Thank you, sweet universe, for I have been spat out!!

Heading in... chemo number one!

It's not a pretty analogy, but unfortunately it is all too true.  The monster that is chemotherapy gnarled, chewed and ground its teeth into me for a good solid three days (growing longer and sharper varieties along the way just to mix things up)... thank goodness spitting me out yesterday to regroup and attempt to gather my wits.
The actual chemo on Friday wasn't so bad... accompanied by my mom and my dear friend Ginny I headed into oncology chin up and ready to face this head on.  Aside from the needles and a few 'reality tears' that leaked out as they started the drip, the three of us did quite a bit of laughing, gabbing, and eating of a delicious lunch that mom whipped up with love mid day.  The treatment room itself is an incredibly positive place all things considered (good, considering we were there for over four hours), and everything went smoothly... (i.e. I didn't have to ring the cowbell (not kidding! I'll take a picture next time.) labeled 'for emergencies only' on the table next to my chair).

[Quick chemo explanation in case you are unfamiliar (which I hope with all of my heart you are and always will be!!)... it is a systemic approach to killing cancer cells, so drugs (taxotere and cytoxan in my case) are administered through an IV directly into the bloodstream to assure that they have access to your entire being.  The chemo thus proceeds to attack rapidly dividing cells that it encounters - cells which include the aggressive cancer we want out (yay!), as well as hair, nails, skin, and the entire digestive tract from the mouth all the way through (not so fun...)]

So, Friday night I was wiped out but felt ok, and was still hopeful I'd escape round one with minimal side effects... Saturday, however, the carnival began and it was all sorts of crazy through Monday night... Tuesday a bit of relief and 'normalcy' (dare I use that word?), and here it is Wednesday - actually felt hungry when I woke up this morning, went to a qi gong group earlier today, ate a couple 'normal' meals (there's that word again;) ) and went to dance class tonight!:)
My blood counts should in theory go down in these next couple days, but I've got acupuncture, qi gong, a and determination on my side... trying to eat well and nourish too - many many thanks to those who have provided wonderful and tasty meals these past few days:) <3
in love and endless gratitude...
xoxo
Jamie
p.s.
Friday's the big day... hair cut party, good bye red curls:(
Bald is the new blonde, right?