With the first batch of chemo now in my body, some silent changes are taking place.  My red blood cells (the ones that carry oxygen to my parts) are diminishing which will start to sap my energy.  Being fatigued isn’t being tired.  It’s being exhausted. So far I’m pretty good, but last night when I got tired, I had a different reaction.  Instead of just yawning, my nose went numb.  It was back to normal this morning though.  There’s something wrong with being able to smell your fingers, but not feel your nose.  Random numbness is a pretty normal thing with this cocktail of chemo I’m told.  

Also, my white blood cells (the ones that fight infection and disease) have been downsized.  It’s an unfortunate casualty, especially for a germ freak like me.  I need to stay out of crowds, avoid uncooked foods, and wear a mask around sick people.  (And I work with a lot of sick people..) My battle with the germ thing has always been that, while I supply the studio with Purell, and am always hyper-aware of restaurant cashiers who handle money and food with the same hands, I still bite my nails.  It doesn’t make sense, but I do.  With my resistance being so low, that lovely habit has to die.  But with stress being up, and little bits of cuticle constantly inviting me in for a bite like the food sample lady at Costco, I have to resist.  It’s not worth the downside.  

All in all though, the first round of chemo has been kind so far.  I’ve been able join you in the mornings on the radio, get some work done, and try to begin to respond to an inbox full of very supportive email and comments.  

Also, my sister Terry’s lumpectomy went as well as it could.  No lymph node involvement, and clear margins.  We’re all very excited about that. Her chemo will actually be more effective since they’ve determined that her cancer was more aggressive than originally thought, and chemo likes to eat aggressive cells.

As I told Terry, it’s amazing what passes for good news these days.