I've had two Chemo infusions now. Learning and adapting that's how I'm moving through Chemo, that and my Movement is Medicine priority to hopefully help lessen the symptoms and keep my brain and body happy.
Chemo day number two. This infusion hit hard after the two day Steroid intermission. Thankfully it didn't last long. The oncologist ordered me some new meds that should help in the future if I need them. I think I've figured out a plan for how to approach infusion number three.
As I've said I try to walk every day. This post is about some of the more fun outings we've had this past week.
Six days after my infusion I felt like I wanted to go to the Sand Dune trail at the Cranberry lake/West Beach area near Deception Pass. We've walked it before and it is interesting and scenic.
The lake was high when we began the trail.
I spied some baby Geese❤
We walked wide on the trail so we wouldn't disturb them too much.
As you can see our efforts weren't completely successful, they gathered together in a nice little group farther away from the trail.
The Sea Thrift was in full bloom when we were there.
I took a close up of one of the flowers.
We stopped at one of the view areas and looked over the grass filled area of the lake.
The trail has a great Sand Dune section,
and just a few steps away Goats beard hanging off of the trees.
More Sea Thrift through the Sand Dune trail
and more Goat's beard hanging in the trees. Such a diverse eco system on one short trail.
The Sand Dune trail leads to West Beach.
We walked the beach back to our car.
There were lots of drift wood structures along the shore, but this one was unique.
Little treasures had been tucked here and there.
On Thursday we went Kayaking for the first time this year.
So beautiful❤
If you expand the photo below you'll see that we were admiring the view of Mt. Baker in the distance.
While we had our Kayaks together I thought I'd get a selfie with both of us in it. It was obvious that it wasn't going to work. Both the angle of the boats when we leaned towards each other and my husbands lack of desire to be in a selfie won out. The following photo shows how fun I thought the joint selfie attempt was🤣
The following day we decided to head to the Centennial trail in Snohomish county for our walk. This was a low traffic day on the trail unless you count these folks. Since my immunity is lower now after chemo, I make sure to mask up and keep my distance when out in public.
Yesterday was the icing on the cake!! Our first Snow shoe of the year❤
The conditions were perfect for our snow walk. I felt the altitude every incline and had to rest to re-gain my breath, but mostly it was fine. I had a few of my chemo symptoms to manage during the walk, but I always bring a bag of supplies and helpful medications (I'm a quick learner). We went 1 1/2 miles around the upper ski area, looked over Bagley lakes/Herman Saddle and Table mtn. before turning towards a view of Shuksan on our return to the car.
Table mountain
My husband looking towards Table mountain.
Me, walking along and enjoying the views.
We took a rest break and enjoyed watching skiers ski down off of Herman Saddle and into the Bagley lake basin. They skied to the right and below that area below Table mountain where you can see there had been avalanche activity.
Shuksan peeking out around the hillside.
I'm glad that the Chemo so far hasn't taken away my energy. I plan on getting out whenever I can to enjoy doing the things I love. I understand that my perspective on how I want to live while on chemo isn't what most people think of when they hear that someone is going through chemo, I have no intention of sitting around and waiting to do things till after I'm done with my treatments. I'd rather manage my symptoms while active than sit on the couch managing them. I'm not reckless about my health, if I'm tired I stay home and rest, If I feel good enough to get moving I get moving. Going through chemo myself has changed my own perspective on what I thought I would be able to do & I’m glad that it has.
Maybe my journey can give someone else a new perspective about what life can be like while going through their own cancer treatments.
Getting comfortable with the uncomfortable.
