H-H-H-Hand Washing City, Here We Come

Have had a seriously sleepy week since receiving systemic chemotherapy last Tuesday and Wednesday. The systemic chemo is the combination of 4 chemotherapeutics given over two days, the objective being to keep the tumors elsewhere in her body in control. Seems to be working well, since her swallowing continues to be flawless and her appetite is raging. The major issue now is that the thrush came back with vengeance after systemic chemo. Thrush is a fungal infection that likes to take advantage of people with low immune systems, and it can show up in the mouth right down the throat. Side note: it's especially common in baby's, which is yet another reason breastfeeding is such a great source of nutrition for infants because they benefit from their mother's immunities. But I digress... Mom's thrush is making it painful to talk, and she's happiest drinking smooth soups and broths these days, but weight is steady at 137.9 lbs this morning. We're just going to keep the creamy soups and snack packs flowing.

I, however, am gaining PLENTY of sympathy weight: 6 lbs to be exact. Thank you ice cream pie with chocolate rice crispie crust. Thank you death by chocolate. Thank you blueberry pie. Thank you Ben & Jerry. I have also gained gym membership.

All the side effects are totally expected with the systemic chemotherapeutics: mouth sores, thrush, diarrhea (cha cha cha), and complete and utter exhaustion. On the other hand, she's experiencing minimal pain otherwise, and barely any nausea. We take the good with the bad these days.

Other exciting news: we're the proud new owners of multiple safety bars to help Mom ambulate around the house, and she's also scored herself a snazzy new walker with a seat. There is a very cool program in Unionville, CT through The Center of Elderly Services, called The Loan Closet. We learned about it through our physical therapist (from McLean, THE BEST), and anyone who has unused medical equipment can drop it off, and anyone who needs it, can call, get on a waiting list, and pick it up. Use it for 6 days, weeks, months, doesn't matter, just return it when you're finished. It's recycling at it's purest. Think of all the pairs of crutches, walkers, shower chairs, that people might use for a month or two, are in pristine condition, and end up at the dump? We're big fans and highly recommend it for all your medical equipment needs.

Still LOVING every bite of our Helping Hands food deliveries. We've been nauching on vegetarian lasagna, beef stew, cream of chicken soup, butternut squash apple puree, corn on the cob, and the list goes on and on. We are eternally grateful. There is nothing like not having to think about what's for dinner after spending a day at the cancer center.

Mom being broke out of the house by Marilyn for a tea date at Passiflora in New Hartford.

Sunday morning eggs benedict.

The english muffins and bacon were a little tough going down, but she housed the poached eggs, holondaise, and spinach, no problemo.

Today we're at the cancer center, one week after getting systemic chemo, and Mom's white blood cell counts are too low to receive intrathecal chemo. We're not terribly surprised, because the week after is when counts are expected to drop. Because her counts are so low, she's considered "neutropenic," which means no raw fruits or vegetables, no fresh flowers, and absolutely NO visitors that are feeling at all sub par or who've been exposed to anyone who's sick. She virtually has zero immune system. I might just hose down Gwennie in the driveway after she gets home from work.