I Am A Fighter with the "Eye of the Tiger"!

Going back to chemo, when I was diagnosed with Stage IV was kind of intimidating to me.  I had previously had a severe allergic reaction to one of the chemo drugs during my Stage III treatment.  Whenever you try a new protocol or new medication, it is frightening, but even more so when you have had a problem with one in the past.  But, I tried to put my "brave" face on and got in the car with my husband to drive to the Oncology center.  Just as we were about to back out of the driveway, our youngest daughter came running to the car window and handed me a special CD that she had made for me.  It was wrapped in a note with a picture she had drawn of boxing gloves and the first song title on the CD was "The Eye of the Tiger" from the movie "Rocky".  She  knew exactly what I needed to give me the strength for the fight ahead.  The songs on the CD made me laugh, cry, and get in the right mind set.  I am eternally grateful!  And, by the time I got to the treatment center, I was "psyched" and ready to fight.  

Attitude is EVERYTHING when it comes to getting through the long hours at the treatment center.  I really try to have a positive attitude and keep a smile on my face.  My husband usually accompanies me to my treatments, along with his cell phone and iPad, so he can get some work done even though he isn't at his office.  We are usually pretty well behaved and quiet, as there are other people in the cubicles around us receiving their treatments.  Some people like to sleep, others read, and a few watch the televisions that are on the wall in each space.  Well, on two occasions, my husband was out of town, so I had a friend take me to chemo.  Let's just say that "girls just want to have fun"and sometimes we can't control ourselves when we get together.  Both times my friends and I talked, reminisced about things we have done together, and shrieked with laughter!   By the time we left, the nurses were just shaking their heads.  I was expecting  a "slap on the wrist" and to be told that  I would have to find a new treatment center because I had been disruptive.  But, I can tell you from experience that "laughter really is the best medicine"!

My niece came to visit us while I was going through my treatments.  After she left, I was doing laundry and realized she had left behind a pair of superhero sleep shorts.  A friend of mine had given me a mug that has a caption on it that reads "The chemo made me do it!" which I drank my morning coffee from everyday.  My daughter and I decided it would be funny to take a picture of me wearing the boxers, holding my mug, and doing my best impression of a superhero.  We sent the photo to my niece telling her I had "rescued" her boxers.  I always try to live by the adage that it's okay to laugh at yourself, which has gotten me through some pretty tough times.  

That reminds me of the beginning of this journey...the original chemo drugs they put me on had several annoying side effects.  One was being unable to touch anything cold with your hands or be in a cold environment or even drink a cold beverage...it felt like I was suffering from frostbite!  I remember going to the grocery store in the middle of Summer with a pair of Winter gloves and a scarf in my purse.  I had to put them on to grab things from the refrigerated and frozen cases.  Let me tell you, I got some pretty strange stares from other customers!  (I just giggled and went on about my business.)  I am still expecting to see myself included on some crazy YouTube video posted by a passerby entitled "Weird People Doing Everyday Activities" or something to that effect.  Lol!  

If you can't laugh at yourself, who can?  I have come to the conclusion that having a sense of humor is essential in staying strong enough to fight this ugly disease.  So, if you see me wearing a pair of boxing gloves, or a parka in the middle of Summer, or in the car with the windows rolled down/radio blasting singing "I've Got The Moves Like Jagger",  just smile and wave...because you know I'm in this thing for the long haul...Have a great day!  - Barb

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