Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Is it January Yet???

While I was busy trying to kick cancers ass, chemo was kicking mine! So where have I been the last few days.......sleeping, not talking because chemo steals my voice within 24 hours of treatment and more exhausted then I ever felt in my life.....keep in mind that between 1991 and 1992 within an 11th month period I had the last of my two babies (Irish Twins) and for some reason with every baby I had to have a puppy too! I thought I knew exhaustion.....now I know it from the inside out.

Sunday I lost what was left of my hair and I'm still trying to get used to the bald chick in the mirror with lifeless eyes and apparently I over did things by taking a shower and trying to master the stairs only to get within steps of my bedroom before passing out and hitting a wall.....what I didn't know was I was completely dehydrated and my blood pressure was 64/48.....not enough water this time. I thought I would drink less so I could sleep the night without the 2 trips to the potty........WRONG! Good thing once I learn something the hard way I don't repeat the same mistake. So yesterday was spent at the hospital being re hydrated and scolded for not calling the Doctor about the fall.....so now I know that the 3rd through 5 days following chemo are gonna pretty much suck but by that 7th day I start to feel 100% better with each passing day. So thank you GOD for that beautiful harvest moon last month, the gorgeous colors of Fall and that blessed week in between chemo drips and chemo side effects!

And how vicious is cancer that it turned me against chocolate and pizza?? One slice of buttered toast with a lil peanut butter and a lil jelly is my saving grace right now and I am going to look into that water that is fortified full of all good stuff for a lil extra boost when I have no appetite to replenish my system.

So is Cancer tough? Yup! Is chemo even tougher? ...yup! But you know what is even tougher? A really pissed off Irish Woman.....and I'll be damned if I'm gonna let cancer keep me down for long........like the song says...."I've got a lot of living to do!"

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

The chemo HAS to be tougher; that's how it whoops cancer's ass!  You are tough, that's for sure.  God bless you today.

Anonymous said...

wow you are the most inspiring woman in my life, and I am not just saying that to make you feel better, although I hope it does help with that, but really you are so determined, and I love that fire in your eyes, I can see it through your pictures, You will win this battle, we are al praying you do, so keep it up you DO have a lot of living left to do
Missy

Anonymous said...

So here comes the hats and the earrings. And tough friend please take care of yourself, your very important to alot of ppl. And not like chocolate oh know i didnt hear you say that did i ?

            ~~~Robin~~~

Anonymous said...

Kim, You're an amazing woman, and you're beautiful both inside and out. Don't forget that when you're looking at the bald woman in the mirror. The hair will come back, but life is something we don't get back, that's why the chemo has to be tougher to kick cancers ass! I admire your strength. You're an inspiration to so many women, especially those of us who are not sure yet if we'll be traveling that same road. I'll keep praying for you.

Hugs, Mandy ~  http://journals.aol.com/mmartinez07/UnhappilyEverAfter/entries/2006/10/08/chicken-noodle-breasts/943

Anonymous said...

that seems so fast, how the hair came out.....but you are certainly a force to be reckoned with....and why/how does the chemo mess with your voice? take care and keep on kicking ass!
tina

Anonymous said...

 Just keep kicking that cancers butt.   The hair will come back as strong as you will be when this is over.

                Julie

Anonymous said...

keep kicking that cancers butt!  your in my thoughts and prayers.
Sharon

Anonymous said...

Lost hair is a small price to pay for your life, Kim. Keep kicking cancer's butt - it's the chemo doing it as well, remember :-)

Anonymous said...

The WARRIOR is back!!!  I am so happy about that!  Linda

Anonymous said...

I think you are so amazingly strong!!! God bless you.
love  ya,carlene

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Anonymous said...

No. It's not January yet but its nearly November, so we are getting there.

There is another plus side to Chemo, apart from gettin gto kick Cancer's Ass, think of the money you save on hair products. LOL. I know, bad taste but if you don't laugh at the crap, what's the alternative???

Linda x

Anonymous said...

You know what? I'll bet you are one beautiful bald woman! Hang in there and on the bad days think ahead to the days coming up you know are going to be good!
http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind
http://adventuresofaneclecticmind.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

you go girl!!!
Becky

Anonymous said...

