Chemo Session #4

Session #4 is in the books.

Overall, this week went really well.  I had to take a little more pain medicine than last time, which I really don't like to do, but it makes the recovery period so much easier on my body.  My heart did a lot better this time too.  Other than extreme fatigue and blinding headache that last nearly 20-ish hours, my body handled this week like a champ!

My labs on the other hand, they could use a stern talking to!  My protein levels are not coming down like the doctor had hoped.  They aren't going up, which is great, it just seems like they are stalling.

My complement levels have come up slightly, but not enough for the doctor to feel comfortable lowering my prednisone dosage.

Which was a huge disappointment for me.  I had put a lot of hope into these labs.  If there was more progress, the doctor had agreed to start tapering down, however, he feels my kidneys still need that extra boost from the steroids to help them in addition to the chemo.

Basically, my kidneys are sitting at a red light and we are in the chemo car behind them honking like crazy because the light has turned green and they aren't moving.

I feel this accurately depicts me when I look at my labs sometimes... hehehe

For now, we are keeping everything the same and continuing to give my kidneys a chance to do their thing.  Because if I can get my kidneys to do this for themselves without going UP on meds or requiring more chemo sessions, the better off my long term recovery will be.

One of the upsides to these chemo sessions, are the people I meet.  This week, I met a very nice couple who actually live in the neighborhood not too far from us.  He is a Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam, then served as a fire fighter with the local Fire Department for 20 years.  His wife is a 2 time Breast Cancer survivor.  They were the sweetest couple, and it kind of felt like we were sitting around the living room at grandparents house.  

Another interesting part about these sessions, is that Brian and I are by far the YOUNGEST patrons in the infusion center... by at least 25-30 years.  Even the volunteer who works the morning shift when I go, could easily be our grandma... she is ADORABLE too!  I need to get her picture!  She's just the cutest thing!  Her name is Barb and she always brings me Orange Juice with a straw... I'm pretty sure she does this for everyone, but I love that she takes the wrapper off the straw for me like I'm a little kid.  heheheh - it's cute.

Anyway, the couple we spent Monday with, both got a kick out of watching me sew my little quilt star while I received my treatment.

Sure makes for a great conversation starter!

What news of the girls you ask?

Well, Emma had Crazy Hair Day at school, 

and obviously Brooklyn had to participate as well:

Emma said the Green Wig made her "mind too crazy to wear for school", 

so we went with lots of little pony tails.

Brooklyn seems to like wearing my bandanas.

Oh, she's too cute for her own good!  

And I'm afraid she already knows it... we're in trouble!

One of Emma's friends had a birthday party this week, 

COMPLETE with a hired Queen Elsa actress... 

So Emma got to wear her Queen Elsa dress that her Fairy Godmother made her!

Our Nanny kept them hopping all week long!  I love that when the weather is nice, our Nanny takes the girls to all the parks within walking distance.  Which I believe there are about 3-4.  She said when the girls get tired of one, they just start walking till they find the next one.  

They've even managed to find a lake with ducks!  So now when they go on their adventures, they take a loaf of bread with them.  I don't see them for hours. 

I'm pretty sure our Nanny is part Energizer Bunny!

Other than recuperating and hanging out with this munchkin, 

not much else has been going on.

We want to send a special thanks to our awesome neighbor who comes and gets Emma for me when our Nanny is gone.  Our neighbor makes sure Emma gets on and off the bus, so I can stay home with Brooklyn.  This helps me conserve my energy and I'm able to take care of the girls better while Brian is at work.  She says its no big deal, but it really means a lot to us.  Often times the little things are what make the biggest difference. 

Thank you for the continuous flow of cards, emails, texts the morning of treatments, texts to Brian to see how things are going the days after treatments, care packages, it all means so much.  

Sometimes having an invisible disease can make you feel just that... 

INVISIBLE.  

But with a support system like this, not a chance.  You guys are great!  And I feel so incredibly lucky to have an entire team rallying behind me.   

And thank you for all the shared posts helping us raising awareness!

Simply amazing.

My next session is the day after Easter, so until my next post, 

May you find the renewal of 

HOPE, 

HEALTH, 

LOVE, 

and 

the SPIRIT of God, 

have 

a

Blessed

Easter!

xoxo

Bev