Day 67 - Half Way Through Chemo

Round 3 of Chemo was on Friday, October 18th. The half-way point for Chemo.  Yeah!!  Stephie was my escort for the day.  She is so calm, easy going, and mature.  I am amazed at how well both kids are handling this and am thankful for their friends who are so supportive of them.

The doctors changed up my nausea medications and this round seems to be easier than Round 2.  Very happy about that because Round 2 was really tough. Speaking of medications, I've gone from taking a single multivitamin two months ago to taking as many as 10 different types pills at a time now.  Treatment seems to be effective.  In the next month or so there will be more scans to see just how effective and where the 'margins' will be for surgery. 

 

Super Big Shout-Out to the Keatings and Margot Rustad for their secret surprise! They put up a "Walk with Kathryn Simpson" facebook page to coordinate walking AND made shirts for Team Simpson walkers!  Wow!! Shocking that so many of my friends could keep a secret that long too. ;-)

The link to the walking page is below:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1387873961442846/
If you want to join, just let me know and I'll add you.

Lots of folks are asking if I'm able to go to work.  Fortunately, the answer is, "Yes!" (most of the time).  I usually take Monday and Tuesday off after Chemo and can go to work from Wednesday or so until the next round.

In January, I will have to take 3 weeks off for surgery and recovery so I am trying not to use any more leave than absolutely need to during chemo.

My boss and co-workers are very supportive and I am grateful to be able to keep my job through this.  In fact, I even got a special accommodation for a heater in my cubicle to help me stay warm and healthy.  And, we have banned all germs on the 1st floor. ;-)

Over the Columbus Day weekend, I flew out to Boise to visit my friend Leslie (and her husband DJ).  Had a great time just relaxing and hanging around with them.  Great to get away for a few days. Thanks, Leslie and DJ!!
 

Day 44 Part 2 - Blessings and Tender Mercies

Blessings and Tender Mercies come in many forms...

 

Tom was my escort at Round 2.  We were both hungry, so I sent him to the cafeteria immediately after they had me in my recliner to get us some breakfast.  He isn't a fan of needles, so I didn't want him to have to watch them access the port.  Unbeknownst to either of us, my oncologist was also in the cafeteria.  They struck up a brief conversation because Tom was wearing an SK shirt and Dr. Senecal's kids went to Bellarmine Prep (the two teams were playing each other last night).  So, about 30 minutes later, when I met with the Doctor, they already knew each other a little.  I think that made Tom more comfortable that my doctor was human and personable.  As my friend, Rebecca, would say, Go God!! 

 

The other happy 'coincidence' was that Antone, Tom's assistant baseball coach at Narrows, happened to have chemo yesterday too and the office scheduled him in the seat right next to us.  It let Tom have some great conversation, see that Antone was getting better, and he just had someone to relate to that made him more comfortable.  I said a little prayer of Thanks.  Such blessings are small testimonies that Heavenly Father knows our needs and sends small, but powerful, tender mercies our way.