#2 Infusion

Yesterday was infusion number two. In the morning I dyed my hair. Take a look. Never in my life have I dyed my hair, so now is the time. This week is when it is supposed to fall out. I can't tell if it looks blonde or some funky orange color. Gloria gave me the blue pillow and the blanket. So, with a little pitch, sorry, it still stings, but the cool cool stuff starts going through. Then the pink stuff, I now call that White Zinfandel. Like in real life, that wine gives me a headache and this stuff they push thru the IV also gives me a headache. Got done in two hours. Met a nice lady that does gourd art. Neat stuff. I decided that there needs to be a birdfeeder outside of the windows. Like looking at the mountains, watching the birds gets me in a good spot. So, I have to look and see if we have one here - otherwise I'll splurge and go to my favorite birdfeed store. Have to go for myself anyhow, I'll just add it to the list.
Ask me how I feel. Go back a week and two days to last Wednesday. Yep. Poor Dad - sorry - I felt as if Lilli was screaming, trying to hold down a conversation with my Dad and stirring noodles. I did that with my sister too, all I could do was hear the kids playing soccer in the background. So, off to Target to get my "magic mouthwash" for the mouth sores, on my list are HUGE sunglasses. That should help. I went to bed at 8 last night. Woke at 1p.m. Yikes, I was barfy. Double yikes, this sucks. I took one of my new drugs. And thank heavens that worked!!!! So,I have to wait until 9a.m. to take another. Oops, got to take my Emend (I don't know about that spelling). I am going to drop Lilli off, head over for my white blood count booster and see if I feel like that drive to Target. So everyone, I am 1/2 thru the chemo!!!!! What a great feeling. Now, the year of the herceptin treatments will be different, I think those only take 2 or so hours every three weeks. Yes, all done my IV. And, the side effects do not include hair loss.

Here we are number two. Hey-where is my nurse? Yes, Karen scolded me for saying "the" nurse in the first posting. Again, both of these nurses are on the level of saints.

Karen got a picture of my hair. OK, so it is not blonde, it looks like when I was growing up - strawberry blonde.

Eggnog Latte and Christmas Music

Now is the time to have your eggnog latte and enjoy some Christmas music. See, I have this rule that NO ONE should have an eggnog latte (cut with skim milk) until after Thanksgiving. So, shoo - go - enjoy that cup of joe. And, then, turn on the x-mas music. I went to the Dr. today - what a guy! He gave me new drugs to help the barfy feeling and lots of "you can do this" pats on the back. Looked in my mouth, yep, I have the mouth sores. No salt please. So, after my visit with the Dr. and then blood drawn, I stopped at Starbucks and got a latte. Switched over to the easy listening station that is all Christmas music all of the time. Sang a few songs - sipped my latte and before you knew it I was across town and at school. Gosh I love walking on that campus. I can feel myself not so hunched over anymore. Still, no feeling in the Thing 1 - very strange indeed! Ok, it is late, I worked on my 2nd project to get done "before dooms day" and in the morning I'll attempt #3 project. Did all of my barfy shopping, got sprite, ginger ale, protein bars, flavored water and corn. That should do to get me through. This time I am taking Mary's advice and drinking 6-8 glasses of water. OH my goodness, before I sign out...I walked past this room today and this lady was laying down and her face looked orange. Too much makeup I think, but it scared me so I did not want to look any further! Yikes. Gloria made me a nice blanket and pillow for my arm so I'll take those with. Just think, by tomorrow night I'll be 1/2 over....with chemo - still another year with the other stuff.

Here is the picture of Old Town - that will be us next weekend walking around. Can't wait!

