In a beautifully choreographed grandparent changeover, I dropped mom and dad off at the airport about 2 weeks ago and picked Jason's parents up. So, as far as our kids are concerned cancer treatment means: lots of treats, all grandparents arriving from America, extra TV time, and people dropping off cookies at the house. It's good to be them.
So Mike and Jan happily watch Grace each morning and Jase takes me to my treatment. I could drive myself, but the parking can be a major headache at this hospital, so it's nice to have him just drop me off at the entrance.
Today was only my 4th treatment, but I felt super tired and sluggish for a good portion of the day. Fatigue is the primary side effect of radiation treatment. Well, that and the superpowers. So Grace and I sat on the couch and snuggled for a bit after her nap. That was lovely, except I was forced to watch the most irritating kids' show ever, Caillou. I hate it with the burning heat of a thousand suns. (Speaking of radiation.)
Do you know this show? I'm posting from my phone, otherwise I'd link to it. Basically it's about the whiniest, most irritating 4 year old on the planet. He fusses when his friend accidentally bumps him, he complains about his little sister, he whines about going camping, he's afraid of clowns. This kid is incapable of just enjoying life as it is. And I am like, MAN UP, CAILLOU! No, your grandpa is NOT gonna eat your veggies for you. Just deal!
I even suggested that we watch Dora instead, so you know I was desperate. But Grace prevailed, as usual. I'm pretty sure she already has superpowers.
I'm not sure if this malaise is due to treatment, or just the fact that it's Monday! Mondays are usually tired days for me. But other than that, we are trucking right along! Just getting used to a new routine for the next 6 weeks or so.
I'll fill you in on treatment more later. Let's just say, lots more people are gettin to see my boobs.
LUCKY.
And the way his parents just PLACATE him!! Makes me mental. I am all, y'all are not doing him ANY favors. Blergh!
ReplyDeleteAm I still talking about a cartoon? Sorry.
Aww, bless your heart, Amy. I'm sorry that you're feeling draggy. Maybe it's the radiation or just keeping up with your frenetic life. Gracie is a full time job. Keeping her supplied with pbj is an art! But with your super powers and spidey sense you'll prevail. Not to even mention Jason and his considerable powers! I'm so glad that Jan and Mike are there now to help. Having safe is nice, huh? Give yourself plenty of resting time and I'm sorry about Calliou. It is pretty depressing. I sure do miss you guys. Love you all, mom
ReplyDeleteCaillou is terrible. It is normal to rail against it.
ReplyDeleteI never could figure out if that sluggish feeling was a real-deal side effect of getting irradiated or a side-effect of the hassle of going and getting irradiated. I guess we don't have to choose. Thank the lord you have good help there.
Do what I did and try to make fun rituals along the way. Milkshakes, bookstores, etc. And have Jason rub aloe on it--the real kind--every night well before any skin effects show up. Like I texted, you gotta be preemptive.
Hang tough.
Caillou is the worst. I'm sorry you've been subjected to that and radiation. That's really more than a person should have to endure.
ReplyDeleteThanks. :) It feels good to be validated!
DeleteBoo...Caillou. Our kidlet recorded a billion episodes whilst playing with the remote and when my husband asked if I'd recorded it I totally threw a one year old under the bus. I was unreasonably insulted. I can't say that I'm proud of our watching habits though. Our original plan of zero TV until his second birthday lasted to his first birthday and I only let him watch Peppa Pig, mainly because it's a British show and if he develops an accent it will be hilarious. So far he just snorts at the television. Success? Yes.
ReplyDeleteHang in there! Criticizing fictional children's over-indulged lifestyle is exactly what I would be doing during treatment. That and eating lots of food delivered by my in-laws and husband. You could probably get away with one of those little bells you can ring to summon your minions. Could be fun.
Grace LOVES Peppa Pig! I have several episodes on my phone for desperate moments. Now that's a show I don't mind at all--I think it's cute. I would've taken it personally too, if someone accused me of taping Caillou.
DeleteA bell...why haven't I thought of this before?? I'll get on that!
omg CAILLOU. Nobody should have to be subjected to that whilst undergoing radiation. Or ever, really.
ReplyDeleteI apologize on behalf of other whiny french-canadians. I've actually banned it outright in my house, it makes my 4-year-old very whiny himself.
LOL! Apology accepted. Hmmm, maybe this IS contributing to Grace's overall whine factor. Must consider.
DeleteThinking of you, dear!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, La!! How are you? I thought of you on Derby Day! :)
DeleteThinking of you, dear!!
ReplyDeleteAmy, I was thinking of you yesterday. You had a BIG day with church, my guess is that surely must have not helped with you feeling tired:( praying for you guys as always.....and oh Caillou! I'm so glad I was not subject to that...I don't think it really grabbed rebekah...now Barbie and her movies, that's a whole nother story!!!
ReplyDeleteI actually really like most of the Barbie movies! Island Princess has some really good songs. ;)
DeleteWe have almost the whole bloody collection but I do like most - my fave is Princess and the pauper and I can be found singing the songs on my own. I must have a high tolerance as I can handle caillou as well. Now dirt girl world i cannot even look at her face ; )
DeleteIt's good to hear from you. Thinking of you and sending you lots of love and even more superpowers to help get you through this part. xxx
ReplyDeleteOh, Caillou! Even the theme song is annoying.
We missed the whole Caillou thing in our house but it seems to be the most complained about kids show in blogland!
ReplyDeleteRadiation is disproportionally tiring, doesn't seem to be such a big ask but sucks the energy levels big time.
Good tip about the aloe Beccy, good luck with all of it
Ha! Caillou is pretty sad. I mean you must really love your daughter to have laid there and watched it. Maybe you will get some super power through your treatment that will allow you to burn a hole through the television simply by looking at the whiny kid on there. Ha! I hope this month just flies by for you and you get your strength back quickly.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you and wishing the malaise would go away... Lots of love to you from the Danes
ReplyDeleteThanks, girl!! Xoxo
DeleteOh yes, Caillou. "I'm just a kid who's four..." GAH. I hate that show, too. It's his voice, too. Almost as bad as that lisping duck on Wonder Pets.
ReplyDeleteI think it's totally reasonable that you are tired from the radiation. My husband had some rough side effects when he went through treatment, although that was about 17 years ago so I'm fairly certain they've upped their game with the treatment. But you can feel free to blame everything on the radiation. That seems only fair.
My sons watched Caillou when they were young and they're now eleven and nearly fourteen! I can't believe that damn show is still on! I, too, hated it, and now that voice is in my head. "Caillou didn't WANT to go outside" --
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear that things are coming along and so sorry that you are having to endure all of this. Healing thoughts and prayers your way --