September into October & a Health Update (Contest)

September

Work-related:

I completed one set of edits and continued working on one other author’s edits (it’s a big book).I read many Burn entries. I’m almost done!

Health-related:

I continued with my immunotherapy. I underwent two Keytruda infusions this month. I also continued taking Lenvima at an every other day dosage due to side effects.My bloodwork indicated there is a problem (more about that below).

Happiness-related: 

Since there’s been no swimming, I’ve upped my puttering game. I’m a quarter way through getting my art room deep-cleaned. It’s exercise, believe me, and those long-handled tongs old people use to get items off high or deep shelves has been key! LOLWhile I worked on organizing and deep-cleaning my art room, I produced no art whatsoever. Not a single piece. October

   

For work-related, I plan:

To put my main focus on Burn this month. I’ll finish reading the submissions today! Then I’ll ruminate for a couple of days over my huge YES pile to skinny it down and choose stories that work together well. Then I’ll announce the lineup for the next anthology! Lastly, I’ll start editing the stories I choose to keep.To write at least half of my story to go inside the pages of Burn .To finish writing  Ignition ! It’s on the schedule dammit. Be looking for the pre-order to go up soon because I think that’s the only way I’m going to light a fire under my ass to finish it!To complete working on the edits I have for one author and await the arrival of another two projects coming in October.

For health-related, I plan:

To continue to focus on recovery! Rest when I need to, and some light exercise. I have to figure out what, other than housework, I can add to my exercise plan. Puttering shouldn’t be everything!To get a new CT scan of my abdomen and endure an immunotherapy session this month.

For happiness-related, I plan: 

To establish a new exercise regimen and commit to it!To participate in an art sale at my local art center, mid-month.To create more art.Contest

Comment on anything you’ve read in this post. Tell me what you’re doing to make yourself happier and healthier, or tell me what you plan to read in October …

Like I said, comment on anything for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

Health Update

Well, I’ll start with what I thought was a funny story.

My daughter sees a breast cancer doctor for her annual exams because she’s always had issues with regular mammograms. So far, so good. She met with her this month and the doctor, who knows my dd’s family history of cancer asked her in a very empathetic way, “When did your mother pass?” She asked this because she’d learned about my Stage IV endometrial/mullerian diagnosis last year. My daughter said her eyes got big and she told her, “Oh, she’s still alive and doing pretty good.” It was the doctor’s turn to look shocked. When Kelly told me this, I burst out laughing. When did your mother pass! Hahaha. I’m still here, bitch.

I’m still smiling because I really did not have good odds to make it past a year when I started (still don’t have great odds but fuck that). Anyway, I’ve had a bit of a setback.

When I went on this Keytruda/Lenvima immunotherapy plan, I had a really hard time getting used to the medicines (I think it’s mostly the Lenvima pills). I had to back away from the recommended daily two-pill dosage to every other day, and the issues I had — severe fatigue and diarrhea) improved some.

My past two blood draws have shown a rise in my CA-125 (Cancer Antigens). For a few months there I was in normal range, under 38. It jumped from a very nice 15 to 27. Then from 55 a month ago to 100 this last week—out of normal range and reason for concern that my cancer may be resurging. So, after talking with the doctor about some pains I’ve experiencing (nothing awful, y’all) and reviewing the concerning upward trend, he asked me to go back to taking Lenvima on a daily basis to see if I can tolerate it and whether it will stop that upward climb. I’ll be getting a CT scan this week or next week, just to see if anything is happening that’s large enough to see. Then when I go in for my next infusion, we’ll talk about whether it’s working or I have to do something like undergo more rounds of chemo.

I expect my energy will be zapped for the next while. I’ll plan my mornings accordingly. I’ll try to get all work done by noon before I crash for a nap (which is code for watching Asian reels about ancient warlords while I nod off). I’m still shooting for a few more years of life despite what the averages say. I may look like a sweet, plump, passive grandma, but there’s still a warrior inside this body.

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