Tuesday 2.26.2008

Day 21, Treatment #2

Well, today I am officially "halfway through the chemo", as tomorrow is Treatment #3. So far, so good.

I worked today, starting out with a two-hands-on-the-steering-wheel drive to Jackson, and a car off the road within the first 5 miles. Ok, keep on going, slowly. And I got there safely. We had a good day, a good group. Yes, we were busy, but hey, that's why it's called work. I continued drinking lots of water today, having at least 4 16 ounce cups, plus coffee, plus milk.

I left there and went over to the home, but first I had to clean the car off. Snowy ice. I was surprised that I had to scrape windows, fuss with the wiper blades, and drive slowly across town. When I got to the home, Mom was resting but not asleep. The aides told me she hadn't eaten supper these last 2 nights (why didn't you say anything last night...?), she has large quantities of green stuff coming from her nose (yes, for almost 2 weeks now....) and a frequent loose cough (yup, I encourage her to cough...) The aides also mentioned there was a chest x-ray ordered, but I forgot to ask the nurse about it. While waiting for the bathroom, she drank a carton of skim milk and took her meds in applesauce. I got her washed up and tucked into bed. She settled in, and I left.

I had to scrape again, the snowy ice, after just 2 hours. Most intersections were packed slick snow that might have been great fun to run and slide on, but not so good for tire traction. I was happy to see that the highways were salted and in somewhat better driving conditions. Still, it took me about 50 minutes to get home.

I visited with Dan a bit, then wrote here. It has gotten quite late--I'm off to bed.

I noticed the anxiety creeping in again today, and just took a breath and heard different voices at different times, reassuring me, encouraging me, and building up a layer of colors that surround and protect me. You guys are awesome!! You know that I will have each of you with me tomorrow, keeping me strong. Thank you.