Thursday, October 31st, 2024
UPDATE: The winner is…Beth!
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October
- I wrote zero words! Zero! I didn’t even revise anything I’ve written, although I have a book coming out soon that needs it!
- I completed 3 editing projects for other authors in October.
- Still, with so little productivity, I feel like I climbed mountains.
Health-related:
- I underwent my third round of chemo and noted how I felt during the days after so I could try to figure out how to work around the chemo schedule. The fatigue continues to be the worst part. My 4th round, which was to start on the 28th, was canceled due to my extremely low platelet count. The chemo-induced anemia is kicking my butt. The aches only last a few days. My white blood count takes a beating, too, but the shots they give me after chemo bring it up quickly. They are going to adjust one of the medicines they give me to try to address the platelet issue.
- I’m maintaining my 20 pounds weight loss.
- I’m losing muscle tone. I know I need to add some sort of exercise to my schedule on days when I can get around, but I’ve just been so tired I tend to sleep a lot.
- I had a CT scan with contrast yesterday. The “shadow” they previously saw on my spine is gone. The nodule on my liver is gone. They see reduction in the thickness of my omentum and the sizes of the tumors in my ovaries and uterus. I won’t know any numbers until next Monday. But progress! 🙂
Happiness-related:Â
- The family has been wonderful, doing takeout and watching movies nearly weekly, so we have family “events” to share.
- I didn’t paint a thing this month. No drive at all. It’s like the writing—anything that requires imagination takes too much energy.
November
- To revise, format, and upload The Demon Lord’s Cloak for its release on November 12th.
- To complete Ignition, the fourth book in the Delta Fire series during November’s NaNoWriMo.
- To complete 4 editing projects in November!
- To write at least 1/4 of Built Like Mack during NaNoWriMo.
- My writing goals may be pie-in-the-sky goals, given I have two bouts of chemo sceduled for the month, but I have to shoot for something.
For health related, I plan:
- To go through two more rounds of chemo, which when I look at my calendar seems overwhelming, but I’ll get through it.
- To continue to watch what I eat and hope I can manage to drop a few more pounds.
- To up my physical activities so that I don’t lose any more muscle. Maybe I’ll give myself stairstep goals or walk the driveway to the gate and back goals—on days when I’m not sick as a dog.
For happiness-related, I plan:Â
- To fiddle in my art room!
- Attend the local art guild’s Potluck Dinner.
- To spend time with the family—movies, meals, and flea market adventures! I’m not overly ambitious.
- Enjoy Thanksgiving and Christmas decorating with the family!
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 November…
Like I said, comment on anything for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!
Comment
Hi Delilah, all I want to say is that you are one impressive person. Your attitude and the fact you have written this update is truly amazing. I continue to pray for minimal reactions and more strength for you. You keep on keeping on, and as my son who had cancer at 16 has written on his wrist, “This To Shall Pass.” oxoxo
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Take care of you and don’t get down over what you don’t get done. Take pride in what you do get done. Just make sure that you get the rest that you need! Hugs!
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The progress shown on your scan is wonderful! I’m really happy to hear it. Here’s hoping for continued improvement there!
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I am glad your scans look better… my sister had a scare recently, but more tests gave her good news… still staying positive that her cancer has not returned.
Happy Halloween!
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Your progress is a positive.
Happy Halloween
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So glad to hear of your small but positive progress, Delilah! Keep fighting!
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Give yourself leave to rest – your body needs it to recover. I’m still working on tasks I’ve assigned myself to clean out more stuff – donation to local hospital thrift store, get a carload to the town recycle/junk center. And since I’ll be flying next year (first time since 2002) I have to go get a TSA precheck – that’s apparently so I don’t have to go thru all the checks at the airport. I’m on the 2nd book of the Laura Lippman Tess Monaghan series.
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You are making progress and that means you can write next month.
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I remember my mom going through radiation. She kept saying it didn’t affect her at all even though I knew it was making her nap and her skin was so itchy. If you said you were writing and editing and getting so much done I’d have asked how! Save your strength for the important stuff like healing and family right now.
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I’m glad your scans look better…and, I’m sending positive thoughts that they’ll continue to do so. I’ll be looking forward to Built Like Mack when you have it ready….but don’t rush yourself getting it ready. I’m not going anywhere & I want you to get back to feeling better.
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We are chasing our new puppy around which should be a successful exercise and weight loss regimen. She reminds us how slowly we move compared to her 5 month old roadrunner speed.
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Glad to hear about the progress your health is making. Hope for more in the future. My skin is still itching like crazy from my radiation in August and all the meds are kicking my a$$. Tired all the time. Driving is getting iffy. 5 years for this newest med (and that’s if no more tumors appear).
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Thanks, everyone, for commenting! I love reading them!
The winner of the GC is…Beth!