Shermance's Cancer Fight: Chemo Round 3. 2nd Round WINNER: A draw!

The three weeks following round 2 of chemo were a rollercoaster of emotions, sleeplessness and nausea - the physical effects were most debilitating the first 5 days but the emotional effects lasted throughout, but I'm not going to say Shermance lost that round because she toughed it out. She didn't miss a day of work, she kept her attitude positive, and she maintained the high level of energy in public so most people were none the wiser. It was draining, but she's a fighter. She once said, "It's hard for other people to know the struggle that I'm feeling, because to them I act so normal." Needless to say it's a constant FIGHT!

The hours after Round 3 were similar to Round 2. She felt fine immediately afterwards, enough that we could grab a light lunch at Olive Garden, but by the time we got home she was achy, tired (but not sleepy), and on the edge of nausea. This time though she didn't force herself to be with the family and extended family that came to visit for support - she just went to our room to try and rest. This time she didn't wait until she was already sick to take the nausea meds. At the earliest sign of sickness she took them. When the time came, she also took the sleeping meds, a new one this time Terazapam - which is supposed to knock her butt out. She was leary taking so many pills yesterday, afraid that taking one more each time might throw her over the edge for another round of stomach wrenching, but fortunately the bouts of nausea were minimal, though there were a few scary moments that she had to rush to the bathroom. She didn't want to be touched, though a few hugs were welcomed. No one could touch the bed for fear of setting off another sickness episode. She just wanted her hand held and someone to be by her side.

Yesterday she continued to be uplifted by support and friendship. She opened cards of encouragement (thanks Reicherts), received purple flowers for hope/survival (thanks Wilkes), and a completely unexpected gift from her friend at Tae Kwon Do. While she was resting, Nancy dropped by and delivered a very unassuming box and asked that we give it to Shermance when she woke up. I presented her with the box after telling her some uplifting news about my work that I just heard. So she was already in good spirits, but the gift was so overwhelming that all she could do was cry, she couldn't express words enough for her gratitude. In the box was a hand-written note that said "Shermance, Keep fighting like a girl, Love Nancy" and what she gave was her Tae Kwon Do World Championship medal that she won the week prior for sparing. AMAZING! This is something Nancy has worked so incredibly hard for over many, many years and she gave the fruits of her labor to Shermance to give her strength and encouragement. WOW! Shermance was blown away!

In the evening, Shermance was able to eat a small portion of her Mom's famed Chicken and Dumpling broth and keep it down. Family left early and the kidos played outside so Shermance could rest. When it came time for bed, the kids readied in a hurry, drank-up the root beer float treat their Mimi had bought for them, and said prayers and sang our good night song around Shermance on the couch where she moved to try to watch a show.

She rested well and this morning we have Shermance back! She's not 100% but not nausious and way better than the last time. In her words she "doesn't feel like death", but she has noticed some changes in her eyesight that we'll watch closely.