UPDATE: The winner is…Mary Marvella!
*~*~*

I’m a little muzzy-headed this morning. I woke at 1:30 AM and didn’t get back into bed until 5:30 and was up again at 7:00. I took a pain pill when I got up the first time, a nice hydro because I was generally achy, and my back in particular was making it hard to rest comfortably. It happens. I guess it could’ve happened without the Big C, too, but I like to blame the bitch anyway. 🙂

So, I’m sitting at my desk, feeling woozy, weaving a little in my chair because the hydro lingers. Not a bad feeling. I’m just wondering if I’m going to regret trying to write this post while I’m high. So forgive any typos…or anything else I write. HaHa!

This past Monday, I had my every-three-weeks immunotherapy infusion. It happened to fall on the day I had to take my Lenvima targeted chemo pills, too. While I’ve been doing well with the every-other-day pills (a general lessening of the fatigue and diarrhea), having the Keytruda infusion and the Lenvima pills on the same day walloped me. The next few days, I had to stay very, very close to the bathroom. TMI—I know. I have never had problems with my bowels before all this started. I was disgustingly regular. These days, I have to think on the daily, do I need to take an Imodium pill, and if I head out anyplace, should I be wearing Depends? Gah.

Anyway, I met with my oncologist on Monday, and he said to keep to the every other day schedule until he has a chance to see my lab work. I’m fine with that. It’s…manageable, and needs to be next week because…

I’m taking a trip! I haven’t traveled other than trips to the big city for surgeries or appointments since I was diagnosed (with Stage IV endometrial cancer, if you weren’t aware) last year. I’m not going that far. Five of my family members, including me, are heading to North Arkansas to spend five days at my sister’s place (sis is author Elle James). It’s about a four and a half-hour drive—it will be an Imodium-proofed/Depends day while on the road for sure, for me). Again, TMI, I know, I know, but I promised you all I’d always be real.

My daughter has restaurants already picked out for us to try. We live in a restaurant desert—several Mexican restaurants, one Italian, assorted burger joints, a Cracker Barrel, and another that makes good catfish—but my sister’s city boasts a bunch of ethnic restaurants, so we’ll be trying out a Lebanese place, a Korean place, a retro pizza joint with free, vintage pinball machines (for my SIL, who suffers through our food choices) and the like. We’ll also be hitting the flea markets/antique shops, because that’s our jam. She’s planning on shopping sprees and restaurant meals for late morning through mid-afternoon because she knows my energy lags and wants me home so I can wander off to bed for afternoon naps if I need them.

I’m not going to feel guilty about how everyone’s schedule is going to revolve around me and my energy/health limitations. They can head off for an evening if they want. I just want a change of scenery and to visit with my sister, anyway. At this point, I can’t imagine going on a cruise or flying anywhere. The “logistics” would be mind-bobbling.

In the meantime, my pool is crystal clear and temperature perfect for morning and early evening swims. I try to get in twice a day. My sister has a pool, too, so I won’t be missing my exercise. 🙂

Well, sorry for the boring post, but this was what was on my mind. I’m really looking forward to the trip. It may not be to some far-flung destination, but it will make me feel like I’m back “out there.” And I love road trips with the family. My SIL isn’t an “enjoy the journey” kind of traveler, but my girls and I are. We’ll probably drive him nuts with our sing-alongs, and “Ooh! Check out that sign—should we stop to have a look around?” Journey, not destination!

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card, tell me whether you make the most of the journey or are single-minded about getting to your destination when you travel!

UPDATE: The winner is…Gretchen!
*~*~*

June

 

1. I completed one set of edits and began work on another author’s edits.
2. I had the print covers for both Ultra Strokes volumes created, then uploaded them. They are both available at Amazon now!
3. I read through Ignition and actually wrote a few pages. It’s not finished, but my writer’s brain is starting to wake up!

Health-related:

1. I started a new infusion drug, Keytruda, this month. I felt fatigued for a couple of days afterward, but no worrisome side effects.
2. I began two pills a day of a targeted therapy called Lenvima. The fatigue compounded and worsened over the two weeks I stayed on it, along with a nasty bout of diarrhea that left me feeling like a wrung-out dishrag. The oncologist had me discontinue using it last Friday, and I improved immediately.
3. At today’s infusion appointment, we will discuss what to do going forward.

Happiness-related: 

1. I celebrated my birthday! Thanks to everyone who dropped by here or on FB to wish me well! I really do appreciate it!
2. I continued my participation in #the100dayproject. While the rest of the world ended their participation in early June, I’m persevering to get to 100 pieces of art before I finish! Here are a few small pieces I completed in June:

July

 

For work-related, I plan:

1. To finish writing Ignition! Again—no excuses! This will complete the Delta Fire series, my erotic firefighter stories. The book will be out by the end of the month!
2. To begin work on Built Like Mack, the next story in my We are Dead Horse series.
3. To complete working on the edits I have for one author and await the arrival of two other editing projects to start working on.

