Getting Ready for Chemo #4 – Breast Cancer Survivor Blog Update
Well, it’s almost that time again. Tomorrow I have the 4th and final chemo treatment. Boo and Yay! I’m so looking forward to being done with this part of my treatment.
Getting Ready for Chemo #4 – Breast Cancer Survivor Blog Update
I’m feeling a little better than the last time I updated. I’m still not great. The two most annoying symptoms this time have been the extreme fatigue and hand problems. I’m still very tired, but at least my hands are getting a little better. I have gotten some feeling back in my fingertips and my hands don’t hurt quite as bad. They are mostly just peeling right now. I still have a hard time doing fine motor skills. Morry has to help me open certain things and it’s difficult getting the kids changed and dressed.
Exercising During Chemo for Breast Cancer
Even though I’m tired, I have tried to exercise a little. I have a DVD of 10-minute dance workouts and I have done a few of them – just 10 minutes at a time. I didn’t want to overdo it. After just 10 minutes I was pretty tired. I’m looking forward to having the chemo out of my system so that I can really start walking, running, and doing other aerobic stuff again.
Suggested Reading for Cancer Patients
I’ve been reading a book our neighbors bought for me. It’s called Anticancer: A New Way of Life. It’s very interesting. The author is a doctor who underwent chemo and treatment for brain cancer and did a lot of research on natural ways to fight cancer. He stresses how important a good diet is with more organic foods and less processed products. He talks a lot about following a Mediterranean diet. I’ve been trying to do more of that. We just bought a juicer yesterday so I can make vegetable and fruit juices.
Date Nights for Cancer Patients are Important
Morry and I went out on a date last night. I was finally feeling up to going out. We had a nice, relaxing dinner and dessert. Things have obviously been a little stressful around here. I just want to say how amazing Morry has been through all of this. Not only has he supported me and shown we are in this together (ie shaving his head), he has been taking care of the boys, the house, the animals, etc. Luckily he was so hands on before all this. He is great taking care of the kids, in fact, Evan wants Morry to do everything with and for him. It’s cute, but it can get exhausting. Morry is doing a great job balancing everything. I just wish there was some way I could give him a break and let him relax a little.
Getting Some Extra Help
Michael and Jen get in this afternoon. We are all looking forward to seeing them and having their help.
I’ll try to update you again in a few days and let you know how my last chemo treatment went.
Read more about my breast cancer journey from 2009 to the present here.
If you know anyone having a mastectomy or other breast surgery, these breast cancer recovery shirts are a must-have.
Rachel Belkin is an Austin, Texas blogger, entrepreneur, speaker, freelance writer, and educator. After selling her lifestyle blog for six figures in 2021, she teaches business, blogging, and influencer marketing strategies that helped her build her business on part-time hours. Bylines include MSN, HuffPost, Medium, NewsBreak, and Hometalk. She has been featured on KXAN, Studio 512, Fox 7 Austin, CBS Austin, and other news and media outlets.
