While buying decongestion medicine for my poor boyfriend who is allergic to my cats and staying with my family a few days, I saw this magazine at the check out register at my local Drug Store. Feeling out of shape and wanting to be inspired I choose to buy it and get some motivation to work out. Nikita and I are going to a wedding on the second weekend of June and I want to get my legs toned for my white mini dress, therefore I was drawn to this months Muscle and Fitness Hers magazine.
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Author Archives: Kathryn Z
Work Out of the Week
Today is day 3 since my last chemo session. With each new chemotherapy, the fatigue from the toxic drugs will accumulate, but the nausea will stay more or less the same. The fatigue that is felt by patients does not simply go away with rest and sleep, instead experts suggest that people on chemotherapy try to exercise as much as your body allows, without over doing it.
The Bald & the Beautiful
On Sunday, my hair slowly started to fall out. And by “fall out” I mean if I would tug lightly on my hair, 5-6 strands would come out straight with the hair follicle. From this I new my days were numbered before the big chop would come. My oncologist warned me that my hair would start falling out on day fourteen after my initial cycle. The nurses working at the Breast Resource Center also said that hair usually starts to fall out between 10-14, for sure there would be drastic loss by day 18.
Cycle #2 and BRCA1
This morning I woke up bright and early to make it on time for my 7:30 am appointment with Phlebotomy ( the place I do my blood test before every cycle). My alarm clock went of at 6:30 am, but of course I pressed the snooze button. Quickly, I put on my face (make-up) and got dressed. After making my way downstairs, I gulped a glass of orange juice poured by my mother and we were off! Nik would join my mother and I for my second session but he’d still be working from his laptop.
Add a little color..
I need some inspiration today.
A “no-no”
Yesterday, Natalie and I had our ritual Skype session. During our hour long conversation, she was thoroughly enjoying a pink grapefruit. I sat there and all the sudden started craving a juicy, pink grapefruit myself. Being the princess that I am, I quickly called over my mom and begged for a grapefruit!! She hesitated to fullfil my cravings since the strong citrus fruit could end up hurting my mouth and result in mouth sores, a very common side effect of the chemo. But I insisted and would not give up until satisfied! Of course my poor mother gave in and brought me the sought after fruit. I delightfully ate it and savored every bite!
mmm
So lovely it would be to wake up in a cottage and eat this breakfast on the porch. #daydreaming
A blessing in disguise.
Going through chemotherapy, it is highly recommended to keep well hydrated at all times. That means I am constantly drinking water and constantly emptying my full bladder. The last two night specifically I have been waking up in the early hours (between 4:30 and 5:00am) to use the bathroom. Unfortunately, I later have trouble falling back asleep. So that means I’m usually up for an hour reading through the current news updates on my AP iphone app.
First 7 days
Today has been exactly 1 week since my first chemotherapy, and boy do I feel great. The first four days were quite miserable but I survived!
Day of Chemotherapy: I came home and lasted almost 2 hours without feeling sick. I was able to eat lunch with my sister and parents, but soon afterward headed for my mom’s KING size bed, where I would retire for the next few hours. I did not feel as sick as I thought I would, just drained. I had quite an eventful day….. I was skyping with Natalie for the next few hours before we both fell asleep. Nikita came over around 8pm.
Of course Mikey wasn’t too far away….