Chemo - round #2

Yesterday was my 2nd chemo treatment, it went very well.
First stop was the lab, where they draw a blood sample.
Next stop was to see Dr. Zu. I keep a log, (since 1st staring chemo) as to what kind of night I had, and every morning I jot down side effects, reactions, etc. It is just a very brief but detailed record. Only one page long. I presented this log to Dr. Zu and he found it very helpful.
He was very pleased with my overall health,
and my (non) bad reactions to chemo. He said that my reactions, which have been minimal, is a very good sign. It probably means the chemo is working. After I have 2 more treatments, we will repeat the CT and bone marrow tests, to see exactly where my cancer stands. (or doesn't stand - if cancer was a person, I picture her knocked on her ass! lol)
Now onto the treatment room. Unfortunately, Rebecca, my (veins) favorite nurse, was not there yesterday. How sad. It was literally hit and miss, 3 times. BOO! I had been there since 9:30 and it was 11am by the time Nurse Vicky got the IV started! Yay for Vicky, she is my new favorite nurse. I was starting to get seriously frustrated, and once again, it was the spot I insisted they use, and it worked.
I know I can get a 'port' installed, to make this easier, but that is another procedure, and so far I just want to tough it out.
Thank the heavens Suzanne (my guardian angel) was with me to keep me distracted and laughing. She has been a rock for me and I am blessed to have her as my friend. ;-)
Once I got settled in, Suzanne had to scoot, to run some errands. I had my trusty lapyop, and a paperback book, which I can hardly put down. Its a novel by Danielle Steel, she just cranks them out!

Interesting people at the Cancer center. Most of the people just cozy up with blankets and recline in their chairs during treatment. Some of these people look really sick. In the chair next to me was this person who was totally bald, no eyebrows, no head scarf, no hat, no wig, no makeup or earrings.
I just assummed (never assume!) this person was male, and it was only when she stood up to go use the restroom (yes, you roll your IV stand with you) I could see she was a woman. She looked about 35 or so, with kind of a mocha complexion, mexican decsent I think. She had this glow about her. I can't explain it. Very magnetic. I introduced my self, her name was Margaurita. We talked. Of coarse I wanted to know about her hair. She lost it 3 months after starting chemo, that was 8 months ago! She said it grows in patchy or not at all in some spots, so she just regularly shaves her head. I asked her, "No wig? no scarf? ever?" She told me she wears a scarf to grocery shop, or when her head gets cold, but thats it. Her answer was very simple when I asked why. She said "I am very comfortable in my own skin." Wow. I'd opt for a nice scarf and earrings I think, maybe even a wig. Still, I was very impressed by her answer. Oh, and her age? She is 54!

Now next to her was this man who was only there about an hour.
His chemo was short. Lucky. He looked like the guys on the Gieco-caveman ads on tv, or Grizzly Adams! Full head of thick brown hair, hairy chin, thick side burns, hairy arms, hairy chest, I pictured his back as being all hairy too, eeeew! lol!

So my point is, the chemo can run the full guantlett, it effects everyone differently. So far, I have been really lucky.