Finding the Upside to Chemo....

There is a way...1) look beyond the treatment, 2) plan something to look forward to later in the day and 3) bring some great chemo-companions along for distraction!

Week 1 of "pre-treatment" went pretty well. Of course I had some exceptional company to help keep my mind off of what was really going on each day. While Fred spent the better part of Tuesday keeping me pre-occupied, my dear friend Karen spent all day Friday in the chair by my side, keeping the nurses on their toes and making her expectations for my care well known to all.  After spending all day in the hospital we high-tailed it out of there to try and capture what was left of the sunshine. We headed over to the wharf, found a seat over looking the water at Joe's and promptly ordered our first Lobster Rolls of the season. Ahhhh...chemotherapy, uninterrupted conversation, fresh Bar Harbor Lobster Rolls by the water, and warm sunshine...does it get any better than that??! OK... maybe a margharita would have been a bonus but that was not to be:(

Side affects are minimal and manageable so far. The steroid keeps the fatigue at bay for the first couple days (actually I have to take something called Ativan to help me sleep and keep me from organizing my house and everyone else's on the street.)..then the third day my energy level drops alot but I have the next treatment day to look forward to - which will re-energize me...starting the cycle all over again.

Unfortunately the side affects are cumulative and get a bit more intense with each visit. The usual indigestion, nausea is expected but tolerable. My equilibrium is a bit off and besides the doorways in my house (who moved them??), the banana stand at Hannafords was an unfortunate victim (which Hayleigh thought was hysterical! Can u blame her?) I certainly gave the guy in produce something to chuckle about that night.

I had a fabulous Mothers day, with surprise visits from Nana, Greg, Kris, and their girls, Kate, Mike and Henry. Other than an ever so scary "roller coaster episode" in the morning, during which Fred wasn't sure if he should hold me, or run as fast as he could in the opposite direction, we had a relaxing day. Fred ended up taking all sharp knives and hot liquids away from me for the remainder of the day just in case. Another good reason to laugh for sure.
I think that's the key here...to keep laughing. It's a great tool for healing and coping and it certainly beats the alternative... so I'm going with it!

This Tuesday began week two of pre-treatment and my entourage consisted of Fred and Nana. This was really special, since mom was finally able to see first hand the exceptional facility where I will be transformed and meet many of the awesome team members who will be following my care from beginning to end. It will definitely make it easier for her to visualize things as we get farther into treatment and I was so glad that she could be there share in this part of the journey with me.

Friday will mean the end of round one and I am looking forward to it for lots of reasons. Besides getting to spend the "I.V. hours" with my incredible husband by my side, after treatment we will drive down to Fairfield Univ. in CT (of course I'll probably be sleeping!) to bring Shane back home for the summer, visit with Paul and Margaret for a few bit, and if all goes well, to enjoy dinner with Del and Steve on the rebound. The second half of the day will certainly make the first few hours much more palatable. Then again...the second half of these days...always is!

Many thanks for all the notes, e-mails and prayers as I begin my trek. Your words of encouragement and hope are incredible, and truly help keep my spirits on a positive track.

Love to all,
C