Did I mention that I love roller coasters??!

Hi Everyone!

It's been an interesting 2 weeks since I have had a chance to sit down and vent. Lots to do around here to get ready for the "treatment" phase. First and foremost, I would like to thank everyone who has reached out to us - either by posting comments, prayers, phone calls, cards, letters, and of course the well traveled "USS Friendship Life preserver" that I now have in my possession! I cannot even begin to express how much your support means to me and my family during this difficult time. It definitely brings a smile to my face, (and yes,sometimes tears) to know how much you care. It's hard not to feel "alone" at times in my thoughts and then I will get a card or comment or email, and know in my heart that you are with me too. Keep the jokes coming...because if you don't have any good ones, you'll have to listen to mine (which really aren't very good!). The kids have expressed their strength, courage and acceptance with us over the past few weeks, now that they have had time to process what the months ahead will mean to all. They are encouraged by my will to deal with all of this, but most of all by the outpouring of support from all of you, their closest friends, and God...who will be there for them through it all.


Fortunately, I have had a lot of time to reflect during the last two weeks as I began to prepare our home for my little hiatus in Boston...I think I was trying too hard in the beginning to separate my mind, body and spirit in an effort to process and compartmentalize this "mid life challenge"...but realized I can't... and shouldn't. You would think I would know this after all my years of marathon training! You definitely need to draw from all three to survive any marathon. God has made sure that they are all wonderfully connected and it's that strong connection that will allow my mind and spirit to thrive when my body isn't able to keep up...or for my body to take over when my mind takes a walk on the wild side(only sometimes!)or spirits are numb. Your thoughts and prayers have helped me to find peace with all of it.

We have had lots of diversions in the last couple of weeks, which is a good thing. Cleaning, cooking (stocking my own freezer for a change! LOL), organizing closets (winter is all but gone-yeah!), and getting everyone immunized against potential viral threats to my soon-to-be-weakened immune system. (That was sooo not a fun trip to the DRs - even with the promise of an apres' visit to Cheesecake factory!) There have been the usual track meets, birthdays celebrations, confirmations, and school projects to keep us busy.  We had a surprise  reunion in the North End with Jim, Susan, Paul and Margaret complete with a fabulous dinner at Antico Forno and lots of laughs. We also finally got around to giving Hayleigh's "crib" (bedroom) a teenage makeover that got put on the back burner last year (mmm... wonder why?), enjoying spring spruce up around the yard (my personal favorite!), and of course getting Bret ready for prom season (he has 2!) and graduation from High School(!!). We are thrilled that he has decided to attend the business school @ Quinnipiac University, a school that he has felt a special connection with since the beginning of his search. It is in Hampden CT so he will be only 1/2 hour from Shane at Fairfield U, and 15 minutes from Auntie Del and Uncle Steve in Middletown, CT.

Speaking of Auntie Del...part of my preparation time over the last two weeks has been spent figuring out how Fred and I can sneak away for my fabulous 6 week vacation...OK...so it's for my chemo and stem cell transplant...details details! (not the first time my mind has had to offer me a reality check!) I have to tell you that Fred and I are so blessed that "my sissy" Del has graciously offered to take a leave of absence from her job for several weeks to play tag-team with Fred as my "personal care givers"...which the hospital requires 24/7! Not an easy task! Of course you know me...that term "personal care giver" just wasn't doing anything for me ...so I offered them the new title of Cheryl's Entourage...which they gladly accepted. (Would you deny someone on Deximethozone (think of Prednisone x 4) anything anyway??!) We have figured out a pretty good schedule moving forward so that one person will be by my side at all times, giving the other one much needed respite from my ranting, ravings and general demands over the course of each week. (After 25 years with me, Fred doesn't have a choice, but anyone wanna take bets that Del might be regretting her decision after 2 weeks??!We'll just see who will be whining then! She might need a few cards and letters of her own -LOL)  They will be monitoring my meds, meals, never-ending sarcasm, temp, transportation and basically anything else I care to bother them with for the duration of our time in Boston and beyond. Throw all the wonderful Dr's and nurses at BU Medical Center into that mix and I am in the best hands!

Being away from the kids for that long is going to be very hard, but knowing that family and friends have generously offered their assistance to us during this time which has brought me great comfort. While Shane will be back from college and working at his new internship @ Covidien, and Bret will have already graduated from HS, working at Hilliards (ice cream anyone?) and the Comcast Center, Hayleigh will still have several weeks of school in June, not to mention final exams, so finding the right mix for providing continuity and support at the homebase was crucial. We are hopeful that there will be time for them to visit us in town on certain days so they can witness first hand this incredible healing transformation.

Day 1 of Chemo Treatment was yesterday. WOW am I glad that is over. You dwell on it for days and weeks before it happens and try to put the fear of a new-unknown in its right place and just get thru it. It was a good day overall, lots of information to review on day one and infusion of my first of many "chemo-cocktails". Besides Anthony, who will oversee the entire treatment process, the other nurses we met (who will also be with me for the duration) were terrific. Of course, the fact that Jim was a BC Nursing school grad '76, and Jane's daughter goes to BC now, and that they each have 22 years of experience in oncology helped our relationship get off to a great start! Jane can do IV insertion like nobody can! It made for a very pleasant morning. All in all, I feel good today. I am tolerating all of the meds very well so far. I liken this round of chemo to a ride on the old white wooden Comet Roller Coaster of yesteryear @ Paragon Park on Nantasket Beach! The ride starts out slowly, takes you up up and up until anxiety puts you over the top - Prednisone x 4!, then on day 3, a quick bumpy descent (ya gotta love side effects!) into fatigue for another 24 hours...only to go in for another treatment on day 4 and start the ride all over. I always did like roller coasters...but this one...maybe not so much. Let's just say...I'm holding on tight for now. While not terribly thrilled about the whole situation to begin with, I am actually very happy to begin my campaign against these pesky amyloids, and oh so thankful that they now have the means and medications to hopefully make this setback...but a memory. Along with your loving support, God's healing powers and his almighty grace, I will endure and survive.
Today is another beautiful day so I'm headed outside to work in the garden. Thanks for listening!
Love to all,
Cheryl