I am happy to say that chemo went super smoothly. No trouble finding a vein (although it was in a weird location on my arm), no reaction to the drugs and not too much nausea tonight. The only strange thing was that when the Taxol was going in, I could taste it. Luckily, they had some Lifesavers I could suck on. They really earned their name today in my book. I have a bit of pain from the Port Placement, but that’s about it. I am tired and heading to bed here pretty quick, but just want to let you all know that today has actually been the best day of my week so far! Hard to believe, but true.
Tonight was the Concert in the Park and our church band played a mix of songs, mostly U2 type songs. It was nice to go out and see so many familiar faces, but I think I may have pushed it just a bit. Mostly I just sat there while Sol and his mom chased Kai around, but even that might have been too much.
I guess I just don’t want to admit that I have cancer. I can still do it all, right? I just sit here praying that the chemo is attacking these darn tumors as I’m typing or doing whatever it is at the moment. I talked to the oncologist today and asked him about treating the 4 cm tumor in my liver and then starting chemo, but he said that it is already too big for the less invasive surgical treatments, and that he really thinks that this chemo is going to shrink it enough to get it out with clear margins in a less invasive surgery. I pray he’s right. He is going to refer me to a liver surgeon so that I can talk to him about my choices. I think that might make me feel better.
Anyway, I am doing ok. I don’t have anything until Monday when I am supposed to have a lymphedema appointment. I asked if that was ok and the doctor said yes since my tumors are not in the lymphatic system. I think I have to wear some big foam arm-squisher thing for two weeks and then a compression sleeve. There isn’t too much swelling, but they want to treat it now, so that there never is much swelling.
On Tuesday, I’ll be heading to Long Beach Memorial for follow-up with the stitches and dressings.
On Wednesday, I’ll have blood drawn, hopefully through the Power Port, if I get clearance on Tuesday.
On Thursday, more chemo.
Thank you for all of your encouragement, emails, support, hugs, dinner volunteering, babysitting, ride-giving, phone calls, text messages, and sincere concern. You all have been so wonderful! I cry and smile reading everything you all write. I received a package FULL of cards and notes from Sol’s brother, Diego’s, church family. It really touched me to receive such wonderful notes of encouragement from kids and their families who don’t even know me. There are many who write whom I’ve never met and that is so hard to believe. I don’t know why I’m having to go through this, but sometimes there are glimpses of how God is using this to touch so many lives. It is then that I feel as though there is a reason for all of this yuckiness. The Lord knows what I can handle, I think He’s really pushing the line sometimes, but I am still smiling and taking it one day at a time. That’s all I can do some days – just fall asleep at the end of the day and take the next one as the sun rises.
Well this became longer than I had expected, but thanks for reading and listening to my heart. I love you all with every fiber of my being. This site has become a lifeline for me and a wonderful way to connect to so many of you!
Thank you and God Bless,
Monica
