#4 injection ...over

Monday was a great day. I had 2 days off from treatment and felt pretty strong.
I went back to work, it was so good seeing everyone again, hearing all the familiar sounds, and just feeling useful again. Everyone brought in food for a welcome back celebration, and there were flowers and balloons at my desk. It was very touching, thank you everyone for making me feel so missed and just being my friends (family).
Grace cooked dinner and brought it over, it was delicious. The only thing that would have made the day perfect, would have been not having to give myself my injection.
I think Mondays are looking like the worst nights. But I made it through another night of fever and chills. I feel pretty wiped out today.
4 down...140 to go.

#3 over

#3 is done and it is not getting easier. One day at a time is all I can do.
I am a bit nervous. I am going to start working part time on Monday. I am not sure how well I am going to feel, but I am looking forward to getting back to a somewhat normal life.

#2 injection done

I gave myself #2 injection yesterday afternoon. I had to have Mike watch me, if I don't have an audience I am afraid I will chicken out. I do have to say it wasn't as scary as the first. I think it will be easier as time goes by. The side effects were not as violent last night (but still no picnic).

#1 under the belt

Well I made it through the first interferon injection. Surprisingly it went smooth once I summoned up most of my courage. I was feeling pretty good thinking "Oh good, I will be one of the lucky ones without the terrible side effects", until around 7:30. Then it hit..........Oh,did it hit. I think last night was a top ten bad night EVER! I had a fever of 100 to 102 from 7:30pm till 3:30am needless to say the time ticked by ever so slowly. Every muscle in my body ached I could hardly move and the headache was so bad. I am hoping this is just a freak night and the next 143 will not be this violent.

Monday - injections begin

Good morning......I think. I am starting to feel almost normal. The chills have gone and the nausea was gone yesterday and today. I still have headaches, fatigue, and muscle aches. But it was so nice to have 2 days that I could eat without feeling...well..you know.
So this afternoon I will be getting instruction on the self injections. I figured 48 weeks 3 times a week that gives me 144 shots. Maybe I should give them to myself in a pattern on my leg. It wouldn't be a tattoo but might be interesting :-).
I figured I would label my next posts by the number of injection, so when you look at the number on the title you won't think I have lost it completely.


How about those Eagles? Pretty awesome! Sorry Brinsky, I know how you love your Steelers.

First Annual Miles for Melanoma of DE

Thank you everyone for your donations! But most of all your support and friendship!
This is the start of a really great cause!

Done!

I am going to miss you all!!!
Thank you for making a bad situation good. You are truly wonderful!

Going out with a Bang

Today is the final day of my 4 weeks of Chemo at the cancer center. I was up most of the night with fever, chills and nausea. This reaction will make me appreciate being done with the IV's even more. I am sure that is melanomas way to try to stick it to me.
So I am getting ready to go in for the last day. It is a bitter sweet day. I have learned to love all of my nurses. I will miss them all. (But not the getting stuck..ouch).

Kale is on standby for hurricane Ike pray for the people of the Gulf Coast

Lest we Forget..........

Pray for our Country...

Final Week

Boy am I glad this is the final week! I think it has been the hardest. Thankfully I can see an end to this part of my treatment. I think I would have a really hard time continuing, if there were 2 months of IV's. So I am dragging myself into the cancer center, for one more fun filled day. argh.......

Mike is looking forward to walking for me in the Miles for Melanoma. I wished I would have the stamina to participate. But I know I will be represented well by Lisa and Mike. OK I am dragging myself in now. 3 more left (after today)

GO EAGLES!!!!

Today I am not thinking about Cancer. I am only going to think about being an Eagles Fan!

3 Weeks done!!!

3 Weeks under my belt and one left!!! Even though this was a short week, it was tough. Sometimes I think the short ones are the hardest. The headaches are still plaguing me and the nausea is there, but I can look forward to the weekend. Everyone has been great!. I want to say a special thanks to Bob and Lily for their donation! You are the best!
Have a great weekend!

This is one of my favorite pictures. I just wanted to share it with you.
The days are ticking by slowly. Things are going pretty well this week.

Long Day

Today was a long day at the hospital. It was nice having a 3 day break from the treatment. But back to the grind today. It is funny how I have gotten into a routine and when the hospital part of my therapy is over, I will need to get into yet another routine.
I called today about getting the injections ordered. This is another big thing to figure out. I can only get the medication through the insurance companies speciality pharmacy. I am not sure how long it takes to process the forms and how long it will actually take to get it shipped to me. So hopefully they will have ample time to get things coordinated so there will not be a break in my treatment.
I will have to go to the doctors office for lessons on how to administer the injections. This is all very confusing to me. No one said it would be easy.

In the mean time I will concentrate on this week and next.