Six weeks out

Here are some pictures of the Thing 1. This is six weeks out of the lymph node surgery. Here is how I feel. My stomach - it is like I have a big piece of scotch tape horizontal across my stomach. Pulling. It is not like the mending of the hip to hip cut - but I can feel the left side is "short". Guess it is because it is in my boob. Which by the way, is healing and I think all of the swelling is gone. Nice SMALL Thing 1. Oh well. Guess I should had the plastic surgeon take the fat from my thighs to make it bigger....on the other hand, ouch. No more. My arm, as you can see in the picture - I can almost do the full stretch over my head. Still can feel under the armpit. Oh well - who needs to feel there anyway. By now I am sure that I could braid that hair - don't care and sorry if that grosses you out my fair reader. It is reality. So, I am getting ready for my 2nd chemo on Thursday. I have to clean the fridge out on Tuesday. That was the worst thing the last time. Ick. I also am determined to not get sick over the weekend. I am going to take all of the medication and who cares if I am loopy. Not me! Just get through it! Why you may ask. I won 4 tickets to the Nutcracker on Saturday. Yes I did. I LOVE the Nutcracker and can't wait to take Lilli and Chris. Even if we see 1/2 of it - that is OK. So, I was listening to my favorite classical station today (NPR stinks during the day here) and boom - I called in an was and was the 6th caller. I won. Who knows where the seats are, the venue is Popejoy Hall at the University. And then, after that, our Starlight parade. Big day, like I say - I can't be barfy. OK, I am now tired after going to my class tonight. Talk to you later.
Here is my sweet out of focus girl eating peanut butter (we are focusing on protein)
Here is Thing 1. Looks nice - huh. I don't know about you - it looks like I could put my change in that little pocket and zip it up.
Here is the sun belly button. How did they re-do it? I don't know. And don't want to know.
This is how far I can reach over my head.

Wow - I feel good

Finally - I feel pretty good today. The down side is that I just keep eating. Strange. Made a really good cucumber, garlic, dill, mushroom salad - a twist to grandmas - I put a bit of Vidalia dressing on the top as well as olive oil. Short story - brought it for a side dish - forgot it in the frig - and now I am eating it for dinner. Strange how I really want to eat the good food.

Anyhow - the day is over - I am so Thankful that each day is getting closer to get done with this process. I am very Thankful for my family, far and near (I just can't imagine doing this without you). I am Thankful that my husband takes on the Lilli responsibility and does a nice job with that. Thankful for all of my friends, new and old. And mostly, Thankful that Lilli did not figure out that the "coins" given to her tonight contained chocolate until she opened one on the ride home - after hours of playing with them! Seriously, life has such a strange way to make you laugh. If you have not heard this one - Lilli will hold your head between her two hands and say "I miss you so much". Can't do anything but give a little giggle.

No early morning shopping - I figure that we will spend the morning doing something fun. Stay away from those crazy crowds and maybe go wild and splurge on a Happy Meal!

Happy Thanksgiving -

I can't find a picture of a Turkey - or figure out how to save it on the computer at school - oh well. I am getting ready for the 4p.m. class, the day before Thanksgiving - posted my paper and hope for the best. I am close to plugging away at the rest of the papers to get them done by next Thursday - DOOMS DAY (2nd infusion). That way, I can take all of the drugs I need to take and not get sick.

We are going to some friends early in the pm for Turkey and stuffing. As I said, we will be very nice guests - we will bring food, stay for a while and leave. I am packing a few videos for Lilli as I am sure she'll be looking for something to do - then again they have 3 dogs.

My favorite nurse called me back about the headaches and got me some other stuff. I realized that my appointment is next week and not today - then I panicked - I can't be this icky all weekend - they are closed~~~~~ by the end of this I am sure we will get it figured out.

And, note to self (yes everyone out there) each person reacts differently to chemo. So I hope that many other people don't get these nasty headaches and barfy feeling. For me, I think I am going to buy big sunglasses and cover my ears. Make the stupid people go away....oh - did I say that out loud.

See, I am still not myself and I am going to sign off. Who wants to listen to a gal who mouth is tingly, head is tingly (Chris keeps pulling on my hair - is it falling out? yes - he is going to shave it - mister smarty pants!)

I'll take some nice pictures of our day in Placitias.

It has been a few days

I feel like shit.

But, the good news is that I got up this morning and took a shower before noon. My head is screaming, I am going to the dr. today. I hope he can give me something for these headaches.

Yuck.

Can I just pull the covers over my head?

Do you think anyone would notice if I didn't come out of my room for the day? All and all, I have been battling a be of nausea - similar to when pregnant. The pills have helped but I took one this morning and it made me so tired and jittery. We went to the zoo for some fresh air and then I came home and slept for 2 hours.

One more pill tonight and then I am over the 48 hour time.

That is about it for now - I am signing off and getting under my covers.