Today I had my second AC treatment -- so now we're 2 down, 6 to go. The nurses brought us over and sat us next to a really nice 31-year-old woman there with her sister for chemo. She has two young kids and was diagnosed about a month ago with Stage 3 estrogen-receptive invasive ductal carcinoma. We chatted about our experiences and got to know each other a little bit. She was really nice and positive, and it was so nice to meet another woman going through this at the same time. She has already lost her hair and had on an adorable hat, so I asked her where she got it and ordered a couple for myself on Amazon. It's amazing that everyone you meet along this journey can be a source of knowledge and support!
I have already been hit with the queasiness tonight, but it's not too terrible. Going to stick to tea, fiber toast and Miralax this evening, haha. Tomorrow I have to go get my Neulasta shot to increase my white cell count, but other than that we'll be laying low. Ashlyn woke up this morning with the bright red "slapped cheeks" rash on her face that means she has a virus called "Fifth Disease", so she ended up having to stay home with Shayla and Donna last minute today. You can't make this stuff up. At least it's nothing too serious, and by the time the rash appears, the virus is no longer contagious.
I returned to work last Saturday, and shockingly this week went really well! It was so nice to see all my coworkers again, and to be a doctor again rather than a patient! It feels good to use my brain, help people, and of course, snuggle the cute animals. A really wonderful couple in their 60's came to see me with their brand-new puppy on Tuesday and the woman looked at me with tears in her eyes. "We don't know if we should be doing this whole puppy thing right now. Our 37-year-old daughter died last year of breast cancer, and we're raising her 3- and 6-year old kids." My stomach dropped out my you-know-what, but rather than running out of the room like I wanted to, I sat next to her and we talked. She was obviously overwhelmed but looking for some comfort and healing in her life, and for those sweet children. I examined the cute little pup and he was adorable, gentle, and healthy. I reassured her that he's a great little dog and that I think he will be therapeutic for them. She seemed to leave feeling happy and relieved after we talked. THAT is the kind of thing that makes my job worthwhile and makes up for some of the bad days.
The next puppy I saw that day was an 8-week-old Eskimo Spitz who was beyond adorable. I love this breed because of the Eskimo my mother-in-law rescued when I was in vet school. Puppy kisses just have a way of making everything seem better, don't they?
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