Lame rhyme, I know. I should have tried something creative involving leaven or Kevin or something, but I can't be arsed right now. I woke up this AM with a raging sore throat and swollen esophagus, the kind where you can neither swallow nor speak. I was afraid I had an infection. The good news is I don't. The bad news is that this is one of those week-later side effects of chemotherapy, and it's gonna get worse before it gets better.
The nurse explained that chemo affects all rapidly-dividing cells in your body. Hence why it kills cancer. Hence why it injures everything else. The cells most affected are bone marrow (of course) and the kind that line your mouth, throat, gut, intestines and rectum, as well as your skin. Which is why you get mouth sores, esophagitis, stomach aches, diarrhea and skin rashes post-chemo. My opinion? I don't recommend them. Mostly because they get in the way of eating. For the first time in the history of my life and historically proudly-fat Scottish family (ie, if you're not 10 pounds overweight everyone wonders if you're sick or perhaps waging a hunger strike for Scottish independence), I can't keep weight on. It's insane. I'm eating what I can, when I can, and drinking those dire Boost and Ensure drinks to supplement, but the weight keeps coming off. And also for the first time in my life, I'm not thrilled about it, mostly because I know it's muscle I'm losing. Which is why I'm so dedicated to my laps around the pod, in an effort to put a little definition back into my calves and to at least use my muscles even a little so they don't forget why they're there.
All of which means that I need some motivation to get up and out, mind over esophageal matter. Anyone recommend any good tunes I should download for my pod walks? I'm looking for stuff to keep me moving, not too fast, not too slow. I'll try anything; my tastes are pretty eclectic (my current mix has Creedence, The Killers, Frank Sinatra, Jason Mraz, The Clancy Brothers...).
Help a sister out.
7 comments:
Hans and Franz both recommend PodRunner from DJ Steve.
Check it out in iTunes store -free, and tons of different ones. Maybe stay away from the 171 BPM version until you lose Fred.
I just stumbled across your blog and I just have to say, it's very entertaining and a definite reality check. More importantly, your resolve is amazing. Thank you for humbling me.
Wishing you much strength and health-hang in there.
By the way, my recommendation for a song download- On the Road Again...it always gets me on my feet.
My driving music to SB -- Flogging Molly. That'll get the feet a walkin'.
Good thoughts streaming your way.
Well, vintage Madonna always gets my feet a-tapping. "Cherish" is one of my faves to bounce to. Also, randomly, but awesomely, "Dancing in the Moonlight" by King Harvest is a happy feel good bouncy song. Gotta love 70's organ music. I do like the Doors "Touch me" and "Peace Frog" for exactly that reason. And, I used to run to Groove is in the Heart by Dee Lite.
These oughta pump you up!! Rock on sister...
60's Chick Pop. "Downtown", "Make Your Own Kind of Music", "Son of A Preacherman", "Different Drummer", "Don't Sleep In The Subway"
It's bright, happy, and almost everyone can sing along to it.
And Motown. Lots of Motown.
Girl, you are old-time tough. /salute
How about some Johnny Cash and June Carter songs, as in "Walk the Line"?
And for the soul, "We Shall Overcome" sung aloud (with feeling) by YOU!
Hang in there, Girl! You CAN get through this, and we're all pulling for you.
My power song when running is 'Till I Collapse' by Eminem. There are also a bunch of great 80's songs that'll do the trick. I can burn these onto a disk for you if you like (Note to any copyright lawyers out there: by burn I mean get all the appropriate copyright permissions).
Neil
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