Chemo Regimen 2 is History - On paper anyway ...

Regimen 2 is done and gone by not quite yet forgotten. So far the effects are much like those after regimen 1 only somewhat more intense this time around. The good old Prednisone insomnia effect has held true and the monthly 'sheep count' has begun again. The nausea, although not really more intense, is now longer lasting but the 'new medical breakthrough' of 'force it down with food' is still proving successful.

So here is the run down of how she feels after Round No. 2:
Fatigue plus some ...

The fatigue has brought a new buddy with this time in the form of 'low energy levels'. This is seriously frustrating Kirstin given her history of obsessive sportiness. Doing stuff now takes a 'dash of effort' but luckily her frustration and dislike for laziness keeps it at bay.

Hair loss revenge ...
If hair loss is not bad enough then chemo will give an added bonus in the form of a slight and so far small follicle rash but its easily managed using Elizabeth Anne's or Johnson's Shampoo.

Smash and Grab ...

For this side effect you will need the following equipment: Broom, mop, bucket, packet and an account at Console glass ... Yes unfortunately it is a side effect ... the 'slippery hands' syndrome. If its a glass and it contains liquid, then its bound to fall. No wonder they don't let chemo patients drink alcohol ... imagine that 'balance a glass act' .... Console would become the new Bill Gates.

But the good news is that her blood count is, and I quote, very good for the end of regimen 2. Kirstin is now on 'chemo break' until the 23rd when they are going to perform the second PET scan.

Mothers Day - 'Shake' the Food Police for Supper

Mothers Day, a chance to thank mom for being mom and a golden opportunity to eat out and indulge just a little bit. Well maybe make that 'a silver opportunity' because its moms choice to eat at Ocean Basket but if it was Kirstins choice .... think about .... KENTUCKY!! But hey it still beats Mr and Mrs Bland from the home stove.

The calamari and chips, not to mention the sorbet, were a welcome change even if it requires a dash of payback tomorrow

As Kirstin will argue, she is already nauseas and tired, hey ... 'in for a penny in for a pound' so bring on the highlight of the day ... Hot Chocolate

Chemo: Round 2 - Day 1 to 3 and the Burger Pill

Regimen 1 is 'in the bag' and we have almost conquered regimen 2. Today was Day 3 of Chemo Regimen 2 and so far so good. The side effects are much like those experienced during regimen 1 except that this time the fatigue and nausea are a lot worse. Again she is battling to sleep but is however, so far, getting in a few more hours than during regimen 1. The nausea, as opposed to just during the chemo infusion, is now continuous throughout the day but the nausea pills are still 'standing their ground'.

Kirstin's medical break through - The burger pill:
Four of the drips "feel as though they are coming up her throat" so Kirstin's scientific analysis of this is that if the fluid is coming up her throat then surely she must get something to counteract that by forcing it back down!! So today, I finally gave in to that logic and got her a chicken burger which she promptly ate and ..... well apparently this 'logic' worked and she felt less nauseas. I do however have my doubts as to whether the medical industry is going to buy into this finding but I do believe that Burger King will jump at this as a source of advertising.
So the moral of the story is simple: The tools for chemo will now be ... book, PSP and a Chicken Burger.

Peoples Generosity

'Happiness exists on earth, and it is won through prudent exercise of reason, knowledge of the harmony of the universe, and constant practice of generosity'
Jose Marti

One only truly realises peoples 'softer' or caring sides when one is caught up in some or other traumatic or problematic situation. Without these situations its actually easy to see the human race as nothing more than people living 'in their own worlds'. We as a family have been stunned at the generosity of friends, acquaintances and colleague's who have all somehow or somewhere shown their support to Kirstin.

The management and staff of her school, Willowridge High School, have and still are doing everything to help and guide her. Schools often profess that the scholars well being is important but 'Willows' has shown it to be true in all aspects.

People from all friendship circles continually send messages or contact us for updates, some have provided meals, others have provided moral support and comfort and some have showered Kirstin in gifts, everything from hats and scarves to books and movies and even a PSP which has proved to be a great entertainment tool for the long chemo hours. Then of course there are those that 'knock the wind out your sails', probably because one does not really expect a specific response from a specific person, like our pharmacist who specially ordered head scarves from Cape Town or a friend of ours who brought her the most awesome gold necklace and cancer pendant. The necklace has gone straight to the safe because Kirstin wants to debut it at her matric dance. For those that will not be attending the dance, here is your sneak preview: 

Like they say 'every dark cloud has a silver lining' and of the many things that we have learned on this journey so far is that people are still inherently caring and generous in many different ways.

Day before Chemo - Round 2

As Kirstin will tell you .. the chemo regimen days are not really fun days and although the chemo is actually only 4 days, the reality is that for 13 days she does not really feel like herself. So the day before chemo was also a public holiday and Kirstin is feeling strong, so then 'lets head off back to mother nature', this time we visited the Rhino and Lion Park in Krugersdorp. Its one of our favourites because one can get up close with the 'king of the beasts' and even play with them before they realise that they are destined to grow up to be mans feared friend. Apart from the lions, the park has numerous antelope and the real beauty of this park is that one is guaranteed of a 'sighting' of all the animals.

The vast lion camp allows for awesome and up close views of the lions from ones own vehicle

Today they had baby tigers which was a nice change for everyone to interact with

And Kirstin decided to break from the usual lion play to get to know Mojo, the Serval

After a good day interacting with mother nature, we are ready to tackle the 'big bad red drip' again

Chemo companion by day .... terrorist by night

Abby, the Jack Russell bought to be 'Kirstins best friend', was meant to be a hyper-active little thing that would keep Kirstin active and busy .... well nowhere in the dictionary does the word hyper-active make any reference to terrorism ... because it should!! Abby is beyond hyper-active and just has no end. In fact she causes more fatigue than chemotherapy does. She has accepted Kirstin as her mother and when Kirstin is not at home, well now ... hell hath no fury like a Abby who cant find her mother !

Stress can sometimes be 'just a wasted emotion'

How often don't we stress about something and when the day comes for us to face that stress we suddenly realise that all that stress was a bit of a wasted emotion. Kirstin like any other sane young girl had visions of looking hideous with short or no hair .... but alas she has now realised that she does not look nearly as 'scary' as she had envisaged .... in fact she actually has realised that 'its not so ugly after all'

And here are her entries for cancer patient of the year .....