Thursday, July 22, 2010

Chemical Warfare, Sisters and ...to infinity and beyond!



My eyes are "shadowed" in light blue and lined with a brown liner. Mascara is on and blush has been placed on my "apples". They are the little round places on your cheeks that appear when you smile. I've dusted my face with bronzing powder and have lipstick on my lips. All this in an attempt not to look like Boo Radley in "To Kill a Mockingbird". So this all means that it must me "chemo" day. Indeed. Taxol # 3.
It has been a good two weeks engaging in Chemical Warfare. Taxol seems to have less severe side effects than the previous meds. I have had no sudden dips in energy levels and no fever or acute illness. A little more overall tiredness but quick naps are all I need.
It has been a great 2 weeks!
My eldest grandson, Liam, turned 3 on July 12th. I met his baby brother via utrasound on that day. So sweet. On Saturday, we had a birthday party for Liam at our house. The theme: Toy Story AKA..."To infinity and beyond." A phrase that was heard frequently that day. His cousin Leigh was here and they had a grand time running through the sprinker and later slidinig down a daddy/grandfather created silp-n-slide. The slides were apparent attempts to make it to infinity....
My sister Judi came for a 2 and 1/2 week visit. She is here to help her big sister. Since I don't need much help at this point, we are spending time just having fun. We sisters are three so we don't feel complete without our middle sister Patti here. We will have to plan trip with the 3 of us. We have shopped along mainstreet Waynesville, gone to Earthfare to buy healthy, organic food, watched movies, had spa treatments, have taken walks and even babysat Liam for a few hours on Wednesday. He can sure keep his "Grandmom" busy. We still have the Folkmoot parade and a visit to Cataloochee valley to see the elk, on our schedule. It has been over 20 years since her last visit. So much to see and do.
Will keep you informed of our adventures! Stay cool!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Boot Camp

A story: I feel a little like I've been going through "Boot Camp" since being "drafted" into the Pink Ribbon Club (This is definitely not something you volunteer for). Basic training has drilled into me the importance of exercise and good nutrition, preferable organic food ( have you seen the movie Food, Inc. lately?) and I have learned that bald is beautiful even if you're not Demi Moore. I was given my own "C" port (sic) (AKA Chemo) and I've even begun Special Ops training in Chemical Warfare. I've completed and passed part one: Adriamycin and Cytoxin and begin a new special 12 week assignment with Taxol tomorrow. I expect to wear fatigue almost daily. This tour of duty should be over around the end of September. Then, I plan to be discharged, honorably, and having earned "my stripes". The end.

It's been a good 2nd week after A/C. Some fatigue but no fever. Yesterday, I had my pre-Taxol labs, exam, an ECHO Cardiogram and an EKG. I should be good to go! I'm not sure what to expect as far as side effects. Sometimes, I think that the practitioners are intentionally vague about that. I feel quite certain that I will have some bone pain since I've already been given a prescription for pain medication.
We had a nice 4th. Celebrated with a cookout and safe fireworks at Ashley and Chuck's. Leigh entertained us with her badminton skills and story telling. She had quite an audience with all grandparents being present.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer. Keep cool and wear your sunscreen!