Chemotherapy...not what it used to be!

As I said in my last post I began chemotherapy this week and today was my final day. The only associations that I had with chemo were very violently ill patients. It was terrifying for me. I was really concerned because I HATE throwing up!

On Tuesday morning we went to a chemo class and all the talk on all the side effects made me so nervous/anxious that I finished the class by throwing up in the garbage can. It was lovely! We got home from the class and within in few hours the nurse, Jean, that conducted the class called me to let me know that she had spoken with Dr. Cen, my oncologist and that they thought it best that I begin chemo right away - the next morning in fact. I figured that it was okay and that waiting was torture and just delaying the inevitable.

I went to be a little nervous, okay A LOT nervous, but woke up peaceful and ready for the challenge. It helped to know that the nurses and doctors had determined that they were going to prescribe for me EVERY possible anti-nausea medicine that they could. I got to the office and Jean was there with her smiling face and got me right in. I must say that I felt way out of place. I was the youngest in the room by at least 40 years. They started my chemo and it was nothing big. Just a poke followed by drugs being administered by IV. David and I played a game of Scrabble and I got to take a nap. My Dad and Mom were able to come in and visit as well. The nurses pretended not to notice us breaking the one visitor per patient rule and I was certainly glad.

I went home after 4 hours and spent the rest of the day trying to relax. The next day I went back and had another treatment - same type of thing only this one only lasted 90 minutes. After my treatment on Thursday I got to go with my family to Leatherby's for my niece, Mia's 7th birthday. We had a great time visiting and enjoying being together. I was sure ready to go to bed after that. It was a busy night for me!

Today I went to my last treatment in my first set of chemo. David took me and I was able to just visit with him and then he stepped out to run an errand and I visited with the Social Worker and then got to talk on the phone with my good friend Allison. I had a different nurse, Mary, and I will admit it, I was a little nervous. The whole stick-me-with-a-needle thing is something that I get nervous about. Mary was good and I am so glad that the nurses there know what they are doing. After the treatment the kids got out of school and I got to walk in to pick them up. Following picking them up we went to the annual 4th grade swim party at some friend's house and had a nice visit. I then came home and took a 2 hour nap, that was MUCH NEEDED!!!!

Now I am just hanging with the kids. We are watching Swiss Family Robinson (the original - of course) and loving it! As scary as this whole thing has been, I am grateful for prayer and for the calm and comforting spirit that has attended me. I am a little nervous about the upcoming week, kids out of school, late-onset nausea, and just the unknown of a week immune system.

The good news is that my Heavenly Father loves me and he will give me the strength that I need to make it through this. I cannot thank you all enough for your prayers and thoughts. I know that they are making all the difference. Also your generosity and offers of help are a blessing to us. We will be taking you up on those offers, I promise! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!