This has gotta be the good life
This could really be a good life, good life
Say oh, got this feeling that you can't fight
Like this city is on fire tonight
This could really be a good life
A good, good life - One Republic
Learning you have cancer can really change your outlook on life. You begin to appreciate and find joy in the small things in life and that you can live your best life. You also learn to take advantage of any break in treatment to do something for yourself.
"Round One done and dusted"
I have finally finished Round One of chemo!!!! The fifth cycle was a little problematic as my platelet count was too low and chemo had to be pushed back a week. But the extra week break was exactly what I needed and my platelet count was back to normal and cycle five went ahead as normal. Cycle six went off without a hitch however, the side effects really kicked my ass for the last two cycles. Alongside chemo, I have had to give myself an injection called Pegfilgratism which is used to stimulate the growth of healthy white blood cells. Its not fun having to jab yourself in the stomach but I suppose I should be used to needles by now! So now that Round one is over, I am having a much needed break from chemo while I have and recover from my liver surgery. Once I have recovered enough, Round Two will begin. But for now, I can start eating ice cream again. Let's be honest, I never really stopped but at least now I can have it without being in pain!! It really is a good life when you can eat ice cream!!
The end of Round One also saw the removal of the dreaded PICC line. I can't even explain how excited and relieved I was when it came out. No more plastic sleeves to cover the line, no more skin reactions to dressing, not as many visits to the District Health Nurses, no more catching the line on door handles, or worrying about one of the dogs accidentally ripping the line out. And finally, no more people staring at me and wondering what is wrong with me when I wear short sleeved shirts. So the plan is to insert a Portacath during liver surgery which is going to make life so much easier. It's amazing how something as mundane as removing a PICC line can make you feel so much better about yourself.
I've been floating on cloud nine since finding out that chemo is working. It's still hard to believe that everything is working and I feel like I'm finally getting control of my life back. A cancer diagnosis can really mess with your sense of control so while I am on a break from treatment, I decided to take that control back and booked a flight back home to Wellington. I spent the weekend just gone in Wellington and it was the best thing I have done for myself since being diagnosed. Since being diagnosed I have not been alone. You can guarantee that almost every hour of every day since d-day, I have always had someone with me. I guess I was scared to be alone in case something happened. But it also meant that I lost my independence. So being back home in Wellington meant relying on myself, being independent again and finally being in control of my life. Lunches with friends, dinners with friends, drinks to celebrate an engagement, a wedding dress fitting, shopping and karaoke kept me busy the entire weekend. But it felt like a normal weekend for me. I also popped into work and spent a few hours immersed in work and work dramas which made me feel like I was still apart of that work environment. Plus, I got to spend time with some of my amazing work family.
It was good to have some time to myself, to do things for myself and to just be myself again. I didn't have to worry about cancer, or chemo, or surgery, or what appointments I have coming up. It was almost as if my life had returned to the way it was before cancer. I was reminded about the good life I had before cancer but it also made me realise how good life is even with cancer. I have amazing friends and family and things I still want to do and accomplish and I can still enjoy a good life even with a cancer diagnosis.
"Home is where the Heart is"
I've been floating on cloud nine since finding out that chemo is working. It's still hard to believe that everything is working and I feel like I'm finally getting control of my life back. A cancer diagnosis can really mess with your sense of control so while I am on a break from treatment, I decided to take that control back and booked a flight back home to Wellington. I spent the weekend just gone in Wellington and it was the best thing I have done for myself since being diagnosed. Since being diagnosed I have not been alone. You can guarantee that almost every hour of every day since d-day, I have always had someone with me. I guess I was scared to be alone in case something happened. But it also meant that I lost my independence. So being back home in Wellington meant relying on myself, being independent again and finally being in control of my life. Lunches with friends, dinners with friends, drinks to celebrate an engagement, a wedding dress fitting, shopping and karaoke kept me busy the entire weekend. But it felt like a normal weekend for me. I also popped into work and spent a few hours immersed in work and work dramas which made me feel like I was still apart of that work environment. Plus, I got to spend time with some of my amazing work family.
It was good to have some time to myself, to do things for myself and to just be myself again. I didn't have to worry about cancer, or chemo, or surgery, or what appointments I have coming up. It was almost as if my life had returned to the way it was before cancer. I was reminded about the good life I had before cancer but it also made me realise how good life is even with cancer. I have amazing friends and family and things I still want to do and accomplish and I can still enjoy a good life even with a cancer diagnosis.
This could really be a good life, a good, good life!!!
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