Cancer is only part of my journey

Oh cancer, only because of you can I recapture my youth. My hair is at the same growth stage it was 61 years ago, my tumor’s position makes wearing a diaper a necessity at times and best of all – I have not taken so many naps since toddlerhood! Are you tired during your cancer battle? I am. Not that I’m in a constant state of exhaustion, but my eyelids frequently droop as yawns escape my mouth.   Then it becomes far from a pretty sight. I blame the change in meds. By my fourth chemo session, I required stronger pain medications than the occasional ibuprofen. My oncology gynecologist prescribed oxycodone to be given while I received my infusion cocktail. Coupled with Benadryl, the antihistamine used to avoid nausea, within minutes I was out. Upon awakening and noting the dampness of my front and grogginess I asked the nurse if I had slept for long. ‘Oh honey, you were sound asleep for at least an hour,’ she said as a small smile crossed her face...