Good Morning

 

Yes, this is overdue.  Thank you for your continuing care and concern.  The messages, cards and calls remind me that I am not alone in this interesting and challenging journey.  

 

The first round of chemo finished Thursday the seventh. Don sat with me for this cycle.  The various ingredients for this body cocktail are not mixed rather each of them is delivered separately. The first day takes the most time three to four plus hours with four bags of different ingredients to be delivered.  Days two and three are shorter only two ingredients.  The port makes it easier to access the blood stream and saves the veins in my hands and arms. Right after surgery the port was quite painful and uncomfortable, however, that has settled into sporadic, manageable discomfort. 

 

Following the chemo I became a lump of flesh moving from place to sit down to place to lay down and making sure there was not much space to cover between objectives.  So far very little nausea only the ongoing, overwhelming fatigue.  

 

Now for the really "good stuff".  Monday the fourth before the first chemo, Lara, certainly in the top two of the world's best, most caring daughter-in-laws hosted a surprise party for me.  Some of you were able to be there with generous love, gifts and "we are in this with you" thoughts.  I am not sure I was able to fully explain how much that touched and strengthened me.  Thank you!!!   Our daughter Sarah has been here since last Friday for support and general errand running and anything else I asked her to do.  On Sunday, got my act together and went with Don to church.  When we got back, Sarah, Lara, Luke, Lexi and Cynthia had combined forces to mow the lawn -- thank you, Lexi, clean bathrooms -- thank you Cynthia and Lexi  -- trim trees -- thank you Luke, Lara and Sarah and generally making the house look a lot better than when we left.  So many small tasks associated with general house upkeep that had been neglected were accomplished.  

 

My plan is to grow  incrementally stronger until the next round of chemo on July 3, 5 and 6.  After that I realize I may be back to square one on the fatigue level, however, will also have a better idea of what to expect.  I am grateful that nausea has not been part of the process and I still have hair.  

 

Don and I continue to keep you all in our prayers of gratitude.  As with St. Paul -- I thank God for every remembrance of you.

 

Judy