Kim,  I have been wondering how you were doing.  I lived with my MIL while she went through Chemo.  I know how hard it is on you.  I wish I could say it gets better.  Hang in there.  It will all be over after the first of the year.  I admire your fight more than I can tell.  David

Anonymous said...

Good for you Kim.
Keep up that great attitude!
You're in my thoughts & prayers!
Hugs,
Heather

Anonymous said...

Kim,
I have a good friend that I work with that HAD Breast Cancer too. She was out for several months on Chemo and Radiation. She is back to work, Cancer free. She beat it. You will too.Hang in. Hugs, Bam
http://journals.aol.com/reconcilinglife/reconciling-life/

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Anonymous said...

You sure have Kim...the only way is up from now on. take care x
bella xx
http://journals.aol.co.uk/lindapaterson177/IstartedofthislifewithnothingIst/

Anonymous said...

Kim, know it's not easy going through the effects of your chemo treatments and that you don't feel to good after them, but so proud of you for sticking with it and keeping your positive attitude. Don't allow yourself to get dehydrated again dear, you need hydration to keep the system working good, but sure you now know that after your treatment. Have you tried the Ensure type drinks, know alot of folks wo have and do drink them daily to keep their strength and fluid levels up.   Know you are in my thoughts and prayers always, bless you....Arlene (AJ)

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Anonymous said...

Kim,
So sorry you've been feeling bad, but thankful you
wasn't hurt in your fall...how scary that must have been.
Getting the rest you are getting is a good thing...drink lots of
fluids...I know it's hard to, when you stay so sleepy.  But most of all keep the great attitude that you have...you DO have alot of living left to do!!! =)  

Always in my prayers!

Hugss..~Terri~

Anonymous said...

It is a rough ride for sure.  My daughter was warned that the things she loved may not taste the same, so she was advised to stay away from her favorites just in case they were ruined by the chemo flavors.  Sure enough, she never had a craving for her daily mocha.  Caffeine and chocolate were both one her "avoid" list, anyway, so it was a blessing!  The doc said to just eat whatever she wanted.  I swear, she ate SO many Sonic hamburgers (her favorite) she should have turned into one!  She gained almost 50 pounds during chemo thanks to those burgers AND the prednisone!  It was very scary the first couple of rounds when she would literally sleep for three days, only coming out of her room to get a drink and pee.  I just couldn't relax.  Checking on her constantly.  Even though the two of you most likely had different chemo drugs due to different cancers, it apparently all makes you tired.  Look forward to day six, I guess.  Stay determined...you can do this!  Jae

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Anonymous said...

I just wanted you to know I am still around and reading along to find out how you are doing.  I am so impressed with your kick butt attitude.  Girlfriend, you rock like no one else!  Your hair will grow again and beautifully too.  You are so loved out here!
NELISHIA
http://journals.aol.com/nelishianatl/WISHINGANDHOPING/
http://journals.aol.com/tsalagiprincess1/JumpingOffTheDeepEnd/

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear your woes, Kimberleigh, but as always, your determination to beat this thing shines through!! January will be here before you know it. Until then, rest drink water, and take it slow...

Hugs,
Carol

Anonymous said...

AWWW!  Big hugs Kim!!!  I am praying for you and hope you gain some strength and feel more alive this week!! And you are so right you have alot of living left to do!! Stay strong for your kids and keep kicking azz!  I am sure I would be too over whelmed with it all!! Take care of yourself friend and get plenty of rest!  TerryAnn

Anonymous said...

You are so tough!  Truly an inspiration!
Ash

Anonymous said...

Chemo is tough...I think getting the water is a great idea...and yes....your a strong Irish woman who will have alot of amazing adventures ahead....from reading your journal....my biggest worry is if you will get the rest you will need...in my gut...I know you will beat this...but that fall could have been horrible...and I know you know that..so not trying to bang a drum...just wanting the best for you....this season wll be over soon....your hair will grow back..and then you should get an airplane to Paris...and celebrate...-Raven

Anonymous said...

((((((((((((( Kim )))))))))))))

You are one amazing person.......keep smiling
Hugs
Jayne

Anonymous said...

It's amazing how important water is!!!!! I just wished I liked the taste more!!!! LOL.... http://journals.aol.com/shayshaydc/Golfaholic
Sharon:)