Round 2 went something like round 1. The time at the cancer center was longer because I was scheduled for 7.15am but the nurse practitioner who approves my chemo drugs doesn’t get to work till 9am. So I was hanging out, reading. After my chemo got approved, all went smooth but was just a long day. I put on my fanny pack of chemo and off I went. Here are a couple of my observations after having my second round: The throat being sensitive to cold is enhanced. Lukewarm water is not ok. My water needs to be heated. My younger sister and her husband sent me the song “Feeling hot, hot, hot” by The Merrymen and it makes me smile and also describes how I like my plain water. Good luck getting that song out of your head! Some mild nerve issues (neuropathy) in the joints of my thumbs. My skin breaks out right after chemo which is dumb. Not only is my body going through crazy hormonal changes with night sweats and randomly wide awake at 3am, I also get to look like a middle schooler with my face broken out. Cool. So blessed. The nausea comes and goes and is not too bad but it is enough to make me feel just off. But we got through it. My port was disconnected this morning and now we are in recovery and build mode. And this is the part I am excited about. This I am familiar. Years of sports and CrossFit has honed my body to be able to withstand a hard workout. And chemo is a physical beating to the body. I know how to work hard to get my body in shape to where I am feeling my best. I felt really good leading into my second treatment. I felt strong. But it is not just the physical. Often, the mental aspect has been harder than the physical. Sometimes I find myself just wanting things to work out or just a break. There are so many unknowns or not sure how it is all going to get figured out, but it will. While I don’t enjoy being in this space of unknowns, I know I am mentally determined to beat cancer. (Sometimes I don’t like all the battle terminology but other times, I’m not sure how else to state it). I continue to manifest myself in perfect health. I dream of the beach with my family, seeing all three kids graduate high school and college, if they choose. I look forward to growing older and grayer with Chris. So we continue to move forward. Tomorrow, I look forward to feeling better than today.

Liz