Chemo #2 and Days 1 - 3

Chemo #2 has been easier. Even though I did have a headache and eye swelling until the end of the following day (day one), it was far less intense than I experienced with Chemo #1. The best news of all is that I only threw up once; the new anti nausea medications work great! I will still take the one required medication for a couple of more days, but have almost eliminated the additional medications. Today I will see how it goes without the additional meds. I do tire easily and must take at least one morning and afternoon nap; but I think the fatigue is less this time also.

My appetite is increasing again; we'll see if I have any unusual food cravings this time around. I have found that I can taste grape soda and I look forward to that occasional treat. Yesterday April and I went for a late lunch of soup and salad at Olive Garden. We ordered Alfredo Sauce to dip our bread sticks in; I am sad that Alfredo Sauce is now added to my list of food that does not taste right. Lucky April had it all to her self, however the Tiramisu tasted great so she had to share that with me!

You will never believe what I did on Thursday - I went out to get the mail without a hat! I did not realize it until I had come back into the house. It has not taken me long to get use to the idea that my hair is gone; hmmm maybe I am not so vain after all. Thank you for your phone calls, cards, posting comments and/or sending e-mails - you helped me to overcome some of my discomfort. One of the irritating side effects of not having hair is that my reading glasses will not stay pushed up on my head and I keep finding them on the floor! ha

While I was receiving the infusion an oncology nurse brought a new patient over to meet me. She would soon be starting chemo and I was asked to talk with her about my experience because I was a relatively new chemo patient. Well I felt like an "old-pro" and my peer-counseling skills kicked in right away as I looked at the fear in her eyes and held her hand while talking with her. I know I looked and was just as scared on my first office visit. I hope I eased some of her fears most importantly, I hope that her experience will be as easy as mine has been and that she has a wonderful support system like I do.

You: my family, my friends - each of you is dear loved ones; you have helped me tremendously and I count each of you as a blessing from God.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.

Thank you for: "lifting me up”, keeping me warm”, and helping me to not be "overpowered".

May God bless each of you as richly as he has blessed me today.