Chemo Round #3: Less Steroid, More Sleep

Last week I experienced slightly more side-effects, which were niggling my body and brain while writing my update early the next morning.  Turns out I did have to sit out my early class of the day, the "Summerwood Gals" kindly reminding me to take care of myself and advising me to try to get more sleep.  So, while I missed one class, the rest of Thursday was business-as-usual, as was Friday & Saturday. 

Those days I worked alongside a case of mild nausea.  I was still able to spend a few hours painting calligraphy, walking with a dear, former neighbor, scaring the crap out of another one, as he worked in his yard with headphones on high volume, and kept my appointment to see Cristina Libenson who, if all goes well, will be providing her photo shoot experience with me in December, thanks to a generous and wonderful artist and friend of mine.  I had a lovely offering of El Caribe soup from my sweet landlords, which hit the spot on a rainy, dreary day and on Sunday went to the Umlauf Sculpture Garden to honor the late, gentle giant and kindest-hearted kid I'd ever met, Graham Carter, aka Trofy.  He was a prolific street artist who has painted murals all over the states and in an impressive list of foreign countries including Spain, Italy, Cambodia and Mexico.  May he RIP and his family and friends be surrounded by his sweet spirit.

Today I met with Lana again and she buoyed my spirits with how well I was doing, labs and data wise: my white blood count still normal and all other markers looking good.  She cut the dose of steroids from 10 units to 4, and we will see if I sleep better tonight with the adjustment.  I easily made my holiday pet-care rounds and am now cozily ensconced with my charge Lily, sitting fireside and listening to Carla Bruni.

This Thanksgiving has me mired deeply in gratitude for the love, the support, the care and positivity I've received from so many people far and wide.  I haven't had the chance to properly thank all the amazing folks who donated to my relief fund, and will be doing that for certain, but also want to say so now...the generous outpouring has helped me stay sane and out of the deep ocean of worry that medical bills and uncertainty of workability down the line lurking just a thought away.  Thank you, each of you, from the bottom of my heart, thank you!