Chemotherapy Day
Thank you for all the good wishes on my first Chemo day. Its 4:00 now. I arrived at 8:30 and have two more hours to go. It's a long day, but easy peasy compared to the early post surgery days. My oncology nurse recommended I try the cold cap, which cools the scalp down so the drugs that are killing my cancer cells can't do as much damage to the hair cells. My type of chemo therapy works by targeting cells that are reproducing quickly, so hair, nails, and mouth cells are all affected. The cold cap only works on about half of patients but since I have so much hair it might be enough to keep me looking "healthy." So that was all unexpected; we should know if it will work by next treatment.
Aside from that, it was just a lot of lying around generally feeling a bit weird -- spacy and sleepy. I did have a reaction about 5 minutes after the Paxil started. But the nurses rushed over and gave me more steroids and oxygen and got me all straightened out. So that is about all to report.
On a more fun note, I just spent the weekend in Amsterdam! Bruce was at the University all last week preparing for a Ph.D. defense. Floor Soudijn, a lovely young woman studying fisheries modeling, defended her thesis. Bruce was there to lob "friendly fire" questions at her as "the opponent." On Saturday and Sunday, Andre, Floor's adviser and Bruce's coauthor, drove us to Keukenhof flower exhibition, the windmills, and lovely cafes next to bridges. (I posted more pictures to a posthope album.) Andre and his wife Lilianna cooked us a wonderful dinner and bought me a beautiful tulip scarf at Keukenhof. They both doted on me and gave me great memories, a full summer's vacation packed into a weekend. Thank you so much!
Hugs to everybody, Michelle
Comments (14)
Sending you many healing hugs, many smiles and much support. You are in my thoughts and I think by now your mom and Jim are with you. Love ME
Hi Sweetie The cold cap sounds great! Sending lots and lots of good love and good thoughts We will be there soon Mom
sounds like a lovely time! It is much too hot here in SB for April, (90F) I am fantasizing about Amsterdam and cool air! xo Jonelle
We are all sending good thoughts and hope your first treatment day went well... Such happy photos of you guys in Amsterdam - thanks for sharing! I love tulips (and pretty much all flowers) and it must have been spectacular to be there at this time of year! Hugs to you and Bruce. xo Jan
What a wonderful get away and a great change of pace. Some wonderful pics. I hope you can fill your days between treatments with more short trips like that. xoxo Patty
Hi Michelle I want you to know I think of you, Bruce, your Mom and Jim everyday, everyday. I was thrilled to see you went to Amsterdam---brought back happy memories as I too visited there in the spring. So glorious. Like you---meeting and making the most of each day. In addition to cold cap, there may be other good surprises down the road. Keep up the positivity---it sure beats the other choice. I admire so much your ability to share your thoughts and feeling with all of us. Much love Suz
I knew you were a cool person already. The cap just makes you cooler . . .
What a pre-chemo treat! Awesome! You continue to inspire us with your approach to this period in your life. We will be pulling for you all the way. BTW, love the cold cap!
Hello Michelle! You may not remember meeting me, but I am a good friend of your mom's.....since grammar school! You have been in my prayers for complete recovery and healing. I love seeing your photos and beautiful smile. You are facing a tough situation with grace and determination ---- kudos to you and your beloved husband and your family! All the best to you, Elaine Hord, Visalia, CA
Hi Michelle! You may not remember me either but I am your mom's forever friend Patsy. We grew up next door to one another. Although we have only met a couple of times, you have continually been in my heart and in my prayers. And after all you have been through, you look amazing. Hang in there Michelle...I know you can whip this thing!! Take care and God bless.
Hi Michelle, I'm another grammar school friend of your Mom's! She had been so good about keeping us posted on your great progress. You've been in our prayers from day one! Keep up the good work enjoying the loving people and beauty all around you! You're in the best of hands! Love to you, Barbara Young Visalia
With much love and positive energy coming your way Michelle. You are brave, and even heroic for your willingness to openly face and share the journey you are on. There are many lessons in this for all of us. Much, much love and hope for a bright future, no matter how long or short that might be. Love, Anne Walton
Dear Michelle, As I have told you before, I am so impressed with you and how well you are facing this huge health challenge in your life. I concur with your friend who wrote that you are teaching us all so much about ovarian cancer, and very important lessons in life on bravery and determination when faced with challenge. Thank you for being so open with sharing your experience! Me and corgis are looking forward to seeing you whenever you are ready for company. Keep up the good work Michelle -- as your little note by your bed states "you are not going to die today, and you are not going to die tomorrow." All best wishes, Anne Marie
Dearest- Reading your posts makes me feel closer to you...I wish it wasn't cancer and chemo...but tulips and travel only. But you, dear brave one, have opened your life to me and I am so grateful to feel myself walking along with you. I miss you mucho mucho!! David and I are traveling in Japan-- our first night we woke at 1:45 am on the 29th floor of our hotel in Osaka to swaying and creaking from the 7.1 earthquake 300 miles away. Existential to say the least. We are visiting lots of temples-- the largest Buddah in Japan today at Nara. I love you both- can't wait to hug you. Xoxo