Treatment Day

This time my appointment was for the morning. Much more crowded there in the morning. Civia and I were in the office for more than two hours before the drip even got started! Well, to be fair, I extended my appointment with Sara with my many questions. I'm okay with the answers. First, not much to be done about the itch. Second, I may not ever have another menstrual cycle, but I may have it suddenly return in two or three years. No sign of it now, and I am having hot flashes ... who knows. Third, I found out that I can start radiation three weeks after I finish chemo ... which brings us to the beginning of June. I'll have it six days a week for six weeks. Perfect! My half season membership begins exactly when radiation ends. I will be allowed in the sun with a really good sunscreen. It won't kill me that my neck got a little burnt at the farm on Saturday. My genetic testing (for the BRAC genes) will be the day of my next chemo appointment, and then I'll return about four weeks later for those results. June 8, to be precise. Hopefully, my mom's birthday will bring luck to all of us. Sara had the social worker sent to my "suite," but because I was asleep Civia talked to her and took some information about financial assistance (for copays and such).

The drip was completely uneventful. I slept through much of it, bliss. Then a woman came in and asked if I'd be interested in some sort of relaxation technique (what was it called, Civia?). Much, much more bliss ... and sleep. Suddenly I was released, feeling just a bit groggy from the drugs and the sleep.

We went from there to my appointment with Dr. Wu. She is still pleased, but I have to go back in three months. I won't get my nips for six months after I finish radiation, she said. Oh well. The stitch that's nearly poking through? Nothing to do about it unless it does actually poke through. The stitches should absorb back into my body.

Oh, forgot to mention! Barbara, the one I keep seeing at Penn, the one who called and helped me so much, she was there today! When I first saw her I was worried she needed more chemo or something, but she was just having her 6-month follow-up. Thank goodness. I could've run into her at Wu's office again, but she had a morning appointment and I went after chemo.

I signed up my whole family for the Komen Walk in Philly on Mother's Day. I'm not officially collecting pledges, but if you would like to donate you can email me and I'll let you know how. I'm walking in honor of the chemo message board I joined on breastcancer.org. We all deserve a longer go at life. These are wonderful, beautiful women. And they are brave, too, posting their bald heads on our board and on facebook!

A mention: if anyone needs any fancy hair accessories, check out this company: franceluxe.com. They send free headgear, along with beautiful notes and thoughts, to all cancer patients who make the request. Most of my chemo board now owns these lovely head wraps. This site also sells combs, clips, etc. This is a small, wonderful company.

Thank yous. Thank you Barb for knowing exactly what to do, and for promising not to ever have anxiety about being there for me ever again. Thank you Civia for taking me today and for breakfast and for listening to me kvetch. Ken, thanks for taking care of everything with Jonah this morning. Thank you chemo nurses for hitting the veins on the first try every time, so I really didn't need a port. Thank you Dad and Libby for calling and for being there even when you're 1200 miles away. Thank you, Snezana, for making Jonah's morning so pleasant. Jonah had fun at your house and Zora is now one of only two or three girls esteemed enough to earn Jonah's friendship. Debbie, the hamburgers and fixins were delicious, thank you! Thank you, all of you who write kind notes. Finally, last but absolutely not least: Mom, you save me all the time. Thank you.