Teresa vs Cancer: Round 2

Momma had her second chemo treatment a week ago Friday.  It was a long day, but everything went pretty smoothly.   The medicine includes the equivalent of something like 8 Benadryl, so she had a lovely little nap.  And after nap time she shared her iPad with her new friend George.  She noticed that he was playing cards with, gasp, REAL CARDS!  So she showed him her fancy Solitaire machine and let him have a go at it.   

After chemo Mommy did what any other normal person would do... go out to dinner with friends, of course.  One should never let a little cancer keep one from having a good conversation with good friends over a good dinner, that's what we like to say.  So on Friday evening I made it from Richmond to Norfolk in about 75 minutes so that I could meet her and her friends for a little Italian.   Don't worry, Mom said that I could borrow her C-card if I get pulled over at any point during this little adventure, so you know, watch out if you see me coming down the road...

On Saturday Mom and I went to the treatment center together for her after chemo shot.  It was adorable.  On a normal day Mommy averages making at least 3 new friends during each outing, whether its to the grocery store or the mall or the Wal-Mart for God-knows-what.  And the treatment center is no different.  Today we sat in a chair next to a nice woman who told Mom all about her own cancer and how her hip just hurt and hurt and hurt.  And Momma shared a little bit of her story and how her hip just hurt and hurt and hurt.  And then they hugged and promised to be Best Friends Forever and would have a sleepover next Saturday.  Ok, well that part was exaggerated, but I'm sure it could have happened if their fun hadn't been cut short...  It was time for Momma's shot.  It was over before you knew it and we waved goodbye to George and headed home.  

Now, this shot might be one of Mom's least favorite things about chemo.  The medicine burns and, while the nurses try their best to make it comfortable, there's really no relief for the pain except for just waiting it out.  She describes it as "hateful."  It probably is.  Previously this shot was, we think, responsible for all the migraines.  Word on the street, though, is that taking Claritin during these treatments really helps with the migraines.  As of this posting, I think we are so far so good on this theory.  Momma did report having some of the "flu-like" achiness and fatigue that was originally to be expected from the Neulasta injection, but none of the debilitating migraines like before.  I think this is a very good sign and let's hope that it keeps up.  

So that's about all there is to report at this point.  We're resting and eating good and having fun.   Tom shared with me a couple of pictures from a recent birthday party that I'll now share with you.  

Here's Little Miss Cancer throwing her C-Card all over the dance floor.  

Hands in the air to tell cancer you just don't care.