Li Po says: "Hang in there Mama Mi......we are all praying for you to be well soon. Miss you.
When are you coming back to Melaka to see us. We miss your Tuna Special....yummiaow...!"
May 5 (Day 3 Cycle 2)
Just a quick round up today, the lethargy was quite significant and moving around caused giddiness. But Syukur Alhamdullillah, I did not expel anything that I had eaten although I was belching all day like Gunung Merapi belching smoke. Today was the last dosage of Emend and the Dexamethasone, the anti-nausea medications. That was probably why everything was under control.
I was so tired that I did not have the energy to take an early morning shower. Breakfast was milo and oats, followed by green apple that I dipped into some salt. Not a good habit the salt with apple, but something I need to do when I take Emend. I couldn't take in the Ensure, just one look and my throat lurched. The same with ice cubes, I wanted to suck ice just to ensure that I keep my mouth hydrated, but the act reminded me of the chemo session when the nurse was administering the Epiribucin and I had to suck a cupful of ice-cubes to cool the lining of my mouth so that I won't get blisters.
One ice cube and I felt like throwing up, so I gave up the attempt. Maybe after day 5 when the nausea is supposed to ease.
Syukur Alhamdullillah that I managed to retain the goodness from the Laksa Johor and stir-fried asparagus, and bayam that SMM brought over for lunch. For tea it was just green tea and fruits (dragon fruit and pineapple slices) while my friends (RJ,SNA and son) munched titbits (dried fruits and nuts)which in my situation looked like alien stuff to me even though they are my usual favourite snacks. Despite a heavy head and trying to control my nausea, we had a good laugh listening to SNA's story about her 80+ brother's wedding to a 60+lady many years ago. Very graphic and illustrious, I am smiling now remembering SNA's tale(?) about their wedding night. Priceless story.
As RJ was going to visit her family in Alor Gajah which is very close to Masjid Tanah, she offered to bring back anything that I need to send home to Melaka. Giddy head or not, I found myself going to the Vet at Desa Hartamas with RJ to get a month's supply of catfood for my babies in Melaka. That should ease the burden of my brother having to buy small packs every now and then. The Vet commented that I look fine ( he indicated with his gestures that I have put on some weight) for someone undergoing treatment. He was being kind because he was comparing me with his M-I-L who is also undergoing chemo-for ovarian cancer. She is 65 and has completed 4 but is not eating very well and is constantly confused and tired. I suggested they let her eat what she felt like eating during chemo and not to "pantang" too much unless the craving is totally hazardous to her health. I know how she must be feeling - "loya" and totally off food that she's used to eating, might be appetising to try something different. I sure hope she will have the inclination to eat, otherwise how to gain strength to withstand the treatment?
I got Kakak to fry some meehoon with plenty of shredded vegetables (carrot, sawi,spring onion,chinese celery) and fishball to be sliced thinly so that they wouldn't remind me of fish. Simple but tasty when eaten warm, so I had that for dinner. I am good for the day and will try to manage that everything I consumed today will be digested and ready to be expelled tomorrow, through the right channel, Insya Allah. As a natural remedy, I will try to drink half a glass of prune juice before retiring tonight. This is certainly similar to what was experienced during days 2 and 3 of Cycle 1 when I had nothing to flush for 2 days. Only then it was because I kept being sick and throwing everything up and out that there was nothing left in my colon. This time I think my colon had become a bit sluggish because I wasn't very active over the last 2 days.
We packed some meehoon for SMM to take home when she turned up with a Pomelo from my Uncle. Pomelos are alkaline fruits and are reportedly nutrituous and also good for fibre. It can be taken raw or prepared into a kerabu or savoury salad.
I can't help feeling a bit down today after reading about cancer casualties.
It sounds like there is a cancer epidemic. We all have to go one day but cancer affects not just the host but also the people around as well, it seems unfair. It is a great test by the Almighty on the strength and ability of his ummah to rally and help each other. Blessed are they who passed the test, and may Allah guide and pacify those currently being tested. Only You can show us mortals the way , Ya Allah, please show us the way. Amin.
