Progress Report 2

Dear Support Group

Tuesday January 20th 2009. Election day (I meant ingauguration)– Second Treatment I am so grateful. I had a very good week with virtually no side effects to speak of or that a mid-day nap couldn’t cure. I woke up Tuesday pretty rested and watched the elections (I meant inauguration) before heading to the clinic. One has to admit that politics and ideologies aside the energy in the air was undeniably positive. Not wanting it to go to waste, I took a long deep breath and made a wish for a year of new beginnings and universal healing. The ripple effect was felt through-out the afternoon with some small miracles that may only seem relevant if you were me. The first was the dreaded finger prick which was unusually painless and hardly felt, I had a good nurse. Most times they stab it and bruise it. I did not see my doctor this time which makes me wonder if he liked the cookies I gave him, but I saw the nurse who informed me that my blood count was quite low so they will adjust the chemo dosage. I am only getting one drug today which means a much shorter time in the clinic. I headed upstairs followed by my network (Sharbel and Yasmine), feeling like the Verision guy. Yasmine even suggested I get glasses like his. (for those outside the US you will need to see an add on Utube to understand or I can send you a picture). Karim continues to man the office adding to his responsibility an airport shuttle service taking Sharbel, to and from the airport. Upstairs I was taken in by my nurse Kris and without asking this time we were lead to a private room. To put things in context for you, the floor is set up with a large room lined with a dozen or so recliners. With a squint and huge stretch of the imagination you could think that it is a nail salon with pedicure chairs and that the pre-med induced grogginess is a result of a nice glass of champagne. But of course it is not, it is usually noisy, but some people like the interaction and don’t mind it. To the side there are about 4 highly coveted semi-private rooms that are usually always occupied and where I much rather be. In that privacy I could still recline the chair and receive a relaxing foot massage courtesy of my fabulous husband. Both weeks we had the room all to ourselves which I consider another small miracle. Kris painlessly tapped into my port (3rd miracle) and hooked me up to the IV. I think Kris is one of my angels in disguise. They are there you know and they show up when you need them. Kris filled me in on more details regarding the treatment, its workings and reassurances. No loosing hair she confirmed which for me is a huge miracle. The infusion went much faster this time, with only one-half dose drug and less pre-meds I was out in 45 min. No time for the foot massage, but we did have lunch. Back at home I took it easy and by the evening I developed some cold symptoms, with a runny nose which is one of the side effects, but 2 Tylenols and some Benedryl fixed it and this morning I was much better and had a pretty normal day at the office. So it is all good.
Thanks again for all the love and support
Will keep you posted
Much love
nevine