I realize that I’m a little behind in my blog update for this week. It’s largely because my nails were too long, and I can’t stand the feel of the laptop keys when they get like that. No. For real. It’s a thing, and I was just too tired to take care of them until now. It shouldn’t even be a thing because last time I was on chemo, my nails tore and broke at the slightest provocation. Maybe the difference is that I am not on dexamethasone this time? I have no idea.
Anyway…
I don’t have much of an update except to say that I saw an oncologist (not my oncologist, she’s on vacation or something) who knows that being on temozolomide is kind of awful but assured me I should remain at my 110mg dose for as long as it is possible. The highest tolerable dose is what I should be throwing at the tumor, and so that’s what I continue to do.
My next MRI and doctors appointment are scheduled for around the first week in November, and I continue to have labs done every 2 weeks.
My labs haven’t changed much at all in comparison with the baseline that was established before I started chemo, so my bloodwork indicates that I’m tolerating the stuff fairly well—even if it’s having a pretty severe impact on my pain and fatigue.
This month I’ve been trying to do a Zentangle a day. Here are a few of the tangles I’ve created so far, all despite Izzy’s interference. (In the featured image at the top of the page, she’s actually sitting on top of the page I was trying to draw on. Because of course she is.)
I said this was going to be a brief update, and I meant it. I’m trying to make sure I have enough energy to get some things done around the house today, including folding four loads of laundry.
Sorry for the delay in posting. I know some people only read the blog and start to wonder if I’m absent for a bit. I will make an effort to keep up with my Sunday schedule, but with chemo I am not promising anything!
Your Zentangles are gorgeous!! I don’t want to add any pressure to you, but would you be willing to sell me one/make one just for me (that I buy)? (I don’t want to mess up your collection in your sketchbook). I like collecting art, and these are so awesome. No timeline, no pressure of deadlines.
I will happily send you one no charge! This message got trapped in moderation, or I would have replied sooner. Is there any one in particular that you like? If I don’t still have it, I can do my best to replicate it.
I’m glad to hear you’re hanging in there, as well as can be expected under the circumstances.
Those Zentangles are beautiful! (Izzy’s pretty cute, too.)
Thanks! 😊
Oh Emily Suess, I first saw your beautiful zentangle YouTube and then I googled for your blog. That is when I learned you have been dealing with cancer.
All good blessings upon your treatment and your return to good health. You are a remarkable person and an inspiration. I am praying for you,
Mary
Thank you, Mary. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to respond, but I appreciate you taking the time to leave an encouraging comment!
I am glad to see you have replied recently. Hadn’t seen you tangling on YouTube for a while, so I came over here to see what you might have been up to. Hope you are feeling a bit better by now? Will you be up for more tangling again soon? Happy Spring!
I keep wanting to do a video (and actually have a product review type post I need to do) but life keeps throwing my curveballs. Hoping to have a new video soon, but as always I can’t promise anything. Health being what it is.