Round One - Day 14

Today marks the official last day of round one... on to round two tomorrow! Yay!

I'm really hoping that the side effects are similar to this round or better... rather than cumulative. But, I'll get what I get I suppose!

I was relieved this morning to see that my hair has started to shed. I've been really worried about it because I was told that it should have started by now. I kept wondering if my body was allowing the chemo to pass through me without doing the job it was supposed to do? No, the doctor didn't say that this could happen... it is just my own brain over-thinking things again. Then I'd tell myself it is because my hair is already, short, thin and fine so it wasn't heavy enough to fall out. Or, maybe it is fitting that my hair won't fall out because I don't like my hair. Yes, the crazies had started to take over. But, this morning I had a few hairs on my hand after washing my head, there were a few on my shoulder when I got out of the shower and a few came out while styling my hair. None of this is normal. I don't know if I've continued to shed today because I basically glue my hair on with hairspray daily!! We'll see if it continues tomorrow morning.

On to round two and the next step in kicking this thing. So far I'm winning.

Columbus Day

Today was Tyler's first holiday from school so I decided that was worth a day off of work! Woo Hoo! The weather wasn't as beautiful as yesterday, but any day with my boys is always a treat.

We headed out to The Great Pumpkin Farm with Tyler's friend Jack. his mom Kelly and his beautiful sister Mallory. This picture was taken by a www.buffalo.com photographer. We were "spotted!!"

It was "loads of fun!"

The boys had a great time together on the slides, the roller tube, the straw maze and carnival rides. Here they are on the tilt-a-whirl... all by themselves... thank goodness! Check out the pose... these are cool dudes!

Then they decided to play "I Got It." Too funny! Ty has a bit of bed head going on. Hmm... I guess I should brush what little hair he has in the morning. Maybe tomorrow.

The pumpkin cannon was way cool. Check this out...

The older boys were being a bit wacky in this picture... the next pictures got a little odd so we'll stick with this one. I think they were trying to strike a pose! Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, the older boys were having way too much fun for pictures today.

A quick height check.

Another height check... sort of.

Look at all these pumpkins!

I think this is as close as Tyler will ever get to feeding an animal... and only because he didn't have to actually tough anything.

Peek-a-boo!

Hanging in the wooden train.

That is one big pumpkin!

Too cute!

Now those are some pumpkins! There was a guy carving another one while we were there. Maybe we should try something other than the classic pumpkin this year... maybe not.

We had a great day! When is the next school holiday??

One Beautiful Day!

I love days like today. It was absolutely beautiful... blue skies, cool, sunny... the leaves are changing... perfect!

We got up early, picked up Aunt Donna and headed out to my favorite art show. Luckily they also have some slides for the boys.


Ryan is fearless. This slide is well above my head, but he didn't hesitate a bit about climbing up by himself. Weeee....


Tyler started a rock collection... again.

That's almost 40 pounds you've got there Aunt Donna! But, just look at the joy on Ryan's face! So worth it...

When we got home the family humored me for some pictures. I like this one except for Dan's chopped off head! Oops! We're going to have to try this picture again after I find a higher tripod. Ryan thought I was hilarious trying to get to the top before the camera took the pic. I really have to get that remote! And, check it out... I still have all my hair!

Unfortunately I didn't change my sneakers after the show this morning, but other than that I like this picture too.

The best part about today is that it isn't over yet! We still have a good hour or two left to be outside! Too bad I don't have the stuff to make smores.... hmmm...

Sneaky Sneaky

Dan and I were cleaning up in the kitchen this morning when we heard a burst of laughter from the back room. What in the world are those two doing?? Well, it seems that Tyler put a small hot wheels car by the chair and when Ryan was lured in, he jumped out to scare him. Tyler set a trap for his little brother!! Luckily Ryan is a good sport and thought it was hilarious.

And then they had to do it over and over again. The ensuing laughs weren't quite as boisterous as the first, but close enough.

Here's Ryan on his way to seek Ty out.

Found you!

Check this out. It has been a while since I've done a video and forgot that I shouldn't turn the camera! Oops! Well, you get the idea...

Round One - The Rest

Well, I found my bottom and it is the Monday after treatment... what a day that was! Since I wasn't sure how bad things were going to get, I went to work. Silly me!

I arrived in the parking lot and promptly took a car nap. After 20 minutes I pulled myself together and made it into my office. That is about as good as the day got. I felt like there was a heavy cloud over me all day. My tongue felt big in my mouth, my ears were plugged, I couldn't see quite straight and my shoes felt larger than normal too. I went home a little early, camped out on the couch until Dan made dinner and then went to bed at 7:20pm... before the boys!!

Yesterday was much better and was my first medicine free day! Woo Hoo! I still went to bed by 7:30pm, but that isn't a big deal. Maybe tonight I can stay up until 8:00pm... or maybe not. Who cares as long as I can function most of the day.

If I could make one request to the man upstairs, it would be for my bad day to arrive one day earlier. It would be so much more convenient! Maybe with the build up of medicine in my body that will happen. What would be unacceptable is to have my bad day to become more than one.

My hair is still holding tight!

Round One - Day Five

I was awake at 2:00am this morning convinced I could feel my hair follicles dying. So far my daily hair pull tests have produced no results, but I'm sure they'll be fruitful soon enough. We've got the clippers ready to go.

Right now I'm experiencing what I think are booster shot aches. I was told that some people feel like they've got the flu a day or two after the shot. I'm not sure that is how I would describe it. This is a weird skin ache and is mostly on my upper body around my arms, shoulders, neck and lower cheeks near my jaw. It isn't horrible... it is just there.

Food continues to be the key to my happiness. Too little results in an odd hazy feeling so to remedy that situation we hit Olive Garden tonight. I am delightfully full and feeling somewhat normal.

Today was my first day of zero scheduled medication. I did take one "as needed" nausea pill, but may not have had too if I had eaten sooner. Maybe tomorrow can be a pill free day. Hopefully each day from here forward will be a bit better than the last until Round Two. Fingers crossed!

Round One - Days 3 & 4

So far so good... yesterday was a mostly normal day. I think my problem the day before was the lack of decent food. I was so afraid I was going to get sick that I ate less and more blandly than normal. I think that kept my energy down so yesterday I ate much better and felt much better. I was tired after dinner... or maybe I just wanted to hunker down with the new quilt that Aunt Connie sent!! :) It is so cozy and I'm looking forward to spending a lot of quality time with it this winter. Love it, love it!!

Today is a good day so far. My head is a bit fuzzy, but that is not abnormal. My head is never quite right as most of you already know. It is also my first day without scheduled nausea medication and I haven't needed my "as needed" nausea medication yet. I did still get steroids today so maybe energy levels will be down tomorrow... or maybe not! And, I have no aches from my booster shot yesterday! I'd say life is good right now.

Off to have a great day!