whining, hospital gowns, and artificial sugar.
Let’s see how much life I can squeeze in between work, chemo, sleep, and scans.
Chemo Shuffle
The Chemo Shuffle is very similar to line dancing. The steps are generally the same for everyone, but there are slight variations that make each person’s dance unique. Being a purist at heart, I chose to keep my version of The Chemo Shuffle very simple. It goes something like this:
1. Sign in, grab a cookie.
2. Scope out a good chair.
3. Give a blood sample, ask for Daffy Duck band-aid.
4. Get hooked up, eat cookie, drink Naked juice.
5. Marinate, listen to some tunes.
6. Head home, have another cookie.
What was once a simple (and somewhat enjoyable) dance has become complicated and I’m having trouble keeping up with the music. The problem is that I’m missing a dance partner, my platelets. They’ve been MIA recently and I’ve had to sit out the last two dances because of their absence. I can’t dance without them and I’m nervous that they’ll stand me up yet again.
Tomorrow’s Chemo Shuffle will be the same as always, but there will be a new twist - a two-step combination of worry and anxiety.
Hope the dance occurs today, Kate - I’m praying for a pre-Thanksgiving dance partner to show up for you - you are amazing, and make my minor life challenges seem insignificant, but always well worth the struggle. Keep dancing.
Hi Kate ~
Sorry to hear about your platelets. Hope you were able to get tx. Much to my surprise, I was not able to get tx today for the same reason, only I had a 3 wk. break. I was pretty dang surprised. I’m befuddled (sp?) on this one –I need to know “why?”
Maybe I’ll try the waltz to “Where have all the platelets gone?” or maybe I should stop watching Dancing with the Stars
Hope you have a good one!
Fortunately, I was able to receive my treatment on Weds. I now have a new superstition - While my truck is very comfy, it seems that it brings bad luck. I’ve been turned down for treatment everytime we’ve driven it to treatment. I’ll stick with the GTO.
Lisa - I’ve read all sorts of things that are supposed to help boost platelets (mostly iron-related) and I know it’s hard to walk away without getting the chemo. Trust that your body is working as hard as it can and listen to it when it says it needs a break. Of course, I was very nervous the night before my treatment and kept myself distracted by coming up with convincing arguments for why I should receive my treatment, including:
- I just received my ‘I heart my oncologist’ shirt. Don’t make me return it.
- Don’t think I won’t take my $15 copay to another oncologist.
- I came here to get a shot of something, Gemzar or Cuervo, your choice. Guess which one doesn’t make me puke.
Hi Kate, I just stumbled on your blog, and I wish you all the best! I really enjoyed your Green Purse post…and I’m wondering where you got it because I could seriously use a green purse myself.
I am planning to get involved with the Baltimore area TeamHOPE. I’m already wearing my purple bracelet. My grandfather starts his Gemzar tomorrow.
Dude! Your blog isn’t working with Google Reader anymore! And I just figured it out! GACK!
Miss you!!!!!
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