Chemo #3 - The Holidays

The holidays were lovely and surrounded by family. 

Prior to treatment, I was feeling strong and had a great deal of stamina.  I was able to work from home and was grateful for the distraction it provided. 

I had treatment #3 on Thursday, December 20th.  We brought gifts of chocolate for Robin (front desk), Dr. Lagant and Melinda.The office was pretty quiet for the holidays with only one other patient in the transfusion center.  Brittany and I packed a 'light lunch' and enjoyed the 2-3 hours playing games and chatting. 

The nausea was better managed this time.  Brittany kept track of the four different medications that day and transferred responsibility to Alan that night.  48 hours of constant medication and sleeping made for the best immediate experience thus far.  Unfortunately, this transitioned into a challenging time with some intense stomach issues and fatigue.  Christmas Eve was the peak of the worst of the symptoms.  Luckily, Alan and the kids were in amazing form.  They had the presents bought, wrapped and everything ready for the holiday.  I was snuggled on the couch where we watched several Christmas movies including, A Christmas Story, Elf and A Christmas Carol. 

In the morning, Alan put Christmas under the tree.  We woke the kids up around 8am and enjoyed our morning.  Christmas was a 'scaled down' version of itself but the kids were so great.  Although there weren't a lot of surprises (as they helped buy most if not all) or even gifts - they acted like it was the best Christmas ever.  I was so impressed and humbled by the experience.  The true joy of Christmas, being together with loved ones/family was never so clear to me.  Afterwards, Brittany, Alex, Alan and Papa went out and shoveled the driveway/walks - hitting several neighbors along the way.  Brianna stayed inside and cleaned up for the afternoon family party.  Grammie was in charge of dinner and organized it.  I spent this time resting and getting showered/dressed.  A bit of an effort but so much better than the day before!! 

That afternoon, my siblings all came over and it was so fun to watch everyone open their gifts; especially my little nieces and nephew!  I was so grateful that they were able to come over and had recovered from some earlier illnesses that week.  There is nothing like the joy little ones have when opening their gifts.  That night, after everyone left, the kids played Scrabble with us and then tucked us into bed early; a big but happy day. 

While I would not have chosen this journey - it has provided me with some additional insights and perspective.  As a woman who feels she is solely responsible for running both her professional and personal 'worlds', I have learned that things run without me.  In someways, they run better and those around me 'gain' from the opportunity to be in charge.  Who knew?  Humbling and wonderful all at the same time.

Now it is time for recovery and building back my strength for treatment #4 on January 3rd- the official halfway point and end of Adrimyacin!!  I'm holding out hope that the following four treatments of Taxol will be milder and easier to manage through.  I so badly want to be one of those people who go through chemo and barely miss a step but that is obviously not the experience I was destined for, at least for now. 

It is my sincere hope that your holidays were also surrounded by love, family and happiness.