Life is Good--Chemo Round 2

It is hard to know how often to update this blog, I'm thinking weekly, or if there is anything new to report.  I'm doing well, but can definitely feel a gradual decline in energy from chemo round 1 to round 2, day by day.  Today is Chemo Round 2, day 5.

Monday, Chemo Round 2 day 1,  was easily the hardest day I've had, and hopefully ever will have with this cancer battle.  They put me under general anesthetic at 7:30 a.m., did surgery to place a power port just below my right shoulder blade, under the skin.  This will give easy access for drawing blood and giving meds or chemo.  Since my wrist has a big bruise from Monday's I.V., it helps me appreciate the ease the port will provide, esp. when I'm on the weekly chemo for 12 weeks after these rounds.  Anyway, I don't remember anything but waking up around 9:00 a.m., changing, and Scott driving me across the street to the cancer center for chemo.  I was groggy during the chemo and for most of the day as the anesthesia wore off.  Heath came to the cancer treatment center and stayed with us for a while.  He brought some beautiful flowers.  Around 1:00 I could feel some discomfort from the port, so took the pain meds prescribed, which had Codeine.  We left the cancer center, walking in the door at 2:15 p.m.  I immediately went over to the kitchen sink and lost everything liquid or solid I'd consumed since surgery.  My first thought was that I needed to take additional anti-nausea meds, like I needed to with round 1.  After taking Zofran, I was still throwing up.  After that dose was wearing down, decided maybe I needed the stronger anti-nausea that wiped me out.  After taking it, I was still throwing up, when I was not sleeping.  Finally, I realized that the only thing different this time from last was the pain meds.  After droppping the pain meds and switching to Extra Strength Tylenol, everything was back to normal.  I threw up for the last time at 10 p.m. and have been fine ever since.  I must be allergic to Codeine.  Sorry about the gory details.  It was a miserable day, and made me so thankful for all of the other days that have been more pleasant!  Round 2, days 2-5 have been fine.  I've controlled the nausea with Zofran, have tried to keep something on my stomach, though there's not much of an appetite, and have tried to get a bit of exercise each day--even if it's only a half mile on the hardest days.  I can work on things for a couple of hours, then rest, and then hit a few more hours of work.  The resting time is a treat, with lots of uplifting things to read.

Today, we are packing up and heading out for our first small family reunion with our own kids.  Kirsten & Weston arrived last night after finishing their Spring term at school.  They are here on an internship until August!  We will meet Garrett at a beach house on the Gulf, for a week of family time together.  I'm so thankful that we're able to enjoy this event that was planned long before we knew we'd be fighting cancer this summer.  It will be a wonderful time together.  

Thank you for your continued prayers and kindness.  We feel so blessed, loved, and watched over.  I enjoyed a verse in the book of Luke that made me smile in my baldness:  Luke 12:7 "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows."  I have loved reading in Luke, and how his account of the Savior's life gives a bit more insight into the good women that surrounded Him and served him.  I am so thankful for the good women that surround me.  Women friends locally who insist on doing small things that make a big difference, and women who live far away that are inspired with uplifting words to share.  I am also so blessed to have a wonderful husband, sons, and daughters who are taking such loving care of me and our surroundings while my energy levels are limited.  Life is Good!