For health-related, I plan:

1. To continue to focus on recovery! Rest when I need to, and some light exercise—housework and swimming (when the pool pump gets repaired!!!).
2. To endure another immunotherapy session this month.

For happiness-related, I plan: 

1. To spend time with the family during this summer break. We have plans for fun meals, movies, flea market shopping, and lots and lots of swimming.
2. To head to my sister’s place in the northern part of this state for a mini vacation.
3. To complete #the100dayproject and create more art.

Contest

Comment on anything you’ve read in this post. Tell me what you’re doing to make yourself happier and healthier, or tell me what you plan to read in July…

Like I said, comment on anything for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

My birthday passed in a flash! I stayed away from social media to simply enjoy my birthday—another one bites the dust! After my doom and gloomy post about how bad I was doing on my new medication, I just didn’t want to see or read anything, even the many lovely posts from everyone for their birthday wishes. I’m reading through them today. Thank you so much for thinking about me!

I can report that I spoke with my oncologist’s office on Friday morning, and they had me discontinue, for now, the new medication. And miraculously, I felt like myself again on Saturday—no frantic dashes to the bathroom! We’ll have a discussion about what to do going forward when I go in for my regular infusion tomorrow. I’ll do whatever he recommends to fight this disease, but maybe we need a better plan or some adjustments so my quality of life doesn’t take such a radical hit. I’ll keep you posted. I do feel better and in a better state of mind today.

Another catastrophic thing happened late last week. The pool pump stopped working. The pool has been my greatest joy (other than my family) this past little while, so we are biting the bullet and having it replaced, but it might not be for a couple of weeks because we’re in the middle of pool season and everyone needs help. Which means, it will likely take another couple of weeks to kill the algae already turning the pool a lovely neon green. *sigh*  Maybe I’ll be swimming again before the end of July!!

I spent my birthday puttering (which is a form of exercise for me these days) and indulging in my latest guilty pleasure. I’ll talk more about what that is later this week. My daughter thinks it’s hilarious, but what does she know, huh?

Anyway, enjoy your Sunday! Do something that gives you joy! ~DD

Open Contests

Be sure to check out these posts and enter to win the prizes that are still up for grabs:

1. Gabbi Grey: Dipping my toe into the enemies-to-lovers trope… (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win a FREE eBook or audio book!
2. Happy Juneteenth, My Messy Desk, & a Health Update (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. What brings you joy? (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Romantic Gestures — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Flashback: Bound & Determined from Texas Cowboys (Contest & Excerpt) — Win a FREE book!
6. Gabbi Grey: When a trope comes calling (Contest) — Win a FREE book!
7. Word Search: Things associated with June! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
8. Gabbi Black: A Home for Every Story (Contest) — Win a FREE book!

I almost didn’t post today. I’ve barely been at my computer for the past few days. The new chemo pills have officially kicked my ass. I’ve had (and pardon me for sharing TMI) some side effects I can’t ignore and push through on my own. Fatigue, horrible diarrhea (I’ve written that word so many times these past few days, I don’t have to pause to remember how to spell it!), and body aches in every joint and major muscle group.

Today, after trying over-the counter remedies, I contacted my oncologist’s office to discuss it with them. So, I’m off the pills for the next few days (I’m still scheduled for a Keytruda infusion on Monday!), and I’m going to take a prescription anti-diarrheal med for the next while. Hopefully, I’ll stop dragging butt and wanting to stay in bed all day.

Now, let’s change the subject! See my cute cake? My birthday is tomorrow, but the family could all be together this afternoon, so they surprised me with the cake and gifts a little while ago. Everything was space themed. They so know me. Also, my sister sent flowers, and they arrived this afternoon today! They’re lovely on my desk and as soon as they start to wilt, I’ll be painting with them. LOL

Anyway, I’m heading back to bed for a wee bit. I’m drinking lots of water, eating bananas, and doing my best to think positive thoughts! I love you all! ~DD

Some of y’all have been following my cancer journey, so I’ve been open about my experiences in the hope that it helps another person who might be facing the same journey.

Yesterday, I went to the clinic for my regularly scheduled Jemperli infusion. My third one, or it was supposed to be. Jemperli is a medicine I was tolerating well, that only required me to come in every six weeks. I had no side effects that I could detect. Everything was good.

