When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad

My support group is organizing a fun event next in December.  After all the heart break of losing members this year and stress we go through, we need to let off steam.

We are organizing a group trip to the  famous (maybe just in San Francisco) Sound of Music Sing-along on December 5th.  I'm working on costumes.
What should I go as a Von Trapp child, a nun or a lonely goatherd?

Got my tumor markers, and they continue to decrease a little, which is a relief- although they'll never be at zero.  I've been on chemotherapy now for 8 rounds, over 6 months.   Frankly, I'm sick of it.  Next wednesday is my third round of Doxil.  I have a PET CT scheduled for December 15th and then I will talk to Dr. C about whether we can take a vacation from chemo.

Starting a writing class tonight, I'll post the first few pages of my story later in the week.

Auf wiedersehen

Round 2 of Chemo

After a bit of a debate, I just got round two of my Ixempra IV chemotherapy yesterday.  My local oncologist recommended putting it off until after my trip to Europe next week.  It was tempting.  My consulting Onc. in Philadelphia, Dr. C advised against putting it off.  It was an impossible decision.  Since there's no cure, how do you decide?  After much stress, I decided I committed to follow Dr. C for now, and took a slightly reduced dose of Ixempra.
Like clockwork, my hair fell out almost 3 weeks to the day of my first infusion.  I have a few tiny tufts and some fringe of bangs.  But not for long.  I made the decision to go to a fancy custom wig maker today, to see what he can do for me.  Stay tuned.
This is one of my new collage pieces.  I made this one shortly after my liver biopsy, but I think is generally a reflection of my treatment.  She is from a turn 1909 Ladies Home Journal -- an Ad for her extremely uncomfortable girdle.  She looks so sad in it!  It sure doesn't make me want to order a Warner's Rust-Proof Corset.

Day 20 of 25

I was slightly disappointed to find out that Monday is MLK day and the facility will be closed. That makes my last treatment day next Thursday, the same day I start an all day program. This means I'll have to get treated at 7ish, go home get ready for my first day of class and all the social anxiety that brings and then get to market street. Class is from 9 to 515. Yes. Otherwise I went back to an older cancer centric visualisation recording for treatment, which leaves me in a daze when they pull me off the slab. My energy is pretty good though, only my skin is bothering me. My Radiation Oncologist says I look pretty good, no nasty effects that can happen. Basically your skin starts to break down. Yuck I cant imagine what that looks like. Tomorrow is an intense day, I have morning radiation and afternoon infusion at oncology of Irradia. If you don't know what an infusion is -- and I didn't before this, it's an IV. Some people put in ports for easy access. I refused and so they have to hit a vein every time. Not as easy as you might think. I've been told mine jump out of the way of the needle. Can that be possible? The chemo nurses are a sweet bunch of people who have taken very good care of me for the past year and a half. Although I have my favorite. He never misses. I hope he's there tomorrow. I usually take a few atavan to sleep through the whole experience, but the stuff looses its efficacy. So tomorrow, maybe a dvd on the laptop.

Day 14 of 25

Definitely feeling the fatigue these last few days. The facility was buzzing today. Inside the ladies waiting room there were 5 of us, a full house. Two women were excited as it was there last day! Very jealous. We all discussed hair loss from chemo. Some handled it well, others fucked up. If they tell you your hair is going to fall out, it is going to fall out and no shampoo is going to save it. You must shave your head before the deluge, otherwise your hair coming out in clumps is too traumatic. Trust me on this. My radiation oncologist popped in to tell me we could email me copies of my x-rays for all you wonderful readers-- he's still waiting to find out if I can film my treatment. My gut says I'll be denied, but it will be revealed tomorrow. My RTs gave me good recommendations on going to Las Vegas. I couldn't find my Ipod this am-- I'm misplacing things all the time right now. It's stress-- my years of therapy tell me that. I'm going to go on a forced march around the neighborhood for some fresh air. Although I just want to close my eyes. Too tired to figure out online registration for my MBA program I start in 2 weeks-- not a great sign for future academic success.