Day 1 done.

Today wasn't too bad--but it definitely wasn't fun.

I got there at 9am and spent the next couple of hours waiting around. I had an IV put in sometime around 10:30, but then waited around for another hour or so before I was wheeled off to have my new port put in. This little procedure puts a wire, and then an IV line directly into my jugular. Get this...they didn't put me out for that! Just a little local anesthetic. Let me just tell you--if you have to have an IV line inserted into your jugular, get all the pain meds you can before going in there. It was REALLY uncomfortable, like someone is rubbing a chicken bone up-and-down the inside of a tube in your throat. At least twice, I believed the masked knife wielder had poked into my esophagus. Blegh!

Luckily it didn't last too long and within a half hour, I was being wheeled back to my temporary room to receive the chemo. The chemo was fine. Any nausea that I felt came from the soap operas on in the background as the afternoon went on. ;-)

I left the hospital around 5 and I'm now enjoying the pain-free experience of oxycodone.

Ah, yes--something else! Something terrific and touching...while I was waiting for my procedure this morning, my case worker from Lister's office came by with a gift bag for me. It was from Lady X! She sent me a fun and beautiful scarf and personal note of encouragement. What a very special lady. I want to send something back, but how do you thank someone for potentially saving your life?

Ceremonial chop.

It's that time of year again. The leaves fall from the trees, snow flakes are in the air, and I prepare for another round of chemo.

In preparation for this week's activities, Ralph and I have shaved our heads. A little control over when and how I lose my hair.

Wake up

The phone rang while I was taking a nap this afternoon, and because I haven't learned that sometimes you CAN just not-answer the phone, I answered.

"Ah...Gh..Hello?" (still groggy)
"Hey, Stace what's up?"
"Not much. Just taking a nap."

At this point, usually the person on the other end says something like, "Oh sorry. Shall I call back later?" or something like that. Instead she said, "Yeah, I wish I could take a nap..." and continued rambling about her plans for the afternoon. This woman is probably tired because she has a young child and a busy afternoon planned. I'd gladly trade places in reference to reason for fatigue.

I'm angry at my cancer. Now that I'm awake, I'm off to my easel.

Postponed!!

I got a cold. I nice full-nostril, phlegm-hacking, funny-voice cold. So, Lister put me on some antibiotic to try to kick it. We are now scheduled to start treatment next Wednesday (November 23rd).

Now...maybe I can get a chance to paint some more this weekend before I go in for chemo!

The offender

Current status: Ralph and I have officially changed health insurance to a company called Highmark and they have approved the treatment without pause (yes, the SAME one that HealthAmerica waived their hand at). I start treatment on Tuesday of next week and I am due for the transplant on Tuesday, November 22nd.

Something that's interesting/weird...when I get the transplant from "Lady X" her cells will begin to take over my body. I gather it's a relatively slow process, but the eventual goal is that I will be 100% donor cells at some point. It gets weirder: if there is ever a crime committed where my DNA is left at the scene of a crime, it may be mine or it may be hers. We will have the exact same DNA. In fact, there is already a case where a bit of confusion occurred.

Bizarre.