Round 11 is officially done, and it was an eventful day from start to finish! My Breast Buddy Karen joined me for today’s adventure, which started, as many Karen mornings do, with a little bit of rushing. She called to let me know she’d arrive at 6:09 a.m. instead of the intended 6:00 a.m.—classic Karen. Then came another message: she was stopped by a train. Cue the Jeopardy theme song in my head as I waited. But, as always, Karen came through, and we hit the road right on schedule. I’m not the biggest fan of being a passenger, so I had to channel some serious faith while hearing Michael Jackson’s Speed Demon playing in my head. To her credit, the highway wasn’t too bad, and we made it to my 6:45 a.m. lab check-in on time. For the first time, I did my labs in the Mangurian building, which was a new experience. Then we marched over to the Davis building for my appointment with Nurse Gina—another first. She was incredibly thorough, asking about every possible symptom under the sun and reviewing my treatment plan with care. She even told me how amazing she thought I was based on my responses. It felt great to hear that. This journey has been a war, and while I know I’m fighting with everything I’ve got, it’s nice to have someone else acknowledge it.
After our chat, Karen and I returned to the Mangurian building for my treatment. I’ve been there so much that the check-in staff knows me by face and name (and probably my birthday), though they still confirm it every time. It’s nice to be remembered, but I wish it were under different circumstances.
A side note: Back in the day, I used to watch daytime soaps and dream about being a regular at a restaurant like the Abbotts were. They’d walk in, and everyone would know their name and their order. Fast forward to today, and I rarely go out to eat, so that dream has fizzled. I’ll have to find a new way to achieve that kind of positive recognition. Ideas are welcome!
While we waited for the chemo show to begin, Karen got a sneak peek of the Tainted Titty blog. I think she appreciated hearing the raw truth of what I’ve been going through—things I don’t always share out loud. Nurse Jessica was with me during treatment, and we shared some good laughs. Karen even relaxed enough to drift off for a brief nap, complete with a soft snore. What is it with my chemo companions and their adorable snores? Oddly, my Benadryl pre-med lacked the usual potency which meant no usual nap for me. Instead, I found myself holding the remote more than usual. I finished watching Something from Tiffany’s (Sorry, Melissa!) and then switched to Catfish.
Later that evening, I settled into my chair at home, which clearly has a mind of its own. It wrapped its metaphorical arms around me and pulled me into an unexpected nap. This was unusual—I usually have extra energy the day of and after treatment. But this time, I slept for hours.
I keep thinking about Nurse Marti’s warning that weeks 10–12 would take longer to bounce back from. Maybe this is what she meant.
As I reflect on today, I’m reminded of how far I’ve come and how close I am to finishing this cycle. One more round to go until the next phase. The finish line is in sight, and I’m ready to cross it with faith, humor, and gratitude for everyone who’s been by my side.
On to Round 12—let’s do this!
