Chemo #3 Update

Hello fluffle! Let me start off my small update by quoting the saying many of us have heard before, " how the mighty have fallen". This is how I am feeling right now. Chemo #3 took a huge beating on me and I am working my way back to recovery.

Chemo #3 was on March 31st, running just at 3 hours like my last treatments. I had to wait around a bit longer for my blood work, my potassium and liver enzymes are not falling in line where they should. Some giant horse pills and a little love and I think they are getting back on track. This time I treated my nurses with healthy food because Dr Audrey told me no one ever brings healthy treats! I learned from my mother longer before cancer that you should always make friends with the front desk person, the customer service rep, and the nurses. The doctors might make the final call but if you can't get past the gatekeeper you get nowhere. So I am nice to my nurses and they are taking good care of me!

I was not feeling well as soon as chemo began. The headache and nausea that have lingered post other treatments came back with full vengeance. I have learned that the steroid is the least favorite part of my cocktail, but without it I get horrible migraines. It makes my head very like I am in a bubble which means I cant drive. I left chemo feeling very tired but was able to enjoy a lite lunch with mom and a friend Sherri. That night Kodi was over and helped the kids and I decorate Easter eggs! Kodi has started coming over every Wednesday to help me with the kids and around the house. Thursday and Friday where both spent napping and frosting cookies for my 3 Day fundraiser. I made 22 dozen cookies and made a $440 donation to Ava and I's fundraising. Saturday I was able to sit on the back porch and watch Ryan and our friend Matt put together our new swing set and smoke ribs. It was a sunny and much needed spring day.

Sunday we celebrated Easter by attending church and 2 small backyard family gatherings. The sunshine and Easter candy were everything I wanted for the day. I was full of joy in celebrating Christ's gift of new life for us. Unfortunately the day was hard on me and Monday was my crash and burn. I had to rely on my wonderful Mother in law Lori to handle the kids. Because of a kind soul, they were treated to a Hobby Lobby shopping trip and Wendy's with Bama. I don't know how I would get through this without her help! Tuesday was another miserable day, but I did reach out to my doctor and shared my symptoms with them! My sister Jenn came to my rescue and both uber-ed me to the office Wednesday for blood work and to talk to my doctor and provided me with a fluff and fold. Let me be clear, she did my laundry! Praise the good Lord, she is a saint for this! I enjoyed the 36 hours she was here and it only makes me wish we still lived in the same city. For those who do not know my sister well I would like to share a short snapshot of our relationship.

Jennifer is 8 years older than me so by the time I was old enough to be fun to hang out with she was off at college. When I planned my move to Columbus the summer of 2009 I had planned to live for a short time with other family before moving into my own place. Well I ended up being pregnant with Ava and things were changing a bit. Before she had even fully moved in with her boyfriend, at the time now husband, Dan he opened his home to me and the rest was history. I was a firm and fun third wheel living in the basement at their house in Marion Village. Jennifer was my life partner. She was my shoulder to cry on, my birthing coach, and my hand to hold during the most trying time in my life. She helped me transition my life from teenager to motherhood. Having her here for me during this season of my life is just as important and I am so very thankful she is my sister and friend. Please see below picture of her dancing outside my chemo window!

Today, Thursday (day 8) I am feeling more human! I got lots of computer work done and all my emails caught up! I got dressed which is more than I did almost all week and had a quick lunch date with my mom. I have agreed to come back in tomorrow and a couple times next week to get fluids and more IV nausea medicine. One more big guy to go! I think we are almost to the end of "the hair journey" so that post should be up soon. I can never say it enough- thank you for being here alongside me on this journey. Your prayers and support mean so much to me - Xoxo