Correction, It's not the chemo that sucks...

...it's the cancer that sucks. It's an indiscriminate, equal opportunity killer. I saw it again today in a 5 year old losing his hair. We all know that the chemo is necessary so that he'll get to see a bunch more birthdays and Nancy gets to see 60. (Did I just say 60?!!!) It's just that the fatigue, and the pain, and the hair loss are necessary to rid your body of the cancer. And it has an effect on so many innocent bystanders. "Peripheral damage" is the term I think they use in military speak. It just has such a ripple effect though people's lives that I never realized before. And not just because of what is happening to Nancy. It's when I see kids and others in the Cancer Center and see the relatives, and the parents, and the children, and the friends, etc., etc., etc.

So, from now on chemo does not suck, cancer sucks. Everybody now, "Cancer Sucks!." (That was so Country Joe McDonald.)

So here we sit, one more round of chemo, the benadryl has kicked in and Nanc has dozed off and will remain so for at least 6 hours. She'll sleep through her IV Taxol, a liter of hydration with electrolytes and wake up all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for her IP Cisplatin. (Right...)

The fact that they are going ahead with her treatment is good news though. Her blood counts were not too bad. Her electrolytes were good thanks to the daily potassium and magnesium. Her white cells were really high due to her Neulasta injections last round and nothing to worry about we were told. The chemo will take care of that in short order. But her red cells are a tad low so she'll be getting a shot of Aranesp this time around.

Meet Elinor, Nancy's nurse today and our latest addition to the official list of Nancy's Angels. Elinor has been in Nanc's corner a time or two in the past and each time has impressed me as a total no-nonsense type who enjoys Chinese food and 3 day weekends. You do not want to tangle with her on any issue. I do not speak from experience, it's just a hunch. Forewarned is forearmed...

On another note, to say that the last couple of days have been hard would be like saying that having your best friend move 3000 miles away is an easy thing, cause that's pretty much what happened Sunday. Danika has been a real help to Nancy with the work stuff yes, but mostly on an emotional and spiritual level. You just can't hang out and watch the entire season 1 of House with just anybody.

So Atley, get ready to watch some corny TV and run tons of errands when you get back from NY. And Cathy, we are all hoping that Eddie continues to get better. (For those of you who don't know Cathy and Eddie, you can just skip that last line.)

xoxo