"Every day of treatment and recovery deserves a trophy.
Some for courage,
some for determination,
some for just hanging in there..." From a card sent to me by Tracey H.
The tiredness on Friday was overwhelming.
I was too tired to move Friday morning when the alarm went off. I set it for an hour later. That achy, flu-like feeling without the sniffles was still there when the alarm sounded a second time.
What to do? My weekly hair appointment was just an hour away. I had no choice. I had to cancel. I just couldn't get out of the bed. I hate to cancel hair and nail appointments. They are things I do for myself that help me forget that I'm being treated for breast cancer.
Someone else described the tiredness as being similar to what we feel in that last month of pregnancy when you can't get comfortable and you can't get enough sleep. Just tired all of the time.
It was like that Friday but I made it to my afternoon treatment after eating lunch. Still tired but able to move a little better and smile when volunteer Betty greeted me in the waiting area with deep voice. "How are you doing today? It's one more day, right? " she said.
I had been warned about the cumulative effect of the radiation but I didn't think I could get much more tired than I had been feeling over the last few weeks at the end of the day. The total fatigue surprised me.
My doctor told me again to conserve energy as much as possible, get lots of rest and eat well. I'm trying. The fatigue is more intense toward the end of treatment. And I spent the weekend trying to conserve as much energy as possible, sleeping a lot, attending a church program and out to a movie with my husband.
I think I get the trophy for hanging in.
Countdown...7 days
Comments (2)
Sandra, If I didn't love you like another Mother I would be so hot at you right now.
To the readers, Sandra is very good at putting on a good face despite her own adversity. I have known Sandra for a few years since I worked at the Inquirer and I have the pleasure of working with her again on an upcoming project. We have had several email exchanges, conference calls, etc. and not once did she mention what she was going through. She was more concerned about helping her daughter get a summer internship and the students we will be working with for this project. But that's typical Sandra...always thinking of others before herself.
And just so you know I'm going to give you a scolding for not telling me and then of course a big hug =)
Tiffany Black
Producer
Sports Illustrated.com
Posted by Tiffany Black | March 12, 2007 12:54 PM
Posted on March 12, 2007 12:54
Sandra:
I am constantly amazed, impressed and struck by your courage and strength. You have been a role model for me here at work as long as I have known you, and now you are a role model in a much more personal way. Thank you for showing me what grace and dignity truly mean.
Michelle
Posted by Michelle | March 12, 2007 4:42 PM
Posted on March 12, 2007 16:42