Pump it Up

I originally wasn't going to post an update today, but have received a lot of questions. Last night was uneventful. I was tired, but couldn't sleep. I took a shallow bath and it was not as easy as I had imagined. I got clean (all but my hair), but it was a fail. Don't worry, the port and pump stayed dry. 

I did wake up around 1:30 am nauseous. I never felt like I was going to throw up, but just the uneasy gag reflex feeling. I took one of the meds for that. I kind of slept off and on all night. I went from feeling like I was having hot flashes to getting cold. Of course, I didn't want to sweat. I was NOT going to try and figure out how to bath quickly before my ride to work arrived. Well, actually I drive and she rides...too much gas for her. When I got up, I took the steroids and zofran. Zofran gives me headaches and I don't like it, but I had taken the other med in the middle of the night. I managed to figure something out with my hair. Hopefully, it didn't look too bad!

I realized that my feet felt a little off or numb after the 1 hour 20 minute drive to work. I got out of the car and felt like I needed to steady myself before getting my bag out of the car. I didn't take too much time, because Samantha was ready to speed off to get her her office. Amazingly, the day went ok. Thankfully, I didn't have any stomach issues today, which I was told to expect from the drug in the pump. I should probably not jinx myself. I also peed like a normal person today. That was such a relief after yesterday. We had a few meetings today and the pump could be heard. Once you hear it, you can't unhear it. It was a reminder that I may be feeling ok and sitting there doing my job and interacting normally, but nothing is normal right now. I am thankful for the love and prayers that have been prayed over me today and everyday. I think the noise of the pump may have been a reminder to the people around me that what I am going through right now is not normal. I did not finish all of my tasks, because I ran out of time. I have a list of things to do tomorrow before Kidlink starts. 

On the way home I got hungry! Samantha and I Doordashed a Five Guys burger, because I was craving one. I don't remember the last time I craved something so strongly.  It was SOOO good. Samantha took the dogs on a bike ride and I went with her. Well, I only went for 1 dog. I didn't want to over do it, since this was my first post surgery bike ride. Riding uses those lower core muscles more than walking and my lower ab muscles took a really big beating during surgery. On busy days, like Sunday, I feel the pain and pressure by the end of the night.

She got back with dog #2 just as our dinner arrived. Y'all, I chowed down! I didn't eat as fast as Marc does because I like to taste my food. I am typically a very slow eater, but in this case, I ate like a normal person!

After she left, my dog planted himself on about 80% of the recliner, but not in my lap! I literally had to sit sideways on the back in to fit!  As I sat there uncomfortably, and totally exhausted and ready to go to bed,  I had a brilliant idea! I decided to wash my hair in the kitchen sink. I remember doing this as a teen in my bathroom sink, surely it would work in a kitchen sink. So, I went and got the shampoo and conditioner that Amazon delivered today. I don't remember ordering it, so thank you to whoever sent it! I got a beach towel and wrapped it around me like a cape and then clipped it together at my neck. I grabbed another towel and put it over that one in an attempt to keep all of the things dry. Let me tell you, this had to be a sight and I am glad no one was here to witness it. I did manage to wash my hair, rinse, add conditioner, and rinse again all the while not soaking myself. However, I ended up soaking the whole kitchen. My teen self did not have a sink sprayer in the bathroom. My present self thought it would be a great idea to use the sprayer in the kitchen. Well, the sprayer doesn't rotate. Also, just like water skiing where you are supposed to let go of the rope and I never would, I didn't let go of the button to stop the spraying. Let's just say the bird got a shower, the bearded dragon would have if he didn't have glass shielding him, and the kitchen got mopped again. My dog never moved from the recliner; he does not like showers! 

The good news is that I remained dry!!! Well, all but my hair and arms. It is yet to be seen if I was successful in getting all of the shampoo and conditioner out of my hair. I was going to blow dry it, but remembered that one of the many people giving me instructions yesterday told me to not do too much heat styling as my hair will be fragile. It was also explained that chemo works to stop fast replicating cells from replicating, which will affect my hair, skin, and nails. I am not trying to make myself lose anymore hair than necessary, so I will try to not style too much. I don't know how long that plan will last as I don't like how my hair looks naturally just hanging there...

Up next? Well, I figured since I was in a clean myself mood, I would try out my other new Amazon thing. After my shallow bath fail, I searched Amazon for something that may work. 

TA-DA! I found rinse free bath sponges. I will know if they did the job tomorrow if I walk in a room and everyone leaves! These things...well, I don't know what to think. It said to add a little water to lather. Well, it really lathered. My hand felt like it was holding a pile of bubbles. My soap doesn't lather near as much as this stuff. So, I lathered up. What else could I do? I let it sit and then attempted to wipe it off, but it was already dry in most places. I am not too sure how I feel about these things. 

So, I am clean and smell nice, I hope. If not, I will be taking a shower and washing my hair again in the locker room at church tomorrow afternoon. This whole no shower thing really bugs me more than the hum and awkwardness of the pump. I have been known to shower more than once a day, so this is going to be hard. Of course, it means I will have less laundry. I guess that is an upside to the situation. 

Ok, so yesterday you got my bathroom habits and today you got my shower habits. You guys are going to know way too much about me when this is all over! 

Oh yeah! Back to the day! Pump is still running. We are still praying for no side effects and today they have had minimal. I think people were either surprised to see me at work today or surprised when they checked in on me and I was working. If I can be there, I will! I love my job. Now, on to the side effects from today. The cold sensitivity, headache, neuropathy, and first bite syndrome have been the things that have bothered me today. I accidentally washed my hands at home before the bike ride and came out of the bathroom cursing (but not with the bad no-no words, just the UGH type words).  I did wear gloves for the ride, but I felt lots of pins and needles when done. I equate that particular feeling to sitting on my foot for about 30 minutes and then trying to get up and the foot is asleep. It hurts and feels like pins and needles. The feeling didn't really go away. Then I washed my hands again before I ate. Samantha looked at me and laughed. I am such an avid hand washer, so it is going to be a hard thing to not do! I guess I will add this, the water is cold when I wash my hands. The hot water doesn't come out instantly...unless it is summer. If you live in Texas, you know this to be true. The cold water comes out hot in August! My hair washing was done with warm water after I let the water run for a while. 

Now I am just really really tired. I am trying to drink at least 16 more ounces of water and hope that I will actually fall asleep.