I'm still here and being persistent

It's day 2 since chemo #3 and I have to say that so far this has been the easiest one. My Dr. felt that perhaps much of my nausea was due to the fact that I was constipated and trying to eat big meals instead of snacking all day. I had already worked with my naturopath on the constipation thing since it was so painful. This time I've had some nausea but not as bad as the last 2 times so far. I'm trying to snack more which is still a challenge because I don't feel hungry but it must be helping because my stomach is a little less queasy.

Last night I went out and heard the kids perform at their Holiday Choir Concert. By the time we got home I was very tired and had a sore throat but it was nothing that a good night didn't cure. I have to be careful not to overdo I guess.

I spent most of the afternoon today working on the logistics of my neulasta shot. The Amgen reps are prepared to give me the rest of my shots free as a favor to the Pharmacy Services Dir of my insurance company - I guess it pays to be a squeaky wheel -. However, my oncologists office is not cooperating and refused to sign for the shots for me. They claim that 1 they can't afford to "waste 4 samples on 1 patient" and 2 they don't have a license to dispense medicine. What a crock! What do they do with the free samples they get during the course of the year - dispense them. Also what do they call the drugs they give out in the chemo room - dispensing. I called all kinds of folks today trying to find someone who could help me. Finally with my Dad's help (he suggested it - thanks Dad) I got a hold of the pharmacy dir for the pharmacy where I originally got my 1st shot and he said he would be glad to help me. In other words he was more than happy to dispense the shot to me and then have Amgen pay him back. I'm waiting to hear back from him right now so I can get my shot today.

I was going to risk it and not take the shot but I'd really rather not. Dr. Q. said that my bloodwork has been looking so fabulous that I make taking chemo seem easy. It's hard to know if it's the shot or just my good fortune. I am strong, young and in relatively good shape. All of these things I would think count in my favor in terms of my blood counts being up and good.

I am so grateful that I have people in my life who encourage me to keep on keeping on and being persistent. When I joked with a high level Dr. today about the fact that if I was nothing else I was a determined and persistent woman he said "Lisa, you have cancer, you have to be persistent.". Are there any areas of your life where you need to be persistent but are tired? I know I have some of those in my life too. Perhaps we can help each other keep on keeping on. I'll cheer you on and you can cheer me on. You go girl or guy! It's a great day to be alive! Peace.