Chemo - Treatments 3 and 4

Well, it's been a while since I've posted. I'm not a great blogger (but I'm great at other things!). Treatments 3 and 4 have come and Thank God, gone!!! Ginger was there with me, keeping me company, laughing and observing. I think maybe the chemo room is happy we're gone too. Yes, we were loud, yes I had an allergic reaction everytime, and yes, they don't know how much they're going to miss us! However, my goal is to never go back to that room as a patient! I'm done!!! Now, it's on to radiation treatment. That will start in August. Did you know that I get a tatoo?? Yup, a tatoo. I guess it's to make sure they are radiating the right spot. Do you think they could fashion it into a rose or a daisy? I'll ask!
Oh! BTW, my neighbor Lisa Corti has formed a team to run/walk in the Susan Komen Race for the Cure to be held in Boston on September 26th. Contact her or me if you are interested in being on our team. It should be a great time for a great cause. I hope you will think about joining us!
xoxo Susan

P.S. Lisa's email address is: cortivet@yahoo.com

The Many Hats You Can Wear When You're Bald

Ah, the many hats I wear. Last week my friend Lori came all the from NJ to visit me. We had a lot of laughs reading my diary from when I was a teenager and enjoyed spending a couple of days together. While she was here we took some pictures of me in my new hats. Please enjoy the photos and if you have a hat that you think I would enjoy wearing, send in on over.

Who Wants to be Bald? Join the Club!!

Wow!!!! I got a call the week after my second treatment from my good friend Steve Rosenfeld. He told me that he had something to show me and could he drop over. Yes, of course, please do!! When he got to the door and took off his baseball cap I couldn't believe it! He had shaved his head in the ultimate support of me!! Check out the pictures and don't forget to comment (I hope you are able to make comments, I changed some settings to make it easier).

Two Down Two to Go!

I finished my second treatment on Monday May 18. It went well, just a little reaction to one of the drugs but not anything near as bad as the last time. Mom drove me to the hospital, Ginger stayed and watched over me (made me laugh too) and Simone picked me up and drove me home. A real team effort! While I'm sitting in the recliner hooked up to the iv I'm pretty much out of it. You never know what I'm going to say (well, ok, even when I'm not "out of it" you never know what I'm going to say so you can imagine how bad it could be). Ginger is there to remind me of all that goes on. A few days after the treatment we play the "Do you remember when....." game. I really don't remember much about what went on there in the chemo room but Ginger fills me in. Here are some of the things that happened (according to Ginger) at my second treatment:

• The guy who was really grouchy at my first treatment was there again. He was not as grouchy this time. I woke up to find Ginger in a very pleasant conversation. She could tell you his life story but you'd probaly not be very interested.
• The chemo nurse was mean to me and to Ginger. We don't like her. She wouldn't let Ginger sit in a recliner (even though there were empty one and she wouldn't have taken one from a patient). She also said we talked too much (are you kidding????).
• An old woman shuffled in and brought her lunch in a brown bag (I missed this whole thing). Sounds like a really fascinating story. Sorry to have slept through it.
• When I had a reaction to one of the drugs I jumped up and yelled. I do remember this and no, I'm not embarrased, although I probably should be.
• Ginger bought the formally grouchy guy a bag of chips. Yes, she's definitely going to heaven for her generosity.
• I had to use the "facilities". The nurse and Ginger came into the bathroom to me. According to Ginger I had a lot of liquids to pass. Aren't you glad to know this.
• Ginger got me a salad from the cafeteria down stairs. It was really good and I ate the whole thing. Also, this is when she bought the chips for the formally grouchy guy.

So, now you know the kind of things that go on at chemo camp. I hope you find this information fascinating and maybe even useful in some weird way. Got lots more to tell. I'll update again soon. xoxo Susan

Hair Yesterday, Gone Today

Well, it's gone. It was there yesterday but it's gone today. I'm talking about my hair. I really thought I was going to be one of those people who keep their hair during chemo. You know the 1% of so who have hair that just won't let go. But.... I am not. I went to my hairdresser Angie yesterday who opened her shop for me. She's normally closed on Mondays but I called her and she ran down to meet me there. She cut it really, really short and told me to pull it out by hand. No shaving or buzzing it because it hurts. I got home last night and starting to pull it out by hand. It didn't hurt because it was ready to come right out. I am officially bald (well, except for a few stubborn stragglers). I have a bandana on today. I'm also wearing large hoop earrings. I feel like a pirate. Maybe I'll get an eye patch to complet the look! I do have a wig but it feels big on my now bald head. I got it fitted when I had a huge head of hair - might have been a mistake?? I'll wear it when John takes me out to all those fancy places but I'm probably just going to wear the bandana or a scarf. They're just more comfortable for me. I'll take pictures so those of you who are far away can see the "look". It 's really something to see!!

Surpise from the UPS guy

Yesterday was a really good day. Nick was back to school after a day of rest because of a sore leg (???) and I was home alone. I got lots done, you know the usual for a SAHM (that's stay at home mom for those of you who don't know the lingo) cleaning bathrooms, folding laundry, cooking meal, etc. I went out to do some errands and arrived home at the same time the UPS guy was delivering a package to our house. I should say a HUGE package. Nick got the box from the driver (I think he was hoping it was something for him) and lugged it into the house. What could it be? I'm alway suspicious of packages, especially if I don't know where they came from - what if it's a bomb, or filled with an undentified white powder? Check the return address I told Nick just to be safe. It said, "Thank you for your order". I didn't order anything, what can it be. After a closer look I saw that it came from Suffield, CT and the address was EDM. Ok, now I know. That's my good friend Arlene's family business address - they sell lawnmowers. Great, they're sending me lawn equipment, my next door neighbor Ed must have told them we're not keeping up with the neighborhood. Ok, let's open it and get to work on the lawn. Nick grabbed the scissor and sliced the tape. One, two, three and the box was opened. Suprise!!! No lawn equipment, not even close. The box was filled with presents. LOTS of presents. All wrapped up and glittery. I've taken a picture so you all can see what my good friends in Longmeadow sent to me. Now, if it had been lawn equipment I would have been happy, if it had been just the note I would have been happy. I was just happy that they were thinking of me. I started to cry. Nick looked at me? Why are you crying if you got so many presents he asked??? He's already a typical guy. They just don't get it!!! I want to say thank you to all my friends and family who have been so supportive to me. Whether you call, stop by, ask John how I am, send food or presents it is all SO very appreciated. That's all for now!

xoxo Susan

One week Later.....

One week later you have to return to chemo camp for bloodwork. After all the good stuff has been pumped into you, your system can be a little "off". A few vials of blood will tell. I am happy to report that my white blood cell count was low but not too low so that I needed the dreaded Neulasta shot. This is a shot that stimulates your bone marrow to starting pumping out massive amounts of white blood cells. White blood cells are the guys or maybe I should say the gals that keep infections at bay. We need lots and unfortunately chemo kills them along with the cancer. This shot, from what I hear - and I hear a lot, makes you feel really horrible. You get more flu like symptoms and you have bone pain. So, needless to say I was very happy to learn that I didn't need it. I did have to go walk in hours at the pediatrician with Nick the other day (nothing serious) and I was not delighted to be in a room full of sick kids. There were tons of them, sneezing, whining, crying, coughing, dripping with all kinds of bodily fluids. I had to pull the cancer card and ask to be put in a room away from those little monsters. I would have worn a mask if I had one - people would probably think I was afraid of the swine flu but it probably would have been a good idea. I'm happy to report that I didn't get any infections from the germ infested pediatricians office and I'm feeling much better. Talk to ya soon.

xoxo Susan