I lost another 1.4 lbs this chemo week. For a total of 14.4 since quitting dex (about a month ago).

I’ve for sure got the pounds to lose right now, but I’m concerned about sustaining this through the rest of my treatments, because I’m not in control of this loss. It’s just one more thing that’s happening to me.

This round of chemo was the worst to date, and I’m confident it’s because I didn’t have the steroid to mitigate the side effects.

One side effect of the chemo that I haven’t mentioned before (because I was only sort-of aware of it) is a crushing depression and anxiety.

Anxiety asks: What if this god-awful hell isn’t temporary like you think it is. What if you can’t get the chemo out?

And Depression answers: Of course it’s permanent now. Since when did you become such an optimist, Anxiety?

And then I’ll read about someone in my brain tumor group having their tumor 97% cut out and I’ll cry to Dan. “They can’t cut mine out. I have to keep it.”

It’s rough. Some days this thing reduces me to a five year old that doesn’t understand why she doesn’t get presents at her friend’s birthday party too.

Other days I’m like, “Want to see where they cut my head open?”

Anyway that depression goes on for the last 24 to 48 hours of chemo week, and then I wake up on the 8th morning with the cloud gone, and I’m chatty and happy and smiling. I feel sort of silly for being so emotional.

But that’s cancer. And that’s chemo.