Cycle 2 - Full Report

I think I have just experienced one of the toughest weeks of my life. Notice I said, "One of". I know I have had tough times before and I know there will be more ahead but it is funny how you don't always know it when you are actually going through it. With it being the first week of school, it was busy for all of us, we were all tired but I had a little more than most going on. I was so tired Monday, day 1, that I plugged in my laptop at MD Anderson and didn't do anything with it. David came to sit with me and I actually asked him to make some slides for our school announcements. The truth is, he offered, and I accepted. As we were leaving, he asked if I was sure I was OK to drive home because I looked, "druggy". That's David, always charming me with the gushing compliments. My eyes were a bit red and tired looking but I was fine. As it turns out, I forgot I had prescription eye drops I am supposed to take during my treatments...oops, that makes a big difference. Oh, one other thing about Monday. This was the first day we were going to use my port. I was very nervous but it wasn't so bad after all. It is still tender and healing but it isn't near as sore as it was the first week I got it. They told me I could chose to leave the IV in all week or we could just stick me every day. My response was, "All this stuff stays in? How weird! - uhh stick me everyday? Alright, let's try leaving this garden hose in." I managed to leave it in all week. Getting dressed was a challenge. Hiding it was a bigger challenge. I kept thinking it would fall out while I was teaching. I liked Connie's suggestion to let it hang out and clip my OCPS ID BADGE on it. Ha! What would my students think?

Tuesday, my friend Michelle Berggren came out to see me. She brought me a White Chocolate Mocha! Yummy! We laughed it up so much the nurse had to close our door. hee hee hee When the nice lady I was sharing the room with left, she handed me the remote to the TV. As I was trying to turn it off, I was telling Michelle how the nurse gave me my nausea medicine too fast and I was dizzy and all blurry eyed from it. The TV wasn't responding and I kept pressing the button. Suddenly 2 nurses came running in the room - hearing me talk about being dizzy and blurry eyed, they were very concerned and exclaimed, "Are you OK?" I quickly figured out that this big red button I was pushing on the remote wasn't the TV Power button! Ha!
Apparently, it says NURSE in real big letters, but I couldn't read it - I was blurry eyed! We laughed so hard it hurt. If I ever came close to throwing up during a treatment, this had to be it. We apologised to the nurses but they seem to enjoy good humor, even though it was noisy. This is a great place!! Thank you for making me laugh Michelle!

Wednesday, was my first day going through a treatment by myself and it was just fine. I was beat and actually wanted to be alone! I kicked back the chair, got a pillow and a blanket and rested. This was truly a down day for me. I was frustrated with some things at school and worried I wasn't going to be able to do this all year, I was tired and I didn't feel so good. When I got home, I realized I was getting a little temperature. This is earlier than last week. Don't worry, it didn't get higher than 99.5. I curled up with a prayer shawl and slept 12 hours. Thankfully, I felt better in the morning and had a better perspective on life..."I can do this." Thursday, my Mom came out to sit with me. Thank you Mom! Glad you and Jack are doing better. Then Friday, I planned to leave my car at home. I hitched a ride with a neighbor to school, (thank you Diane and Anna) rode with our drama teacher from the Freshman campus to the Main campus and was picked up from school by my friend Michelle Smith.

Thanks for the yummy smoothie! I am really getting spoiled. Its a good thing Michelle drove, I ended up needing more nausea medicine and wouldn't be able to drive myself home. I really was druggy this time. Anyway, here we are at the end of my 2nd round, 5th day...that's what the fingers stand for in case you were wondering. I did it!

So, I was able to drive myself to my treatments and home Monday through Thursday but don't really remember much after I got home. I was told to get used to that. I'd fall asleep on the couch, some how managed to eat and then fell asleep again but woke up refreshed. Some nights at Connie and Jimmie's and some nights at our house. Which brings me to this - thank you all for the food! I was not able to do a thing when I got home and yet the family still got fed!!! What terrific food, too! We loved everything. It was really great to hear the kids get excited about everything we received! They really did go on and on about the fantastic food. I wonder if I should be taking a hint? I have also gotten some better ideas on how to reach out and help others. When I beat this thing, I look forward to passing on the greatness you all have blessed me with. From the bright and colorful socks, goodie bags, visits and more, I am overwhelmed with the out pouring of love and support.

The weekend was tough. I think it takes me a few days to start feeling better. I had horrible stomach pain and couldn't do anything all weekend. That's not true, I went to church because I wanted to but really shouldn't have. (great sermon Dr. Lindamood) I had such bad pains that I had to curl up in a chair outside the sanctuary to get through it. Next time, I think I will stay home. I couldn't make it to work Monday either. So, as the kids got up for school and I laid down on the couch, they heated up a breakfast casserole from my cousins Debbie, Lori and their mom Carol. Of course, the kids loved this, too. They also brought us a dinner casserole that helped me feed the family tonight. I finally think I know what people mean when they talk about how strong I am. Looking back on the week, I was amazing. I got up at 5 AM, worked all day, did Chemo all afternoon, and still fed my family every night as if it was nothing! Kidding of course, I couldn't do it without you all! I am getting ready for bed now and think I can make it back to work tomorrow.

Again, THANK YOU!!!!