Second chemo treatment...halfway done!!!! :)

Wednesday morning I woke up feeling really good.  Had a few things to do before I went for chemo since I know I will be down for about 6 days.  The last treatment hit me real hard and I anticipate the same will happen.  I hope not but I want to be prepared.  I change bed sheets, tidy up the best I can and get my meds situated.  After this is all done, I take a shower to get ready.  Ron and I go to lunch.  I try to eat a decent meal before treatment because the last time, I wasn't able to taste or eat anything for about 5 days.  Strange that I haven't been eating much but I still continue to gain weight.  When I asked my doctor about this, he said it was the steroids.  I hate that part.  The only good thing about cancer would have been the weight loss for me.  But oh well.  You can't have everything.

After lunch, we head to Walgreens so we can get snacks and a Redbox movie to help the time go while I am getting my chemo treatment.  We arrive at the doctor's office and I head to the chemo room.  I look at Ron and he looks somewhat apprehensive.  This is his first time doing anything like this.  I go to my recliner and get comfortable.  My nurse starts the IV and lets the fluids drip into my body.  I can feel and see Ron looking at me to see my expressions.  While sitting there, we meet some really neat chemo patients. One man was halfway done with 30 chemo treatments.  I felt guilty since I only had 2 more treatments at my half way mark.  We start conversations and just like me, I start trying to encourage and uplift.  It was nice and I think I helped.  Ron also was involved in the conversation and this helped take his mind off of what I was doing.  It doesn't hurt to get chemo but I can see he is worried about his Mom.  It takes about 3 hours for me to get all the drugs.  When it was all over, Ron and I head home.  I am normally very sleepy and tired after my treatment.  I get home, put my pj's on and get into my comfortable position of laying down.  A friend of Ron's calls and wants him to go the casino with him.  He doesn't want to go but I tell him to go.  I will be sleeping most of the evening any way.  He didn't want to leave his Mom but since he has been home, he has been stuck to me like white on rice.  He needed to go enjoy himself.  He leaves and I am happy.  And then I wait.  I wait for the side effects to hit me.  However, this time around will be different.  I know what to expect and I have a general idea of when it will hit me.  This is a battle.  I have come prepared this time.  I am ready to fight it with everything in me.  I hate Ron has to see it but he is a big boy and this will show him how strong his Mother is. I am so blessed to have the support that I do.  It helps so much.  The rest of the evening goes smooth.

Wake up today and feel good still.  Spent most of the day just resting and waiting.  I know at any minute, I will start feeling sluggish, get those dang mouth sores, no taste buds and pain in my joints.  But I have my ammunition ready for this fight.  Biotene mouthwash, check!!  Biotene mouth spray, check!! Straws so I can sip water, check!! Nausea meds, check!! REALLY good pain pills, check!!  So this girl is ready for this battle and I will win again!!!  I am halfway done and it feels good to be able to say that.  I remember when I was anticipating the chemo sessions and dreading them.  But each one is a closer day to being all done!!  This girl is on the road to recovery and it feels good.

Today, I am noticing bald spots and more hair coming out.  It is about time to shave my head bald.  I plan on calling my girl in the morning to get this done.  I also, against my wishes, asked my doctor for a prescription for a wig.  By the way, if you have to ask for this prescription, make sure that it is worded correctly.  It has to say "Cranial Prothesis" for insurance to pay for it.  I made an appointment to test drive some wigs.  I felt I should get one just in case I needed one if we go out or to an event.  I am not ready to rock a bald look just yet. :)  So tomorrow, my lovely Ron is taking his Mom to shop for wigs.  He didn't want to but at this time in my life, he is saying yes to everything I ask.  Trust me, this is something he would NEVER do if I was healthy.  LOL  It is kinda bittersweet for me though.  Thirty years ago when I had cancer the first time, my dad took me to do the very same thing.  So for Ron to be taking me this time, brought back some warm memories and a few tears. He is so much like my father and I know this wig buying experience will be memorable. I have been blessed with some really wonderful men in my life.  First my Dad, then my son and then my husband!!! A girl couldn't ask for anymore than that.

Tonight, Dre made us a lovely dinner and we had a nice night.  Watched our favorite family movie "Step Brothers."  We laughed and we ate.  It was so nice.  I knew this would be my last meal before tomorrow hits.  My taste buds will start to fade and the mouth sores will develop.  But like I said earlier, I am good.  I am a warrior and I will get through it.  This time it is nice that I have my whole family around me to help me.  It can't get any better than this!!  Well, that is a lie.  I could be all well, getting ready to fly to Las Vegas with them.  LOL  But don't worry, as soon as I am able, that is what we will be doing!!  I just need to finish this journey first!!  And I will finish it!! Was listening to a Smokie Norful song and heard these words:
I am going to run this race, take my proper place in the winning circle!! I am going to make it with amazing grace. So I will run until I am finish!