ENJOYING MY TIME OFF

"OUR MEMORIES OF THE OCEAN WILL LINGER ON, LONG AFTER OUR FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND ARE GONE"  ANONYMOUS

Wow, what an incredible day it was. On labor day we went to the beach with my friends, her daughter and our kids.  Pat made some GREAT fried chicken and I made some salads and away we went.  When we got there we were welcomed by a  ten minute rain shower.  We set up our canopy and just sat under relaxing.  I must have had a good three hours or so when I didn't think about my cancer and it was soooo nice. The only bump in the road was when Brady got stung by a jellyfish.  He was quite brave and survived.  The day was actually overcast the whole time and that made it very enjoyable.  It will be a day that I will remember for some time to come.

BEAM ME UP SCOTTY

Though everyone tells me that having a port will be a great thing, I can't help but dislike it.  It has left me with a nasty looking scar and a definite achy, uncomfortable feeling in my chest and neck for nearly two weeks now.  On September 7, I had to go for lab work and an appointment with my oncologist.  I numbed up the port site with Emla cream and they also sprayed some freezy spray on it.  As I held my breath the nurse inserted the needle and thank goodness I didn't feel a thing.  She took some blood from it and flush it with heparin, that left a nasty taste in my mouth.  After going to the lab we went to see Dr. Shah.  We spoke about the clinical trial that I am qualified to be in and decided to go for it. We also found out that my chemo will start on September 16.  I will still get the same plan of care that we were planning, but may get some extra stuff, it just depends on what group I am put into.  When we were done speaking with the doctor we spoke with the clinical trial nurse and Frenchie.  WOW, Frenchie had more information on the chemo drugs and anti-nausea drug than we both could deal with, thank goodness it is all written down.

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN

Well the time is drawing near for my first chemo session and I am pretty nervous.  I partied it up this weekend though, my last hoorahs!!  I went Saturday afternoon for a pedi and mani, hoping that a good coat of paint will save my nails for the harsh effects of the chemo. Saturday night I went to my friend Kelly's for dinner and then we all went downtown to the Eola Wine Company for cocktails.  I always enjoy getting out of the house when Pat is working and this will be hardest for me because once I start chemo I really can't get out that much.  Sunday was another trip to Kelly's for dinner.  Her boyfriend is leaving for a few months for work so we had a grand send off for him. So, for now I will leave you with a couple of photos, the first is of my husband and I at a birthday party on August 1, the second is when I cut my hair in the beginning of August for the first time, the third is recent of my hair now since being cut a few weeks ago and the last is of my toes with my pink ribbons on them.  See ya soon..........