Week 1

It's been an interesting week. I started my two a day radiation sessions, and was supposed to do chemo from Tuesday through Thursday, but my white cell counts were too low; by a lot. So they pushed that back to next Monday through Wednesday. Luckily my big sister, Jodi, was able to switch her days off from this week to next, and she will be coming to my chemo sessions with me; I'm really looking forward to that,

The days here get a little long, especially if I only have the two radiation sessions, which only take about 15 minutes each. So I have been doing some school planning, exploring Rochester a little more, and doing this. It is only two more weeks of this schedule and then it will just be coming over for chemo.

I know it probably sounds a little weird, but I sort of look forward to the time spent in the radiation department. The treatments are quick and relatively painless, and I am surrounded by people who know what I am going through and are some of the most upbeat people I have ever met, considering our shared condition. Maybe it is the shared sense of how lucky we are to have access to this world class facility. Maybe it is just a greater appreciation for life, and how being negative all the time won't change your situation for the better. Whatever it is, I rarely leave feeling worse than when I come in.

I have no doubt that there will be some darker days ahead. Side effects of both the radiation and the chemo will increase with time. At times I worry about how I will feel for Christmas, and how I don't want my health to be a damper on the excitement of the season for my family. But, I guess that is something I can't control, and I will just have to roll with it, just as my wonderful family has done for me throughout this process. It will get better, I just need to let go and trust that the universe has bigger things in store for me.