Durban Harbor at sunrise
Today is day 11 of the first round of chemo. And as you can imagine, it’s been, and is quite a journey!
Last I wrote was Day 3 and I said it wasn’t so bad. Then on Day 4 it hit me like a ton of bricks! I’d heard that these days were the hardest and they were right! I think I slept through the next 4 days, as the chemicals worked through my system. I was so glad to be at Jules and she would tiptoe into my room to check on me! Finally – it felt like forever- I started to come out of it and from day 7, every day is just a bit better.
As I felt better each day, although I didn’t do much other than sit or lie “with my feet up,” I started moving around more. The worst part of this is the ascites which really is a handicap/hindrance/nuisance as my legs and feet have been so swollen. What I call elephant trunks! But slowly, it’s subsiding and today I got up and my legs were way down! So every day has its little wins.
I loved staying with Jules in Durban, she took such good care of me but by Friday I felt it was time for me to come home to my little cottage in Kloof. It was fun having someone to have tea with each morning, sitting on the deck, watching the ship movement in Durban harbor. We found the app and spent ages identifying the ships from around the world as they came and went, maneuvered by tugs into tight berths all over the port. Enormous car carries, a couple of cruise ships (though I cannot understand why anyone would go on one in this day and age!) lots of container ships piled high with multicolored, international containers and goods. Fascinating hours spent.
But more importantly, it was so wonderful spending time with Jules, something that I haven’t really had the opportunity to do. She is a gem and brother Biff is a lucky man to have her in his life.
During this time, I was able to (mostly) keep track of the medical insurance and thanks to James, my insurance broker and Rosemary’s son, alerting me to the fact I could upgrade the insurance for full cancer coverage, submitted all the paperwork and am now fully covered for all the treatments, retroactive to the December 1, the date of the first treatment. Yes, the monthly premium is more but I know I am fully covered for the duration, which is a huge weight off my mind. There’s still paperwork to complete as I go through this but just knowing the bulk is handled, makes it possible for me to focus on getting well and not on finances.
Next week should be fun. We, a group of friends, are going to Woza Moya for a “scarf tying workshop.” As I will almost certainly be losing my hair soon, Paula has organized a couple of the Zulu ladies to teach us how to tie head scarfs! I haven’t been able to bring myself to get a wig yet (that may change) but I know I can wear scarfs and as our beautiful African women have a way with them, I’m hoping I’ll pick up some tips and look as glamorous as they do!
I was a little concerned about being around a bunch of people but after checking with Catherine, my nurse, who checked my recent blood work, I’ll be fine outdoors, masked and social distancing. She said, “Life doesn’t stop. If anything needs doing, have someone do it for you.” Good advice!
And advice that is not always easy to follow. I’m having to really take the “ask for help” idea to heart and it’s not easy. I’ve been so independent for so long… But today, I asked Lonnie (landlord) to please check a lightbulb for me! I felt such a fake, but I just wasn’t ready to be climbing on chairs checking overheads!
With a lot of time on my hands, I’m doing a lot of reading as I sit “with my feet up,” keeping track of the monkeys and listening to the dogs snoring at my feet! Both Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Jackie ad Zoey, were right back here when I returned and Ping, the kitty also raced in. So it really does feels like home.