Chemo Round II

So far not too bad with Chemo Round II - actually feeling better than the first time, now that I know the drill.  No puking, slight fatigue and nausea but not near what it was before.  I had acupuncture done the day before and after, and I really think it has helped a lot! 

To give you the run down: Thursday, my day started by a nice, long work out - a few days earlier than the Dr. predicted (or approved) but I felt ready for it and it was amazing!  I got my wish for an afternoon Chemo time and gave my Oncologist the usual hard time.  I asked if I could speed up the Chemo treatments and just do one every week to get it over with faster :). He laughed at me as usual and told my mom, "I'll bet she was fun to raise" - LOL.  He thinks there is a good chance that my continuing treatments will be as good as the first but that my hair will fall out soon.  But not to worry, I have plans in the works to welcome the new "DO" to the family when it happens.  Stay tuned for the rest of the story on that! 

I had the usual reaction when they "accessed my port".  The port is a device that was surgically inserted into my chest so that the infusion can be put directly into me there instead of an IV (thank you!).  They insert a needle and draw blood from it.  It really doesn't hurt that bad but the whole idea of it just makes me a little queasy, so if you ever come with me please hold my hand and help distract me.  I hate seeing my own blood and I get sort of a metallic taste when they access it.  I also tend to cough and get a bit sick to my stomach.  But that went away after about 30 minutes.  Then I met with my Dr. and he gave me the go ahead to start the infusion based on my red and white blood cell counts being good to go!

So I checked in at infusion and then the party really got started.  I had a visit from Kimberly, the Study Coordinator.  She followed up on how my side effects were going and I was happy to report that they were pretty minimal - I wonder if I get paid more for that? There is a small stipend for participating in the study - yea, it pays to get cancer - LOL. 

Then the cute nutritionist Lindsey came in and gave me the ok to eat junk food for a few days after treatment as long I get back on track after that ;).  Lots of good advice on supplements and creative recipes I can try.  It was really nice that she came in to help pass the time and convenient to meet while I am sitting there.  After about the 5^th time of the nurse checking my badge to make sure it was me, I asked if people really try to sneak into Chemo ;)? 

My fun and beautiful friends showed up and gave my cute mom a break from me after my shenanigans.  We laughed pretty much the whole time and I think there were a lot of dumbfounded people in the infusion room.  The nurse came over and congratulated us on our merriness :).  I loved it!  They also brought me Jamba juice and chips (hint if you ever come – they say it helps to suck on cold things during the infusion).  Thanks guys!

I got to rip off 2 more links in the Chemo Countdown Chain – yahoo, only 12 left (25% done!).  I loved the quote for today:

“The scriptures tell us there must be opposition in all things, for without it we could not discern the sweet from the bitter. Would the marathon runner feel the triumph of finishing the race had she not felt the pain of the hours of pushing against her limits? Would the pianist feel the joy of mastering an intricate sonata without the painstaking hours of practice? In stories, as in life, adversity teaches us things we cannot learn otherwise. Adversity helps to develop a depth of character that comes in no other way. Our loving Heavenly Father has set us in a world filled with challenges and trials so that we, through opposition, can learn wisdom, become stronger, and experience joy.”  Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I am so grateful for the wisdom, character and even joy that this trial has brought to me.  Have I mentioned that your prayers are working?  Please know that it is becuase of you that I have been blessed with this perspective.  You truly are wonderful for your love and concern.   Chemo Round III - Thursday, August 11th.  If I don't write much, it's probably becuase I'm out paryting :).