Adding insult to injury

Saw my Oncologist today--I'm still anemic but not anemic enough to warrant a transfusion. So I'm still exhausted. And on top of that, I've got a cold. It's the first cold I've had in about 50 weeks. I don't think it is fair--not that I ever expected life to be fair. So I will settle back into watching Olympics. I've been shirking my duty a bit of late. I used to think if I didn't watch them, they wouldn't award the medals. They seem to be doing just fine without me. I might as well watch--got nothing else to do--especially if it involves the expenditure of energy.
xxooxx

Dr. Radiation Oncology

So, I met with Dr. Steven Weller today. My next appointment will be for a simulation next Wednesday, I'm assuming that will be when I'll get marked up, including what I hope will be tiny tattoos to make sure they are radiating the right place. After that, it will be a week or so to finish up this round of chemo, then the radiation will start, every day, Mon-Fri for about 5 1/2 weeks. I have plans to get away for my 30th anniversary on Sept 30. The doctor expects we should be done by then. Yippee. Now I just have to decide whether I want to keep my reservation at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, which would include flights to and from, or go back to Sonoma where they know and love me, which is just an hour and a half to two hours away. I'm leaning back toward Sonoma, but I'll wait and see how tired the whole process makes me.
That's the latest update.
xxooxx

Chemo Five

Well, I was going to download my pictures from Canada and post them tonight. That would be one of the best laid plans of mice and men ganging aglee. The camera keeps shutting off when I try to access it. It may be the batteries, so I'll get some new ones and try again tomorrow. I'm not overly happy about that, but thems the breaks, as a co-worker of Lee's used to say.
Chemo went fine today. I can't believe it's the fifth one already and the last one is just around the corner. Fortunately the block that corner is on includes the Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa. Before I get there, I have to survive the orc wars and walk in the survivors lap in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life--hopefully the orcs will have retreated by then.
So what have I been doing lately. Monday was my annual eye exam. Something in my life is going right--no changes, no glaucoma, no Macular degeneration, no cataracts--yet. Have a good life and we'll see you next year.
Went downtown to see my therapist yesterday. I was feeling much better than I did two weeks ago. After the visit, I walked to the San Francisco Center, where I bought some more books--started on the Sue Grafton series, finally. Also went to Nordstrom where I couldn't find any clothes that I really wanted but did get some makeup--my eyebrows have been steadily thinning, so I got brow makeup to enhance them. My hair is still coming out, but not as much and now in inch or less long strands that are hard to pick up--so I'm just shedding.
Sorry about the pictures. I'll see what I can do about them tomorrow while I'm still feeling fairly good. I'm also hoping to make a run to the office to show the guys I'm still alive. Once I start radiation, I'll see if I'm up to maybe four hours a day. I need to get back to work before they figure out that they can get along perfectly well without me--if they haven't already. I miss my spreadsheets and fighting with vendors--er--setting vendors straight.
xxooxx

All systems go

Saw my oncologist this morning--no problem with leaving on a jet plane tomorrow. Actually, I do know when I'll come home again--July 5, in time for chemo number 5 on the 9th. I'm more or less packed--now is the time I throw in the kitchen sink and anything else I think I just might possibly need for a trip to the back of beyond. I might just want to change my clothes 40 times a day--every day--and never wear the same thing twice. Oops--I'm flying and there is that pesky little weight restriction. Hmm--maybe I don't need to take all my t-shirts--even if they are cute. Then there is the question of which CP's and how many to take. Couldn't possibly have the same hair color for 9 whole days.
And on the subject of hair--it is still coming out. Slowly, but still coming out. It isn't as easy to keep track of, because no strand is an inch long and most of what is coming out is very white--almost impossible to see. My eyebrows are thinning. I look at the pictures from Lake Louise and Yosemite and notice a big difference. Desperate Housewives did a really good job of showing Lynette's progress through lymphoma--except she always had perfect eyebrows. That's the dead giveaway. I still have eyelashes--big deal, I can't help those along because all mascara turns my eyeballs bright red. Now for the big question--do I have the energy to apply war paint to look ravishing? Well, no, not really.
Time to weigh the suitcase and decide to screw the cost and take a second one. The really exciting thing about tomorrow's trip is that I have to be at the airport around 5:30 in the morning. I fly to Vancouver, BC then wait an incredibly long time between planes and then fly to Saskatoon. I think I get there early evening. Good thing I always take plenty of toys.
xxooxx

OK, then

I saw my oncologist today. She is pleased with the progress on my incision and we are set to start chemo on Wednesday the 16th at 9 in the morning. I had been praying for courage or patience, whichever was required, just in case they put off the chemo again. so now we know--prayers for courage in this new adventure. I told Dr. Chee that I'm still in the denial phase and asked her if I really have cancer. She said, technically, no, I had cancer, they removed it, now they want to make sure that it is all gone. I'm anxious, but this is just another virgin experience in a year full of them. I suppose at my age I should be thrilled to have a virgin experience.
xxooxx