Round 3 - This Is No Longer My First Rodeo

See all those empty super comfy recliners?  From the jump it has been said that those can be used by "support people" unless they are needed by by patients.  That's understandable.  But yesterday, my daughter sat down in the one directly in front of me and was told "we are actually going to be very busy today so we've put a chair in the corner there for you."  Well those hard chairs are pretty uncomfortable to sit in for 6 hours.  Turns out there were always empty recliners all day long.  I'm pretty undone over this because patients need their support people to be taken care of too.  This will be addressed next time and if I'd been all the way listening it wouldn't have happened this time either.

Some things are worth fighting for.  On another note, yesterday was the maiden voyage for the new port.  This was a good decision and one I am grateful my daughter pushed for initially and other people chimed in along the way.  It was nice to have free range of motion in my hands and arms for the duration of this treatment.  Also, it is a take things out of or put things in option so blood draws can happen through this as well.  My veins will be happy and if they are happy I am happy too.

 I took a list of the cancer/chemo meds I was given at round 1 and asked for further clarification of what they were for specifically.  I am one of those people who cannot be inundated with information that makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever.  All this information was given at round 1, but I was literally scared out of my mind and no matter that there were handouts and visual aids and notes taken (thanks Paula), I needed to go through a certain amount of time and experiences for any of these to make sense to me.  And I needed to have those reactions to my treatment to be smart enough to ask "will this one help with that?"  I did find out that I totally skipped an after treatment steroid in round 2 that might have really helped me.  Not making that mistake twice I assure you.

Kaylee and I stayed in the Cancer Support House again and that is a great resource since we can drive up the night before with late check in and not have to get up early and drive through the "going to work traffic" all the way up the mountain and worry about delays or accidents putting us late getting to appointments.  The Support House is lovely but Kaylee and I agree..........cancer patients need a better grade of toilet paper!  I will be making that suggestion....lol.  Not that I think they'll listen.  I do realize it is about cost but honestly I don't see the savings because that cheap toilet paper just results in using more of it than should be necessary.

Treatment went well after I got over the fact that someone was already sitting in my preferred spot....I'm not "Baby" - I'm okay with being in the corner!  It affords me the ability to spread out a little and not feel in the way.  Can you reserve a specific chair, I wonder?  Just kidding!  I'm not THAT big of PITA.

At my second treatment I met a very pretty lady who inquired where I was in my journey.  We had just starting talking and they called me for labs so that got cut short, but she was there yesterday for her first treatment.  Her name is Kathy (K or C) I'm not sure, but please add her to your prayers.  She is so very pretty and has beautiful salt and pepper hair and a happy friendly up beat personality.  I gave her the link to my blog and I hope she utilizes it and gets her own answers to some things she might not already feel she's sure about.  She has a very nice husband, so pray for him as well...because whatever she walks through he is going to walk through as well.  Support people so often get forgotten and they shouldn't.  None of us can do this alone and we need those that step up and in to have all the resources they need as well.

I've had lovely surprises this past week.  I had a cash gift that was a true gift of love from someone I don't know well but she knows me because I used to work for her mom back when I am quite sure I wasn't a great employee.  Teen-agers often aren't.  Anyway, it touched my heart and I will pay it forward for sure.  I had another fantastic friend who started a Gofundme because my work attendance has not been great since this all started and that was a big and wonderful surprise which will also be paid forward when I get on the other side of this Rodeo.  His beautiful wife (a cancer survivor) packed up the most wonderful meals and sent them to the house along with a giant slice of the most fantastic chocolate cake I have ever eaten.  More cake please!!!  I've had messages of love and support from so many people and these feed my spirit.  My support people have been wonderful and patient with me.  It's hard to lean on people when you haven't really had to do much of that, but I am becoming more relaxed in that and that is a great help to me mentally.  And all the people out there that are praying for me.  My goodness, what a gift to know that people who know you and some who don't speak your name in prayer!

I also got "hooked up" with the Support House here locally for meals to have on hand for treatment weeks.  Rick got those picked up yesterday so I should at least have easy things to fix during those typically difficult days 3-4 and 5 times.  Staying fed has been challenging during those times as I simply haven't had the feet and legs to stand in the kitchen and cook.  If I do, I'm usually over it and won't eat it.  Learning to simplify is a good thing.  I've also had to learn to utilize every single resource that is out there for cancer patients and they aren't insignificant either.  If you are walking this journey and no one has mentioned these, ask.  There are gas cards available for travel if you live a distance away...these might be part of a discretionary spending account you have available to you.  If travel isn't an issue, that spending account can be used to pay a bill you might be having trouble paying.  There are free wigs available and head wraps, scarves, hats.  Ask, ask, ask.  And don't be ashamed!  You can pay this back in the future by voluteering for things.

My work, my boss and my fabulous co-workers.  My being absent works a hardship on a lot of people.  I know this because when they aren't there and I am.... it is A LOT.  I am so grateful for the understaning I receive from FedEx Freight.

The people who board my furry children have absolutely been fantastic to me.  Odd hours of dropping off and picking them up which I know work havoc with a "schedule" - but they just roll with it.  And their compassion to me does not go unnoticed.  And my kids like it there and have come to know that if I say "let's go riding...." they are going to PAWSI to play with friends."  Well, Sawyer plays.....Ozzie observes from a distance and makes his displeasure at shenanigans well documented.

Most importantly, God draws ever nearer to me, I feel Him working.  I feel it in the way I handle difficult things, in my patience with other people, in my peace of mind knowing that even if I am here alone most of the time, I really am not.  He is walking with me, holding my hand and through Him I feel my husband's presence.  Encouraging me, loving me and telling me, "it's going to be okay....we've got this!"  I know he means God and him.  And with them, I am going to be okay.  "I know the Lord is always with me.  I will not be shaken, for He is right beside me." - Psalm 16:8

Today please join with me in praying for Debbie F and her family (aka support group), Shane and Debbie F and those who stand in support for them.  And for Kathy (with a K or C- God knows) and her husband and the others that might be supporting them....they are at the beginning and I have no idea how far she has to go....but I know that walk will be her walk, none of them are the same.  Oh, and pray for Brian a special young man in our family.  He's been fighting a very long time...he is a veteran and right now is not doing all that well.

And celebrate with me that I have reached a half/way mark in my chemo treatments....yesterday was the hump-day for chemo....I didn't get to ring a bell, but I silently pressed a confetti cannon button and visualized colorful bits of paper flying all over the room.

Love and light from half-way through the tunnel.  I see a sliver of light!

-Lavetta