I guess if you put it in fractional terms, it makes it sound a little better than 3 down, 9 to go. Next week I'll be 1/3 done, and that sounds even better. This may be a good lesson to go over with my class. We are on the fractions unit, so it fits.
Anyway, thank you for all your kind words about my father-in-law. Yesterday we had the memorial service, and it was a beautiful tribute to him. All of his kids said a few words. Very touching.
We also had my side of the family here for Thanksgiving. It was great to have everyone here. Typical of most holidays - lots of food, laughing, singing, game playing, and drinking (them, not me). I'm thankful that we had the time together to just hang out. Needless to say, between the two events, Stein and I are just lying low today.
Some good news on the cancer front - I had a doctor's appointment before my last treatment, and he said that the tumors that could be felt are shrinking. I knew that they would start shrinking, but I thought that wouldn't happen until after the 3rd or 4th treatment. It's amazing, because the tumor that led to the diagnosis can barely be felt now.
In the meantime, we're getting used to the new normal. We have our treatment day routine down, from applying the numbing cream to keeping my "chemo bag" packed with all kinds of goodies. I usually don't need half the stuff I take with me, but it's nice to have it if I do. Treatment weekends are usually pretty casual, and then the week after is back to work and life as usual.
Chris was here for my last treatment (thanks again, Chris!), and we took count of the people around me who didn't have ports (3 out of 4!). At my last doctor's appointment, I said thank you to him for giving me a port. He kind of laughed, but I really wanted to let him know that he's doing a good thing when he puts it on a patient's "to-do list". It's not the most comfortable thing to have this bump coming out of my chest, but it's better than getting poked each time I have to give blood or get a treatment.
Also at my last treatment, I was lucky to have the same nurse administer my chemo who did the last time. It's always nice to have some consistency when you feel like just another number in a chair in the huge sea of chairs. We were able to chat about what's been going on with each other and talk about upcoming plans.
In the hair department - it's still hanging on. It's very thin, and my part is parting like the red sea, but I haven't had to break out the wigs, hats, or scarves yet. I'm fine just waiting. And while we're knocking on wood, knock one more time. I know that the effects are cumulative, but overall I haven't had any bad nausea. I definitely don't feel 100%, but I know I'm lucky to not be feeling a lot of the effects. Yet.
I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving spent with family and/or friends. I'm thankful for all of you and your continued prayers and support you send our way.
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