21: Chemo #5!!!

Tomorrow I fly to Oahu for Chemo #5!!!! It feels like just this Monday I was feeling much better from the effects of chemo #4! This last round was really rough. The nausea subsided, however the stomach bowel issues continued. My bones aches and I get really tired. I just ignore the ache and work through it, working through this has been really good in keeping me busy and just having something to do instead of being on medical leave. My Oncologist wanted to put me out on Medical leave, but I opted to work through the Chemotherapy  instead. Really thankful to MDI (My employer) that they have worked with me with my limited availability.

Patients have been so sweet, I get lots of hugs from them. Since I have been working here for over one year, I am doing mammograms on patients that I attended in 2014. They recognize me and ask what happened, I share my story with them. I get lots of hugs, some patients have asked me if they can say a prayer with me before the leave. I have had patients tell me that I have a positive aura and they feel that I will be just fine. I get lots of compliments on my complexion, and the way I use scarves to wrap my head. And then of coarse there is always some people that are not so nice. I have been asked if I am Muslim twice! One patient asked me if I was Middle Eastern? I have been asked if I was Jewish?  I am to the point where my response is “no, I have Cancer and I have no hair, that is why I have this on my head!” One on the patients that asked me if I was Muslim, asked that in a very harsh tone in here voice. I wonder if I would have said “yes”…..would she of let me do her mammogram? Those questions are just not appropriate! This past week and a half at work has been interesting. I don’ let those people get to me, they are a small percentage compared to all the well wishers! Several patients tell me that they will look forward to seeing me for next years mammogram! Yay, they are looking forward to next years mammogram!!!!!! Mission accomplished!

I am not looking forward to the next few days as the effects of Chemo #5 set in. However I am looking forward to having my whole family together here on Maui for Christmas!!! I know that the weather in southern California has been cold, today here in Kihei the temperature reached 91 degrees!!!! Warmest Aloha to all reading this, and please feel free to share my blog if you like.