First Day of Chemo

 I am sitting at the Virginia Cancer Specialists office receiving my first chemo treatment.  I am receiving a regimen called FOLFOX.  It will take about 4 hours today, including set up and prior medicines.  I will wear a pump for two days that will continue to give me chemo.  They will then remove the pump on Friday.  The same procedure will happen every two weeks.  I will have 4 of these procedures, and they will then assess the situation.

I wanted to begin the chemo, but I have always been scared of receiving chemo.  When I first arrived at the office and they showed me all the medicine that I would be taking, I got so scared and anxious.  Thanks to my children, who had prepared a chemo care package, I was able to listen to the playlist that they had prepared for me.  It relaxed me.  The care basket contained items that were reminders for me.  For example, they included the book “Love You Forever” that I had given to each of them when they were young.  As the story goes near the end of the book, I felt like my children were rocking me and singing,

“I’ll love you forever,

I’ll like you for always,

As long as I’m living,

My Mommy you’ll be.”

I am truly blessed to have such wonderful children.

Going to Chemo

This past week while I waited for the chemo has had some ups and downs.  We were able to enjoy July 4^th weekend at our lake house with many of our children and grandchildren.  I felt ok while I was there.  I even took a ride on the wave runner and watched the others ski and tube from the boat.  We had July 4th fireworks from our dock.  It was a great show.  Everybody also participated in a short Forsyth Family Frolic (run).

The Girls at the Lake

Some of the other days and nights I have not felt as well.  For example, one night I could not sleep due to severe acid reflux.  I coughed constantly and my back and neck ached.  Finally, Steve was able to give me a Priesthood blessing.  He was also guided to rub my shoulders and back.  This helped calmed me down and helped me go to sleep. 

I began to receive some meals from the Relief Society sisters (friends from our Church).  These are specially prepared meals suggested by my nutritionist.  I am so grateful for the kindness and love shown to me.