treatment #3

27 February:

After the first two uneventful treatments, this one was completely different. First of all, it took 3 nurses a total of 5 tries to get my IV in. Nice veins, but they could get it to "hook". I don't know, but it was starting to hurt a bit. I actually started to feel a bit light-headed. They ended up giving me adavan to relax me.  

Once everything was running, they took my blood pressure - 98/56. Her eyes popped, but I told her that's normal for me. Nevertheless, she gave me extra fluid and kept checking on me. 

Then of all things, I developed an allergic reaction to the last drug, one that I had had twice before. My throat swelled up a bit and my lips tingled. The doctor came to see me and ordered some hydrocortisone. 

We there from 9:30 to 12:15 and were happy to escape for some lunch. Lucas, Mom and I went to my favourite Vietnamese restaurant and had a nice lunch. I'm sure if I lay down I would fall asleep, but I don't want to/can't. I have my little Evelynne playing in the snow. It's nothing but much right now, I am sure it will melt by tomorrow morning, and her snow fun will be gone for another year (I am secretly wishing for this), so I will let her play as long as she wants.  

Now the countdown is on. I have finished three treatments and have three to go. 

On a personal note, Norm just today lost an uncle to lung cancer. He was 89 years old. He kept it hidden from all but his children, so no one knew until the other day that he was even sick. Now he's gone. My own father has just been given 4 - 6 weeks left. He found out he has pancreatic cancer in September, and was hoping that chemo would give him some quality of life. He really wanted to make it to the summer.  Dad had a very rough life, but finally settled down, met the right person, and was happy. He turned 65 last July and was so looking forward to a retired life on his little ranch with Bonnie and the animals. What could be better than that? 

It's a tough time for our family right now. Evelynne just walked in and asked why I'm crying, so I told her that Popa's time is getting shorter. She gave me a hug and asked "why is Popa going to die and you're not". I don't know honey. I whispered to myself - who knows, maybe I will. Loudly I said, Momma is very healthy and doesn't smoke or drink, and is doing everything to fight this cancer. Believe it. 

I leave you with two lovely photos, taken yesterday after our crazy snow fall. 

I love the colours of the sky and the ocean, taken from our deck. 

Hershey has a riot in the snow. 

You see how my deck chairs were all set up for the sunny weather we had been having. 

I am not too impressed, but it's all good for the dog and the kids.