Well, after fully reviewing all the results from my surgery on April 1st, which involved removing all my girlie parts plus my omentum, he determined there were still microscopic “remnants” of cancer in my body, so he wanted to switch my treatment protocol to another set of meds which would more aggressively treat the cancer that remains.

I will now be receiving infusions of another immunotherapy drug called Keytruda, plus a daily pill called Lenvima. As well, I will be going for infusions every three weeks. This will continue, possibly for the rest of my life, or perhaps (hopefully), until I reach remission and I’m deemed “cured.”

I got my first Keytruda infusion yesterday. After I came home, I felt completely wiped out. I sat watching TV for the remainder of the day and went to bed early, sleeping like a rock. For the next few days, I’ll be very conscious of what my body is telling me so I know what this experience will be going forward and whether I need to block out days on my calendar, like I did during chemo, to make sure I can plan my life better.

The list of normal aftereffects of this protocol are many. Fatigue (check), diarrhea, shortness of breath, kidney problems, liver problems, headaches, rapid heartbeat, skin rashes, mouth sores, dizziness, and on and on. Whether I have all or some of these “usual” aftereffects, I’ll let you know.

So, yes, I’m not happy, but my oncologist did start with the positive news that my CA-125 cancer antigen test number has improved again. At my worst, it was 1100. Now it is 15, which is within “normal” range. So, yes, I’m doing so much better, but I’m not happy about more frequent treatments and a stronger medication protocol, but it is what it is.

The most important thing I’m going to focus on right now and going forward is that I’m still here. My family keeps me grounded and happy. I won’t go without a hard damn fight.

Early in the week, my pee suddenly became a bright orange-pink. Bet you haven’t read something like that as an opener on another writer’s blog, right? Anyways, I sent a urine sample via my dd to my general practitioner, and they put me on antibiotics for another UTI. So far, so good. I’m peeing yellow again. For someone who hadn’t had a UTI in years, having two in as many months is a PITA. I’ve read that’s not uncommon after a radical hysterectomy, though, so I’m not overly concerned.

School ended for the kids this past Wednesday! Woot. We celebrated with takeout and a movie. We watched A Minecraft Movie, and I guess we were in the mood for a silly one, because we all laughed ourselves silly. The 16-year-old provided a critique of how well the movie matched the actual game (she’s a gamer, and Minecraft is one she loves). If you like a childish, zany adventure movie, this one’s for you. It’s a one-timer for me, but we bought it because the 11-year-old will be watching it over and over this summer, no doubt. She already knows the songs Jack Black sang.

I’ve been busy trying to get back my stamina to complete the work I have in front of me. Editing has been going well. My personal space needs some work—straightening, cleaning. While my family pitches in, I like things to be kept in a certain order, so I’ve been trying to give myself little tasks every day to set things right.

In early April, I had my Christmas cacti placed outside on my back porch. It gets morning sunshine only, so not too much for indoor plants. Both plants surprised me with another blooming. Not as many as in late fall, but lovely just the same. The red plant buds are very sparse, but the white is giving more blooms. The picture I’m using for today’s puzzle is one of the white cactus. Have fun!

Solve the puzzle, then tell me some random things that are happening to you in your neck of the woods for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Beverly Blank!
*~*~*

April

Work-related:

1. I completed 2 editing projects for other authors in April!
2. I pushed the deadline for submissions for the anthology entitled Burn until mid-June.
3. And yes, this is such meager progress, but the fact I did anything at all is a miracle! 🙂

Health-related:

1. The big accomplishment this month was that I underwent surgery on April 1st to get my girlie parts removed. I’ve been recovering all month since, and there’s still a ways to go.
2. I had another immunotherapy appointment, so I’m good to go for another six weeks with my cancer treatment.

Happiness-related: 

1. I resumed my participation in #the100dayproject around mid-month. Here are a few small pieces I completed:

May

For work-related, I plan:

1. To complete 3 editing projects in May.
2. To assemble a group of short stories to publish together in a second Ultra Strokes volume.
3. To continue writing Ignition. It’s time to get back to the real work!

For health-related, I plan:

1. To focus on recovery! Rest and light exercise.
2. To start swimming as soon as the pool is ready. I figure I’ll be healed enough by mid-May! Woot!
3. To see an optometrist to address the issue of the deterioration of my vision due to chemo. I need a new prescription, but I also want to know what I’ve lost and if it will get worse.

For happiness-related, I plan: 

1. To spend time with the family while I recover from surgery and get ready for the summer break. I can’t wait to have the kids home.
2. To continue the #100dayproject and create more art.

Contest

Comment on anything you’ve read in this post. Tell me what you’re doing to make yourself happier and healthier, or tell me what you plan to read in May…

Like I said, comment on anything for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!