October 10, 2007

Well, here I sit today on the 10th of October after receiving my first chemo therapy last Thursday AND Friday.

Steve, Dan, Genae and Anina (my sons, daughter (inlaw) and graddaughter were here to help me through the weekend with Dave (hubby). I did pretty well considering.

Thursday Dave and Steve were with me during the 2 and 1/2 hours of chemo. I went back Friday with Dan, Genae and Anina and Dave & Steve to receive the 3rd medicine that they couldn't give me on Thursday because my body needed one more thing in it before that med was administered.

Did you know they give you steriods to help keep your energy level up and then let you hopefully slide gradually down from there? Well that was the plan. But that's not what happened to me!

The boys and girls left Sunday afternoon. Dave and I took the evening easy. Monday was a harder day because I was dehydrated and not feeling well at all. I went into the Doctor's office to receive hydration and more steriods. I've been on steriods now from Thursday through today.

Because I have diabetes, there were a few complications. I lost blood pressure, which is opposite from what I'm used to. Usually it's high. But it dropped to 80/60 and I was about to pass out. This is why I went back to the doctor's office again Tuesday to verify the pressure was doing better. I've now taken my last steriod until my next chemo treatment and my bp is about 120/80, so much better.

The sugar levels last night were out of control - 383, but this morning are 138. So, I'm feeling much better although very weak.

I'm hoping today is the first day of starting to feel better. I'll let you know in a day or two if this is so.

Onto the events that have transpired since. The family and I had a head shaving event. This was Sunday morning after breakfast. Dave got a number 1 shave, Dan got a number1 shave and I got a number 1 shave. So we're all bald eagles. Steve is in the process of growing his beard the longest ever, so he decided to stay with this goal, which was good because we need someone who looks normal! Then there was Genae who is sooo normal looking with her beautiful hair. She actually sat in the chair to shave her head too, but we wouldn't let her. Not sure how the baby would've reacted if she would've done that! But I know she is a trooper too, and if I had asked her to shave, she would've. Thanks Genae for not doing it!

I have a wig. I don't know now that it looks real, but it did when I first bought it. I thought it was a great disguise. I've been wearing the blue night cap with frizzies on it when I go to the doctor's office. I look like a goofy person, but who cares, right!

Another great thing happened today. I looked at my email at work, and due to the announcement of being on leave and asking for time donations, I'm finding that there are lots of people on campus that really are wonderful. (Of course, I already knew this!) A few notes to Patty, who is taking care of the catestrophic leave from those who I either work with daily or occasionally, have volunteered to help me financially. I TRULY appreciate this!! I also appreciate the love and thoughts and concerns that I'm getting from you all too. Thank you. It's helping me more than anything!

As much as we complain about things, work does identify me more than I have really thought it would. I'm anxious to return. This is a really crappy way to get a vacation!

I hope this is making some sense. I'm not feeling 100%, so when I go back to read this maybe I'll correct it!