Update # 2

Hello everyone,

Thanks again for all your kind words and support.  The last few days have been an adventurous one.  The one thing I have learned so far is just when you think things are good, bad is just right around the corner.  Today is the 1 week mark from receiving my 1st chemo treatment and it has been a roller coaster ride.

Today I had my follow up appointment with my doc.  She needed to physically check me out as well as run blood work and talk to me about the meds and my next chemo appointment. Overall I had a good morning.  I think one of the toughest things about today's appointment was when I actually got in the elevator.  My appt is in a medical building which includes a children's center.   As I got in the elevator, a family joined me wheeling their special needs daughter onto the elevator.  She was laughing and giggling with such delight as if she didn't have any idea where she was going.  My heart broke and the tears flooded my eyes.  My cancer is hopefully curable but this child will be like this forever.  How can something so innocent and young be so ill but yet her spirit soared so high inside her.  At that moment, I felt silly that I felt so sorry for myself but yet felt so inspired by he positiveness.  

The appointment went well.  The doc checked me over and said everything looked good.  We discussed my next chemo treatment and she decided to move me to an afternoon session to see how my body reacts to the treatment.  The doctor wants to make it as nausea free as possible and I must admit, I do too.

I'm hoping this week will be on the up and up.  I plan to go back to work tomorrow and of course bring lots of munchies, water as well as sporting my new do.  This past Friday I cut 8 inches  off my hair and donated it to locks for love.  It was an emotional process but also liberating as well since most of you know I've had my long hair forever.  There is no way I would have cut my hair this short otherwise but I really had no choice.  I'll be cutting shorter later this week which I do believe will be the toughest cut and i did manage to purchase a wig in preparation of what is to come.

Cody is having a tough time with my shorter haircut and I worry how he will react to the wig.  He knows that mommy is sick and that doctor is working to get her better but how do I prepare him with all the changes in my appearance?  I'm looking into some cancer support groups and hopefully will find for moms with young kids. 

Again, I want to thank everyone for the support, encouragement, the meals and e-mails.  I'm hanging in there and although I don't want to wish the year away, I'm anxious to get this all over with and get the old Jen back.

Love ya,
Jen