#6 delivered,10 days to deal with it, YAY

Here's the update that went out by email this week,

Hello friends and family.  It's been a busy week!  First and foremost, in spite a two day delay again, waiting for the blood levels to get healthy enough to treat, on Friday, April 20, we finally accomplished Treatment #6.  It was an interesting feeling, a turning point and on to stage 3 of this cancer treatment: radiation therapy.  When they informed me my PICC line could also be removed I was almost nervous, that was the tap line for chemo and bloodwork for the past few months.  But, "TAKE IT OUT" was my option and now I feel strangely set free... how bizzare.  I was thankful that Doug could once again be released from his day at school to come with me to this last treatment.

So, now it's the standard three week cycle to allow the chemo to do it's job, (the familiar "dentist dust" mouth taste has arrived even quicker this time around) then it's a last Dr's appt with Dr. Pitz and nurse Linda, before he turns me over to Radiation Oncologist Dr. Cooke  and nurse Barb, to monitor and care for me during Radiation.  Radiation will likely start after the long weekend in May and go for six weeks, putting me at about the last week in June for completion.

As always, I've felt well cared for by my medical team and supper(intentional mis-spell) well cared for again by our community of friends and family.  Thanks so much the for relevant and unique ways you continue to accompany us as a family on this journey.

We had my Dad and Ruth in for a visit this past week and it was GOOD!  Derek is back from Kelowna with great new skiing skills and good stories of learning how to live with four room-mates in their condo.  He's expressed appreciation for "a cat to pet" "nice sharp knives to chop veggies" and a "frying pan that your eggs don't stick in".  The small practicalities of life, newly appreciated.  HE's now looking for work, hopefully to be found soon.

  

Michael started a job in lawn care this week, he's excited about doing outside work and not having to tap his creative brain for a while.  His 3rd year architecture year has been good and he's looking forward to fourth year and degree next year.  

Lindsey is away on a 10day Choir Tour with Westgate, she's discovered Akron, PA, New York City, Washington, Elkhart IN, Chicago and whole lot of bus time.  We're looking forward to her arrival home on Monday night.

Jonathan is into practices for Flag football and looking forward to riding his bike to school next week since the weather is supposed to turn to spring again.

Doug is pulling long hours teaching (as usual) and coaching Badminton (lots of after school running around to practices) 

So there's a picture of our past month.  We're looking forward to outside time and I'm experiencing what "chemo-hair re-growth" looks and feels like.  It's fuzzy and irregular and "aack" kind of white...apparently that might not last...

#6 on the way, but not today...sigh

Well, in the past few weeks dealing with the #5 chemo effects have had me anchored to the couch, my favourite chair, my bed ,and had me working verrry slowly in my loft.  I've been careful about deciding where my energy goes, and evaluating how much my immune system might be challenged in large crowds   So, I missed some Easter Events, said no-can-do to some concerts and even had a nap in Sunday morning church for the first time in my life!( I don't think I snored...maybe it would have passed for beat boxing in the hymn?)

I haven't been able to decide if the gloomy, cooler weather has made it easier to be fatigued or if it's stopped me from being more active (which might give me more energy).  I've decided to try the other approach through the next treatment...time to get on the bike and roll, I can always nap on a park bench if I need to...hmmm I think I'll outfit a panier with picnic blanket and a pillow...that should do it :)

So, according to schedule, tomorrow, April 18th should have been treatment #6 day, but, once again, my body has not managed to bounce back and make enough "neutrophils" fast enough so, the blood counts were too low and I'm waiting again. Dr says it's not uncommon for the body to take longer to come back by this stage of treatment so, apparently I'm still doing great, the low numbers are good indicators that chemo is actually doing what it's supposed to (that's good) and we'll try again for Friday, April 20th...okay,two more days to enjoy the taste of food before the tastebuds go south again. I'm good to go, I know once the first 10 days are tolerated, it'll be home stretch and bye bye chemo toxins, out of the body...looking forward to that! I probably don't even realize how many "discomforts" I just put up with every day...I hope things can go back to normal and not too much damage has been done to the good...Let's go Friday.

On a completely different note, the fabrics in the quilt below are the same line that I'm using for the Westgate Bursary Banquet Benefit quilt.  Same fabrics, quite a different (and Val Pankratz original) pattern.  The blanket below is from http://thedomina.blogspot.ca/2011/03/verna-baby-quilt.html .  If you're interested in an evening of music, a great meal, good company and opportunities to win great prizes and support the Bursary Fund for Westgate, let me know!  I'd be happy to set up a table for you.  Bring some friends.  I'll post the quilt when I'm finished quilting it!  ( hopefully by Friday, since I now have more time to feel better and get some work done).