Marilyn Claire Murphy

Wednesday was my 6th chemo treatment, out of 18. Two 3-week cycles complete, out of 6. I’ve completed one-third of the regimen!

When I started chemo, I didn’t delve too deep, didn’t ask too many questions or do too much research because I didn’t want to imprint all the horrid possibilities in my mind. The staff tried to prepare me with some basic information and guidelines. They told me that – with 100% certainty – that I would lose my hair. They gave me pills for nausea which I carry in my purse everywhere I go.

I was relieved that Scott and I had completed the renovation of our master bedroom and bathroom because I assumed I’d be spending a lot of time up there, exhausted and sick. But how much time? And would it be immediate or a delayed reaction, as one of the nurses had intimated. “Friday evening and Saturday, you’ll probably be really tired.” But she quickly added, “But everyone is different.”

And here I sit, six weeks into this . . . wondering what I’m doing right. Wondering if they’re giving me sugar water in that IV! Wondering why I’ve experienced virtually no negative effects.

Wondering if I’ve just jinxed everything.

Maybe it’s my positive attitude and spiritual practice of right-thinking (focusing on health and wellness). Maybe it’s the wealth of support, love and prayers I’ve received from friends, customers and colleagues from all corners of the world. Maybe it’s the nutritional supplement my step-daughter, Sandy, insisted that I take. Maybe it’s the clinical trial drug that I’m taking with this regimen. (Or am I on a placebo? I’ll never know.)

Whatever it is . . . I am extremely grateful!

When people see me they’re quite astonished that I don’t look sick. My appetite is normal and energy level is fine. I’m sleeping okay. And, get this: my hair is growing back! There are errant strands of blond (okay, probably gray) hair that are at least 1/2-inch long, with 1/4-inch stubble of brown hair coming in, too. And I finally found the perfect wig for me after trying out a few “wiggy” ones.

So far, the only symptom I can complain about (and I don’t) is a metallic taste in my mouth. Coffee tastes terrible in the morning. So I’ve switched to milk tea with a little bit of sugar.

Fingers crossed . . . chemo will be kind for the next 12 weeks.

::

Instead of going to India, as I was supposed to do next week, I’m staying just a bit closer to home. Next weekend I’m taking a road trip with my best buddy, Kathleen, up to Mariposa near Yosemite to visit our friend, Donna. We did this same trip a couple of years ago to celebrate our birthdays. Kathleen’s is Oct 24, mine is the 27th. I wrote about that weekend in a blog that I published to my WOW! Travel Club website.

Two Scorpios on the loose! Watch out, world!