one down...

I had my first round of chemo yesterday and I think overall it went pretty good. I was surprised by the quantity of drugs they put in me, just seemed like a lot. Anyway, I was feeling pretty good when I got home and had a bite of supper then things went downhill a bit. I was light headed and then the waves of nausea came and came and came. It was a rough night, but by this morning it had mostly passed and I've spent the day just chilling and being looked after by Dave. I think without him here keeping the drinks and crackers going I would be in worse shape.

great vacation

We had a great week skiing. We hadn't been to Saddleback before, and will certainly go back. The conditions and weather were the best we've had and the hill was a lot of fun. This past week had been quite busy with tests, chemo training and the port-a-cath was implanted. Tomorrow chemo starts!! They are giving me three types, plus a steroid (there goes the Olympics) and something for nausea. I have my new hair, so I think I'm ready :-) Time to get the party started.

good appointment

I went to see Dr. Rayson, the chemo doctor, yesterday and it went really well. The best news was the cancer hasn't shown up anywhere else in my body - big relief! He explained everything really well and I feel a lot better with the approach they are recommending. He was so positive and told me to forget everything I know with my Dad's experience and said that "I will write my own story and we are going to make it a great one". Love him!! I don't have the exact start dates for treatment, but it will be the week of the 23rd. I am going tomorrow to meet with the wig people then on to the hairdresser to have my hair cut short to help prepare myself for it to go. I'll be honest that I am feeling a bit low today which I know logically is crazy because the news was so good yesterday, but I think almost being able to count on just my fingers the number of days until treatment starts is freaking me out.

aren't tests fun

I have been having some tests before meeting with Dr. Rayson (chemo man) tomorrow and in the process am learning so much. Like when going for a CT Scan you are left to sit in a waiting room (which isn't a room at all but a set of chairs in the high traffic hallway outside the scan rooms) in your johnny shirt, so high heel boots and knee highs are not the best fashion choice. So today I went for a bone scan where they inject you with radiation then a few hours later strap you down to a table while a camera moves slowly over you, for 22 minutes to be exact. Building on my learning from the CT Scan, I went in flats and lovely socks but of course for this one I got to keep my clothes on. I asked them if there were sure as I came prepared, but no, just the watch and belt had to go. Really that was cool because their "waiting room" was very similar to the CT one. But I did learn something new for today as luckily I saw a little posting in the waiting area indicating travel may be an issue after testing and to ask. Turns out the stuff they injected me with can be picked up by bomb detectors at the US border and coincidentally I am crossing into Maine on Friday to go on a ski trip with Dave and the kids and friends for a last bit of family fun before treatment begins. Good thing I asked as I now have an official letter stating why I met set off the bells. Won't that be fun!!