Round 1...FIGHT!!!!!

It's been over 24 hours since my initial experience with chemotherapy and I am so ready to fight this battle. Upon entering the Infusion Clinic I felt somewhat proud to be surrounded by fellow cancer patients, to be a part of the elitist group. I was escorted to what looked like a Lazy Boy recliner and was introduced to my Oncology Nurse, Denise.

While I was being prepped, in walks my dear friend, Tina, who is a radiologist in the same hospital. She starts to share with me how easy it is to download sermons onto my iPhone and Denise gingerly asks, "Oh, what church do you attend?" to which Tina replies, "Wellspring Church." Denise then responds, "I've heard of it. I used to attend Creekside while your church occupied the afternoon service." And then she proceeds to tell us she knows Henry (a friend) because they worked at Stanford hospital together. Such evidence of God's grace. To calm my nerves, God provides me with a nurse who not only is a believer (her husband is a former pastor) but she is very familiar with my church.

After all of the excitement of discovering the 2 degrees of separation, it was on to business. The first drug, Adriamycin, was shot through a gigantic needle and took about 20 minutes to inject. Then the second drug, Cytoxan, was a drip that took about 30 minutes. Quick and easy. No side effects during or even after I got home. It wasn't until 7:30 after I spoke with my SIL and BIL, that the nausea set it. Yuck! It reminded me of my worst day during pregnancy nausea. I quickly popped in some anti-nausea drug which, of course, wasn't all that effective since it works to prevent nausea and it was a wee-bit too late at that point. It knocked me out but I woke up at 10pm and nausea resurfaced. I took Zophran (another anti-nausea pill) and that of course didn't work again because that, too, is supposed to prevent nausea. I'm such a procrastinator! Finally, went down at 2AM and woke up feeling refreshed and much like my old self.

Appetite is not all there but I am forcing myself to eat small meals every 3 hours. Hair is still intact and was told I probably will lose most of it by the time I go in for my second treatment (b00!). Thank you to all for your prayers. I would not have been able to make it through yesterday without your loving support.

I will try to post as often as possible, Lord willing. I love you all. God bless!


Peace I live with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27