You know your perspective has shifted when you’re grateful that you can still taste the hospital coffee in all its glory.
Today was my second full day of chemotherapy after I only received half of my meds on Tuesday (refer to that day’s post to learn why).
By now, the routine has set in for me. I know roughly when the nurses come to do their checks, when meals are served, and when you’re actually hooked up to the chemo meds.
In terms of side effects, I don’t really have anything to report at this point. I don’t feel particularly tired, I am in no pain, and when I briefly considered I might be experiencing the first onset of nausea earlier today, it turned out it was just close to lunch and I was hungry.
I also had another close friend visit me today and like yesterday, it really was the highlight of the whole day. I have been incredibly fortunate over the past few years to accumulate a group of people around me that I can only describe as the most remarkable, loving, and wisest individuals I could ever have dreamed up.
One more thing that I want to mention is that the nursing staff was a bit more stressed than usual today because they were two people short. One of them confided in me that this led to some tensions with some of the patients because of longer waiting times. I felt for both the staff and my fellow patients. The staff because they do an incredibly labour- and emotionally-intensive job dedicated entirely to the care of others and clearly were doing the best they could with the situation they found themselves in. And the other patients because, just like me, they got a scary diagnosis and are now undergoing a highly intensive and for many painful healing process, and of course all you want in that moment is to be relieved of it.
For today, I am grateful that I get another evening where I can just relax and wind down. Tomorrow will be dealt with once it arises.
Be well everyone, catch you soon!
just thoughts 