1 down...just 15 more to go!

Hi Everyone, Well today was another "first" that I can happily check off my list...My first Chemo treatment - and it went very well. Prior to my treatment I was scheduled for a post-op exam with my surgeon. While waiting for Dr. Janecik in the exam room, Nurse Vicki brought in another Chemo patient who had just completed the same regiment that I was to start today. Vicki thought that it might be helpful to me to be able to talk to Donna about her experience. Donna is this very sweet and energetic and beautiful lady who is probably in her 60's. She told me that she thought she was old enough to be my mother, and that if she could do all 18 treatments so could I! Donna told me to keep my beautiful smile and a positive attitude and that I'd do just great. She lifted her sparkly red cap to expose her bald head and she said, "and I will have hair again!" She told me to call her anytime I wanted/needed to talk....how sweet was she!!! Donna's another Angel that I'm so grateful to have met. After the exam, Dr. Janecik determined that there was still a bit of healing that needed to take place before they could utilize my lower port. The lower port would be used to administer Chemo 2 of the 3 days within an 8 day period. Instead of delaying the Chemo treatments, Dr. Janecik and his aggressive style decided that I could get all 3 days worth of Chemo put into my upper port all in one day!! So that's what we did - it took about 4.5 hours. During treatment I met another Angel, Debbie. Today was her last day for treatment and she was celebrating with friends and family in the treatment room. Debbie strolled over with her I.V. in tow, and talked to me at great length about how to avoid nausea, dealing with hair loss and wearing wigs, keeping a daily record of meds and diet, etc. She gave me lots of great advice which I know will serve me well on this journey...thank you Debbie!! Jerry, always my steady, was fully prepared with a large fully packed tote and cooler, right down to a pair of socks which I gladly traded in my flip-flops for in the first 5 minutes of treatment. The Chemo room (a nice peaceful room with about 12 LA-Z Boy recliners) was standing room only, and it just so happened that the patient sitting next to me was just finishing up her treatment and Jerry got to spend the entire afternoon in the chair right next to me. I couldn't have asked for more, it was such a comfort to have him at my side today....and always. Jerry and I are so in awe at how Dr. Janicek's staff is so caring and personable - the entire staff genuinely cares for the patients as witnessed by the hugs they administer on a regular basis. There was also a great deal of energy drawn from the other patients in the room - lots of sharing and great conversation goes on constantly. There is definitely strength in numbers. Lastly, I am extremely grateful to Jerry for all his love and support, his intense level of caring and his unfathomable love for our family. I couldn't ask for a better partner, husband and best friend!