Mom has been on a certain cycle of life that I'll share with you now.
After Mom got her blood transfusion at the hospital, she returned home and rested. She continued her daily/weekly routines of exercise, self-care, pestering Dad and doing Mom-like things.
Once her hemoglobin was up to an acceptable level, she began another round of chemo...same drug, reducing the dose.
So here comes the cyclical part...
chemo - wait two weeks - blood work to check hemoglobin - wait two weeks - blood work - hemoglobin is too low - out patient blood transfusion - wait two weeks - hemoglobin better - wait two weeks - blood work - hemoglobin acceptable - chemo - wait two weeks...
I know, I hear you, exciting way to live. The weeks during chemo and following are challenging for Mom.
She puts on a good show, but she is tired, achy, weary and worn out.
After the blood transfusions she seems a little perkier.
But as the blood transfusions wear on, her bounce back perkiness seems lessened a little with each one.
.
We continue to gather, to be supportive, to cry, but mostly we laugh.
I mean really, who can't crack a smile with this one in your life?