Round 4 - Here we go again!

Counting down with this chain from my friend Michelle S. Each chain represents one treatment day. Since I do mine 5 days in a row, she changed colors for each week of treatment. We tear off a chain every time I complete a treatment! Isn't this a cool idea? It gives you a visual count down. We can watch the chain get shorter and see the end as it approaches. My kids like to help me tear them off. Tabby makes sure I don't forget. This is a gift that keeps on giving.

So, I am starting out round 4 feeling great! The last round was a little tough and I went into it with a cold. I also had many significant side-effects and both my doctors decided to lower my dose back to 150 instead of the 170 I was on last time. I am happy with that decision and am sure this week will be fine. My blood work is still good, and my energy is up. I actually decided last week, "Out patient Chemo is doable". It took me this long to decide that but I am feeling like I can do this, work and be Mom all at the same time. OK, I'll take a break from all that once a month but that is just how it has to be.

We've had a little bit of fun around our house these last couple of weeks. The boys built a fire pit - to code - for any firemen out there. David is a good researcher and followed the best safety precautions he could find. Although we laugh when we are sitting by the fire and we hear sirens. We joke that they are trying to find our fire that may have been reported by a neighbor from across the green belt. For those of you who don't know what our back yard is like: we are backed up to a green belt. It is bigger than a football field in size yet, we wonder if the people on the other side see our flames. Its not easy to get to and we picture the fire department running in circles looking for us. Hee Hee Hee. The weather has finally cooled off in the evenings and we have been eating a lot of marsh mellows! Did you know how many types of marshmallows you can get now? It's amazing! And delicious. Yes, we've made s'mors and even cooked hot dogs on sticks. Next we'll be popping up a tent in the back yard. Who needs a camp ground when you have all this? :)

Tabby and I also had a weekend to ourselves a couple of weeks ago. We got a hair cut and had our nails done. Fun girly time. Then - BUM BUM BUMMMM - are you ready for this? She went on her first audition! This was all her doing, her idea, her everything. I was so proud of her and learned so much about her. She has said that she wants to sing and act but I knew she wasn't ready because she was still so reserved in front of other people. Well, not anymore. She is breaking out of her shell and I am really impressed. We were told that she was in the top 3 for her 10 year old girl category and they saw 1200 kids from 6 to 18 that day. She made up a monologue which she performed and received an "Excellent" rating. Go Tabby! Looks like we'll be doing acting classes, more performances at school and church and anything we can get her into so she can get more practice. I know I am her mom but look at this picture and tell me she wouldn't stand out in a crowd of kids. This is her Halloween costume as a Rock Star. David took her shopping while I was sleeping on the couch recovering from my treatments. They both did a great job! For the audition, she had black boots for kids, not silver heals from the 70's, and she left the hat and gloves at home. But she was still cuter than ever.

By the way, I think the Chemo is working. My right arm that has been numb for 4 years is starting to get feeling back. The last couple of weeks, I thought it was changing but wasn't sure. As of last week, I am pretty sure. In fact, yesterday, my arm had some sharp pains deep inside which I just realized has to be great news! It must mean the feeling is coming back because, - well, - I felt it!!!! All other symptoms seem the same but not worse. Well, I have a full week ahead. Visitors everyday! I even think I have all my meals covered. Work is going along smoothly and I just can't complain.

Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers!
MLG