I think I have been putting this one off because I know that as I write it I will be crying. And I have already started. November 14th at 6:45pm I was officially diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. There was no crying. No screaming. Just numb acceptance. This was the official results day of the PET … Continue reading I’ll Love You Forever
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Kim-O de Mayo
What do you do when your blood work comes back normal and you can finally drink alcohol again? You celebrate! Salud! My friend Robert asked what I was going to do the day I could finally drink. Have a party, obviously. And that is when he coined Kim-O de Mayo. May 9th was my last … Continue reading Kim-O de Mayo
Nurses: Soul Savers in the Trenches
Nurse don’t JUST save lives. Nurses save souls. Nurses are the ones who make sure the medication is correct and administer it. They are ones who hold hands when you cry. They are the ones who know you are having a bad day even when you say "todo bien." Nurse give symptom advice and kisses … Continue reading Nurses: Soul Savers in the Trenches
Holding onto the Perfect Days
At the beginning of treatments I had good weeks. Lately it has dwindled down to good days. And even during the good days there are still moments of frustration or annoyance because I can't do something or I don't have the energy or a period of dizziness comes out of nowhere or I am obligated … Continue reading Holding onto the Perfect Days
A Saturday Treat
I don't really know how it started, but Saturday lunches have become our eating out times during my healthy weeks. I think by that point, Mom is tried of cooking and I want something a little bad for me. So, we headed downtown to one of my favorite restaurants that has one of my favorite … Continue reading A Saturday Treat
Chemotherapy Treatment Number Ten
I can't believe that I am finished with my fourth round. Only one more round (two sessions) left. One month is nothing but feels like forever. When I visualize the road, it gets more narrow, like I am Alice looking through the looking glass. There is no way I can fit and yet, the chemo … Continue reading Chemotherapy Treatment Number Ten
The Days After Chemo Number 9
I have been putting off writing this one because the days after chemo have been a rollercoaster of emotions and feelings. As I indicated about this chemo, my mind wasn't in the right place for the beginning of round number 5. I am just done. I am done feeling ill. I am done feeling tired. … Continue reading The Days After Chemo Number 9
Chemotherapy Treatment Number 9
Only four more. That's what I keep telling myself and what my people keep celebrating. To the outside world, four more sounds like nothing. But to me, the person going through it, four more is the worst. I am just done with this. And this treatment was probably the worst of the lot. Not because … Continue reading Chemotherapy Treatment Number 9
One shot, Two Shots, Three Shots, Floor
Apparently alcohol and Neupogen are the exact same. When one too many accumulate in your system, you end up on the floor over a toilet or curled in a ball in pain. My white cells have been obstinate lately. I have been hitting below 1000 for several days and the doctor has been worried that … Continue reading One shot, Two Shots, Three Shots, Floor
The Days After Chemo Number 8
Chemo was postponed. Which means that recovery was postponed. A Poem Saturday I was tired. Sunday I was ok. Monday I was stubborn. Tuesday I worked all day. Saturday was spent on the couch watching hours of The Good Wife. At least I had recovered from the day of actual chemo. I was able to … Continue reading The Days After Chemo Number 8
Teach Abroad Coyle 