Thursday I had the fifth chemotherapy infusion. It still took all day, from 8:30 to 3:30, because they had to wait to get the go-ahead from the oncologist becuase I had a low blood concentration of neutrophils which are a type of white blood cells that the chemo drugs kill off. Supposedly they decline until day 12, and then increase again. They have been a bit low at the end of each cycle, but were lower this time. I guess not too low. Each time it reminds me that I am immunocompromised which is probably a good thing to keep in mind.
As I hope you can tell from the selfie, having the chemotherapy feels like an airplane flight- across the United States, or maybe between the US and Europe. The chair is like a big airplane seat, which I am stuck in and nauseous the whole time and I have ginger ale to drink. The ginger ale makes it a US flight, or at least a US airline. Then at the end, the arrival, I stand up, gather my things from around the chair, go outside where it is too bright, and feel disoriented and as if time has been lost.
Just one cycle left to do, in another three weeks. It is definitely getting more uncomfortable, especially the five days of steroids, which is what I am doing now, and post-steroid hangover which will start on Tuesday. But I am very thankful that overall I am in good shape so, for example, the day before this most recent infusion I went on a very nice nine mile hike along the shore of Owasco lake into Auburn.
You went on a nine-mile hike? That’s wonderful, Saskya!
It was wonderful.
You have your eyebrows!
There are actually only a few strategically placed remaining eyebrow hairs that all rallied to show up for that photo.
The end’s in sight! Most people your age and not undergoing chemo can’t do a 9 mile walk. What will you accomplish once you’ve recovered – Kilimanjaro, perhaps? Hang in! and hope to see you soon.
Kilimanjaro would be an adventure. Want to join me Ellen?
Wow! That nine mile walk is an inspiration! We are rooting for you here in the houses of the Browns. We are all in the Presidio.
The chemo is daunting. We are also grateful you are getting the treatments and that it is working.
It is very nice that all you Browns have all ended up at the Presidio!
Saskya, thanks for sharing. My prayers are with you.
Thank you Paul
So glad you’re done with that one. xoxo
Me too!
What a wise, brave woman you are! Walk just perfect to connect yourself with life. Take care. Thoughts with you.
It did feel like the perfect thing.
Happy Midsommar/Juhannus Eeva
Wow Saskya! What a JOURNEY!! You are definitely a marvelous adventurer, sort of an astronaut going to the moon and back. It is very good to hear what the view from those windows is like, what the sun looks like when you are that upclose to it, and how its heat burns. The side effects and the nausea. I am hoping big time that this adventure can end soon so you can simply look back on it as that, an adventure you might not want to do again, but that you learned great things from!
I am sending you all of my love!! Always! In deepest and highest admiration and gratitude for who you are. A marvelous, amazing beautiful friend whom I adore! -Naoli
Thank you Naoli. I am trying to think of it as an adventure like that!
Saskya, I like the airplane analogy. I hope you’re flying to someplace fun while you sit there!!
Saskya, thanks for the update. Glad you could do a nine mile hike, and hope the steroid days are not too bad. Hope to see you soon.
Thank you for bringing us up to date & huzzah for that one gone!!
Your journey is on our minds.
I didn’t know it’s that hard to fly to Europe… hope they showed some good films, photos, played music, or something. I think they have to take you so close level zero as possible. It’s good to hear that they are careful with that. A friend of mine died in the process in Helsinki for some years ago, and I’m so happy to hear that the therapy is done with special care in your case! Your walk was not so bad either! Best greetings from us all!
Ok, it was harder than flyings to Europe, but I did have to awkwardly collect up all my things from around my feet when I left, like on an airplane. And it took about the same amount of time as it takes to fly from NY to Arlanda.
There weren’t films. I read The Beggar and the Hare by Tuomas Kyrö which was pretty entertaining.
Yes, they want to make me very weak but I can tell they really don’t want to kill me.
Nine miles?!! Wow! As Ellen said, how many folks your age can do a 9-mile hike even when not undergoing chemo? This is very impressive Saskya. Keep going. If Ellen does not join you on Kilimanjaro adventure, I will. ??
-RP
OK, Kilimanjaro. But weren’t we were going to go to Iceland?
Glad to hear you strongly made it out of another treatment! Our thoughts are with you and we really miss you guys!
Thank you Francine. We miss you too. It feels so strange to be away from your family for so long.
Saskya–just learned of your plight through the FB post! So very sorry to hear but grateful to see you are weathering the ordeal in pretty good shape. I will be thinking of you and praying for a speedy and full recovery. Hope to talk with you and Andy before too long, Love, Dan
Thanks for the good wishes Dan. I am happy that yesterday was, hopefully, my last chemotherapy at least for a while.
I hope we get to catch up soon.