January 11 - And the process goes on...

SHORT REPORT FIRST: fairly harsh side effects from the last chemo, but feeling really good the last couple of days – aside from the embarrassing “almost fainting thing at the airport (more later in the blog). My hair has started to break off a lot now, so it’s time for a change (more later). Next chemo is Wed., January 14th the research group will test my “short term memory and motor skills” again to monitor the effects of the chemo that I’m taking. The “up and down” is hard on my emotions, but then remember I DO have that rubber butt thing! So what goes down… must come up!

MORE DETAIL:
New Years Eve was my last date with chemo. Monica stayed with me (I know why Garrett is such a trooper!) and together, we brought in a very subdued and peaceful New Year at Gordon’s house. Then I spent the next few days at Nick & Sue’s house where they took really good care of me. The weather was beautiful and I spent as much time as I could in their backyard, playing with my dog!! It was magic!

When the time came… Nick removed the pump like a pro!! No mad dash to MDA – yippee!!! We really should call him Dr. Nick!

His wife, Sue is a jewel! She has been such a tremendous help with my bills and especially the whole “keeping up with medical invoices and insurance statements” thing!! It would be a total nightmare without her. Of course, she’s also just fun! Her new short haircut inspired me… she looks adorable! We went to a movie and got some delicious sesame rolls at the Asian market. We also had an opportunity to just sit and talk, which was very special since she works so much! I feel really thankful to have her as a daughter-in-law!!

After I was free from the pump, I enjoyed a couple of days of solitude at Gordon’s house (yes, I DO like to be alone sometimes!). I was still feeling pretty yucky, and it had gotten really cold outside, so I just hunkered down with my blanket and my friend, TV! Actually, it gave me an opportunity to sort through more of my “stuff” and consolidate it a little more – so I was able to be a little productive!

Then the news predicted the prettiest day of the month – sunshine and 70’s! So with the help of my son David… I made it to Galveston to enjoy some sun on the beach! It was the very best medicine. As I sat on the pier, the sun started to go down and it sent out a long ray of sunshine straight out across the water, directly at me! It was like the sun was pointing at me! I love the ocean!!

As I mentioned earlier, my hair has started to really show the effects of chemo. Although it hasn’t fallen out completely, and the doctor said that it may not, it definitely has been thinning a lot, and has become very brittle – breaking off to only about ¼ - ½ inch in some places. Of course, those “some places” are never convenient – like right in the very front! So it was time for some action. My daughter sent me a plane ticket for an emergency trip to Dallas!! I was starting to feel a little better, so the timing seemed perfect.

Admittedly, my next adventure proved that I am still in denial about “my condition”… and I got a serious reality-check! I loaded up my suitcase with wheels and put everything possible into it, so I wouldn’t have to carry it on the plane (that was my strategy). Then I headed to the airport, parked in the economy lot at Hobby - which is fairly close to the terminal, walking distance for "most folks". I jumped out of my car and grabbed my stuff and… suddenly realized that I could NOT carry it! In fact, it was nearly impossible for me to pull the suitcase! I looked around and was totally alone in the parking lot (MAJOR BAD PLANNING ON MY PART). I dropped off a few things to lighten the load slightly (like my winter coat – duh!) and just headed for the terminal – stopping to rest as often as I had to. By now I knew that I was going to miss that plane. I made it inside and collapsed at the baggage claim. OK – not on the floor or anything, just into the nearest chair – but I knew that I could not go any farther.

I made a desperate “911 call” to Monica – to let her know I was going to miss that flight. She stayed with me on the phone while our incredible friend, Lola called every person in the airport… I was ordered to “stay put” and they sent a WHEELCHAIR!! I asked them “couldn’t they just bring a golf cart – so I could feel important instead of helpless???”

Honestly I was very grateful to see that wonderful lady with the wheelchair.. and thankfully made the next flight to Dallas. When E picked me up… she wouldn’t even let me carry my purse!

After a day of rest, we went “wig shopping” and had a blast! Dallas has a very special shop, especially for cancer patients and they were fantastic! You may not recognize the new me!! We’ll try to post a few pics later!

Hopefully today, we go for the “cut”… something short and sassy (like Sue’s!), to allow my hair to recover in its own time. I’ll spend a couple of days having fun in big D and then head back to Houston in time for the next chemo on Wednesday. And the process goes on…

As always.. I have so many of you to thank for your concern and support – I AM BLESSED!

Special thanks to Sue, for saving me lots of money and frustration, to Laurie for walking me through my last “melt-down”, to David for the walk on the beach, to Grandma Lola for sending out the rescue squad, to Monica, E & Garrett for all the joy you bring me (oh, and for the wig!), and to Nicholas, for being “the man” in the family since he was 3!

Love to all,
Sia