Well the first three days post my first 2-day cycle of chemo has come and gone with some peaks and valleys. The hardest was overnight Friday night until late Saturday night when my medication to prevent nausea started to wear off. I didn’t sleep much Friday night which likely didn’t help on Saturday either. I would put nausea on a scale of moderate to high at certain points in that first 24 hours. Luckily the two meds I have to help with it worked well but I still struggled to eat. I was able to get down and few crackers, a small bit of soup and a bit of plain pasta that day which was better than nothing. Drinking has been very difficult and remains so. Nothing tastes good or at least not for long bur hydrating is key so just forcing myself through. All that said I was still able to get out and walk a while. I did end up spending most of the day on my porch just resting. Interestingly one of the worst parts of the day was some never ending hiccups that lasted for about two hours that are compounded by acid reflux. No fun, but tolerable.

Sunday was definitely better. Only had to take one nausea med that day and was able once again to get out and walk for a while. Aimee and I also took a drive down to Newport so we could check on the renovations going on with one of our apartment rentals. Excited for that too be finished so we can stay there while we do construction to our house next door.

We spent some time walking around town. The weather was beautiful and streets were packed.

Aimee was even able to get a delicious lobster roll.

My food intake improved with some oatmeal in the morning and even a slice pizza for lunch, followed by some more pasta that evening. Drinking still rough and the acid reflux continues. Lex came over late Sunday and brought cupcakes and I was easily able to down one of those. Glad my taste for baked goods hasn’t waned!

And here we are at Monday. Aimee and I woke to do a 2 mile walk.

After we got back my parents came over for brunch (1.5 bagels and crème cheese for me). Today my nausea has dropped a bit (still took one med) but I definitely feel more tired. I was able to take a nap from around 1130-130 outside. Aimee and I ended up taking a drive in the afternoon to a local ice cream place where we both got something but I couldn’t finish it…just wasn’t feeling it which is really odd for me given my love of ice cream. The big thing for the day was dinner. Finally had some protein; a small piece of chicken and it was delicious. That along with some mashed potatoes and a couple of sweet red peppers and a cupcake (or two) and I am calling it a successful day of eating. Drinking remains very difficult but I’m getting it done .

So there it is, the first few days after chemo complete. As crappy as it was for a couple of days it’s all totally manageable and I’m hopeful that this is representative of things to come. I believe my overall fitness, my support network, and my positive attitude (along with some great meds) will get me through the next eleven weeks of treatment. I’m still able to get outside and walk, eat, see my family, and take long drives which are all bonuses.

This week should be pretty relaxed as it was a planned week off from work to gauge the full effects of my first chemo cycle. I can definitely feel more fatigue settling in but again nothing that I can’t manage. I’m hoping to get out and maybe run a bit this week and see how that feels. Even though I’m off work I’m really looking forward to joining a few calls with some of my team and clients.

I have no idea what tomorrow will bring but I do know it will be a great day! And I hope yours is too.