I've Got to Admit I'm Feeling Better, I'm Feeling Better All the Time

I have to start today by thanking all those who commented on my blog this past week or told me they were still reading it. Now I am re energized to continue!
I know I'm beginning to feel much better and healthier as the past few weeks my focus has turned back to my family, getting ready for the upcoming school year, and looking forward to football season instead of being on my treatments or my reservations and fears about the side effects of my treatments. I am beginning to think I've already hit absolute bottom, and now I'm headed back up to the surface and renewed health and vitality. My energy level continues to creep closer to what it once was, and with a busy school year just a week away (GASP!), I'm going to need all the pep I can muster.
I will catch you up on all my family's activities in a minute, but I wanted to get to some of the good trends that happened in treatment this week. The best thing about the day was that my great friend, helper, supporter, shoulder to cry on, swimming teacher to Tadman, and meal organizer, Justine, was able to accompany me this week. She left her mom to be with me, and I can't say how much I appreciate her. Treatment was super early this week, starting at 8:00 (that's super early for me!). I did all the prerequisite activities--the puzzle, the port blood draw, the witty conversation with the staff and volunteers--and then got the chance to see Dr. Montgomery for the first time in 3 weeks. He seemed well rested and relaxed after a visit to Green Bay with his family to see his wife's parents. I asked, but they didn't watch a Green Bay preseason game while they were there, and although the wife's parents are stockholders in the team, they don't have season tickets. I thought everyone in Green Bay had season tickets! How disappointing. Anyway, he suggested one last antihistamine to add to all the other pre medications I get before treatment now to try to avoid allergic reaction--the medicine Singulaire--and said that's the last one he could think of to add. There was exciting news for him to report, that my platelet counts had started to climb, so the transfusion that was looming last week won't be necessary, at least not for now. The other good news was I lost weight this week without feeling sick or being totally unable to eat! It was a pretty good appointment!
So after seeing Dr. Montgomery I was ready for treatment again, but feeling confident because of all the great staff to help me and having Justine by my side. And now that I'm feeling better again I'm noticing the other patients suffering and feeling fortunate for my well being. This week there was a man there who was really sick when he came in--wheezing, gasping, and spitting stuff into a bag, and when he got into the chemo suite they had several medicines to give to him. I'd imagine his cancer is a lot more advanced and aggressive than mine.
Now that I have to take all these pre meds, the preparation part of my treatment takes a long, long time. They give me steroids, Benedryl, Zyrtec, and Singulaire, some other medicine I can't remember the name of, and then they get the morphine ready in case it's needed. This week the nurse, Allison, was sneeky and started the Taxol drip without telling me while I was talking to Justine, but I still felt the reaction, but it was much less intense than in previous weeks, so maybe all these allergy medicines are working! They only stopped the Taxol for a short time, checked with the doctor, and started again, and after speeding the rate of the drip up later in the treatment, Justine and I were done by a little after 3:00. Isn't that so much better than 5:30! That means I might be able to do it before Kate gets home from Joplin once school starts. That's what I'm hoping for. As an added bonus to an already pretty good day, my buddy Sarah stopped in to see me. It was a great surprise, and I had all kinds of questions about parenting issues to run past her, and she had some good answers for me. She also added energy, enthusiasm, and fun to my treatment day. Man, if someone had given me a pedicure it would have practically been a day at the spa. Thank you to Tammee and Jessie Fulghum for tending to Kate and Tadman for the day. They were very happy to spend the day with you!
My kids had lots of activities this week to supplement my day at the spa. Hunter was introduced as part of Centennial High's varsity team at the "Meet the Team" event on Thursday evening. He thinks he'll probably spend time with the junior varsity team as well, but I think he's really looking forward to the season and the opportunity to play. The Statesman's Prep Football section came with the paper today, and I've got to tell you I have never been so excited to read it as this year. Hunter has worked hard for years improving his game, his strength, and his knowledge and it's nice to have him on the cusp of being one of those big high school football players he admired so much when he was a little kid. As treasurer of the Football Boosters I also got to collect checks that night--a perfect post-chemo evening out!
On Friday we had Parker's better-late-than-never birthday party at our house, so on Friday we were busy grocery shopping, cleaning (mostly Parker's room since the other house cleaning had already been done), getting the pool ready, and ordering pizzas. I think it was worth the wait and he had a great time. The very hot weather was a perfect compliment to our not very hot pool.
After a busy Thursday and Friday, Saturday was spent cleaning up the party leavings. Kate and Parker went birthday shopping with Greg's mom, and Rachel spent the day picking out jewelry, makeup, and outfits for her senior picture session later in the day. From 5:30 until dark we went from Harrison Blvd. to Esther Simplot Performing Arts Center to Kathryn Albertson Park changing clothes, hairstyles, and earrings along the way. Even the cello came along and appeared in a few of the shots. It reminded me what a beautiful city Boise is, how fortunate we are to live here, and how long it's been since I got out to enjoy all the great treasures around me. Rachel and I wrapped up the day with dinner together at the Pad Thai House and a movie, "Julie and Julia". As always with Rachel, the best part of the day was spending time with her, contemplating how quickly she went from being a kindergartener to being a senior in high school, and how her senior year will mark the beginning of the end of the greatest era in my life. I don't regret a single moment I've spent raising, spending time with, enjoying, and loving my kids. Thank goodness I still have a school year with Rachel and still 16 years with Tadman! I will try to relish every moment of it.
Thank you to all who continue to send meals, clean every other Friday, watch kids, and accompany me to treatment. Because of your efforts I am able to still be involved in my kids' lives and activities. And I hope it doesn't take you away from your kids and the things you'd like to do. I appreciate all the support, prayers, and good vibes that come my way and I will try to take advantage of them and translate them into positive interactions with my family. I am finally beginning to see the end of this tunnel when I'll get to be the one cleaning and making meals for people again. Believe it or not, I really look forward to that!