“You can have anything”

Jan 4th

Round 2 of treatment was yesterday with these two angels – my niece Alex who is my inspiration to find a cure for type one diabetes and my sissy Suzy/Suzanne who came in from Louisville to be with me for a few days – blessed is all I can say.

Since New Year’s Eve I have been feeling better and better and was so glad to get some goals accomplished like walk a 1 1/2 by Tuesday and crushed that by completing the day before on New Year’s Day and then again on Tuesday! I love to set goals and crush them – yep if you didn’t know I am very competitive especially with myself.  On Tuesday the 2nd I was so pleased to feel good enough to go to the office and spend about 7 hours checking things off my list, getting most of my boxes packed for our corporate move on the 19th.  It was so great to see everyone and feel like cancer didn’t exist!

After that, Round 2 of treatment began when I went to see my oncologist – Dr Reza.  It was so good to see him and not feel or look like Lucifer was conquering.  He was glad, to see the rebound of my true self and see some weight gain.  He made an adjustment to my chemo so I don’t feel so sick but will allow us to  stay on course.  We got all paperwork signed to obtain an accommodation to work from home through treatment as he knows I love my job but wants me to be smart about being around too many people.  The best part of that visit was that he looked at me and said, “you just tell me what you need or want and I will get it for you”. Hmmm…clearly I am making my list and will bring to him next week when I see him – he said his number one priority is my well being, happiness and quality of life.  This was one of those times when I was like…this must be a cancer perk wink wink.  When we got home that night there was a huge garbage bag at our door – was wondering why the garbage men left it for us – but we were mistaken, as inside was a beautiful pillow cross stitched with peace from sweet Cathy!  The note said to use wherever needed, including the bathroom floor – it might be too pretty to be used there, and we are hoping and praying this go around that I don’t see or feel the bathroom floor.

On Wednesday, infusion day, I was strapped in for the next rollercoaster ride and ready to take Lucifer down.  I never thought my riding my first ever rollercoaster this summer with Betty, the Fury, would prepare me for yet another ride, since upon my dismount from the ride I said – “well that is never happening again”.  Just another ah ha moment that things happened for a reason prior to Lucifer that was preparing me for this journey/ride.  All went smoothly with the infusion, no problems and I got a great visit with my niece and sissy and even got a couple hours of work in!  Then the best part – the last chemo medicine, the one that made me drunk the last time with the slurring of works and eye twitches, well this time WAM it was the same but add in the feeling of being high/stoned – and it was an awesome ride.  Dr Reza came by again and said “you still here” and I said yes and I was going to start paying rent.  Upon our arrival home there were beautiful flowers from Claire and a box of the most amazing Ginersnap cookies from Chan – check them out at http://www.susansnaps.com – proceeds go to cancer prevention – what a wonderful gift.  The evening brought me visits by Dawn and Jennifer and the May’s boys – what a treat to have Suzy and Alex meet two people that are in this fight to Turn Type One to Type None – how inspiring to have some of my favorite people in one room!  And let’s not forget the homemade soup from one of our favorite bakery’s – Renaissance.  If you have never been it is on South Blvd!

So I am home now with Aunt Antiope by my side for 46 hours, now down to 29 hours and of course sweet Millie. My mom comes later today and it will be comforting to have her here and allow Steve some time to meet his needs.  I am so blessed to have a Mom that is active and healthy enough to be here for us – Bebe will also be around and able to step in whenever needed.  The words that come to mind, lucky, blessed, fortunate, courageous, loved, empowered.  Again, Lucifer you are going down and you better not pull another take over this go around cause I am completely armed to ward you off.  Thanks everyone for your comments and notes on the blog – I am enjoying writing this and balancing real and humor!  I take suggestions if there are things you wish to know about – just let me know and I will discuss with the editor :).