I'm ready to talk a bit

OK. So I was a little upset about the hair thing. Still am. But, I'm getting over it. Especially now that I have discovered how painful it is to lose my hair. I'm not just talking about emotional. I'm talking physical. It hurts. It's like little pins and needles poking at my head. It is VERY unpleasant. For awhile I thought that I would try to keep my hair as long as possible. Now, I'm this close to shaving it all off. (Karen, your available right?) These are things that should be included in the chemo pamphlet. I think it would make it easier for people. Yes, you are going to lose your hair, but by the time it happens it's going to be pissing you off so much that you're going to want it gone.
Anywho. Since I'm finally ready to talk a little, I'll fill you in on the most recent chemo. On tuesday morning Marta, Mom and myself set off for Westchester. It was a much more pleasant ride considering that the port has healed up. (Did I mention that the tape and glue finally fell off?) The whole thing was significantly less nerve racking than the first time. We got the "special room" again. I'm still not sure why. I'm hoping that it's because we bring so much stuff. Then I can just continue to do that and get special treatment. We all know how much I like special treatment. When Betsy hooked me up to the IV I didn't have the urge to hit her. It was much less painful. Which is a good thing because I was a little distract by the funny colors that Marta's face was turning. Apparently watching the needle go into the port isn't a pleasant sight.
They started me off immediately with the steroids that prevent my reaction to the pre-chemo and in doing so, were able to start me at a higher dose and cut about an hour off of the whole process. For the most part I slept. It was actually kind of boring. Marta and I played a word game for awhile. Mom tried to play but it didn't really work out.
I do recall that at some point Denise, the nurse practitioner, came in and asked if she could show someone my port. They will never make that mistake again. The woman was only a few years older than me and just like me deathly afraid of needles. Now, I think that I am a very sympathetic person, but I wasn't about to lie to her. SHE was the one that asked if it hurt, I just told her the truth. Yes it hurt, but not as much as the bone marrow biopsy. How was I to know she hadn't gotten that one done yet? That she, in fact, was on her way to have it done with in the hour? Oops. I'm not quite sure exactly what else I said, but I'm sure mom and marta will fill you all in. All I know is that woman left my room looking anything but reassured. I guess it's a good thing I didn't take out the laptop and show her the vampire/needle picture, huh? See, that showed some restraint on my part.
After the chemo I had a very interesting reaction. As most of you know, I am NOT a shopper. I hate shopping. In fact, if I had a choice between shopping and chemo, I chose chemo. However, after the chemo all I wanted to do was shop for scarves. And maybe an outfit for easter ...and possibly a new skirt...maybe some sandals. I know. Insane, right? For a normal person chemo wipes them out and they go home and sleep. Not me. I grabbed marta and we went shopping.
Another interesting side effect, it made me very social. While Marta and I were shopping we ran into Mrs. Wyrostek. We stopped and chatted for a bit, and she mentioned that she was having trouble getting onto the blog. So I offered to email her the link, and the entire conversation was being overheard by the cashier. Later on, as marta and I were checking out the cashier asked about the site and, in totally odd and social non-Elizabeth behavior, I offered up the information about the site and struck up a conversation. I know, weird? If she happens to check on I hope she leaves a comment.
The rest of the day was uneventful. I finally got tired and went home and, while modeling the scarves for my mother, discovered that my hair was falling out. This sort of put me off my blogging. Sorry. The next day Katrina took me down to Westchester for my Neulasta shot. Once again, just as painful. It burns going in, and with in the hour my bones start to ache. That night was church and people got their first preview of Elizabeth with scarf. I think it went well. Since I think the wig will probably itch, the scarf look will be the one I'm most likely going to be going for. That nights choir rehersal was pretty hellish though. Haha. Choir rehersal, in a church, hellish. Ha. Okay maybe that was only funny to me. Not only are we working on all of the music for holy week, but he kept us their until 11. I shouldn't really complain, I fell asleep on a pew. I only woke up for the last song. (A horribly canned music gospel funk rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus.) Not a pleasant evening.
Thursday I slept until noon. With the occasional pill break. I then kind of lazed around for awhile until Brian called. (Cousin Brian) He came over to help me count the eggs for the easter egg hunt. I fill you all in on that some other time, but just so you know there are over 1000 eggs to be counted. Don't worry he was fed for his trouble. Then sent home so that I could watch CSI.
Then today I again slept until noon, with the pill wake up in the morning. Then I spent 2 hours on the phone with both unemployment and my school trying to sort out various problems. I think that is finally taken care of. Then Sam DeGraffenried came over with a plate of brownies for me. And how do I thank her? I put her to work fixing the Relay for Life sign that I need to have done for church on Sunday. In fact, she's still here. I'm think I'm going to keep her here until it's done. Shhh. Don't tell. Oh wait. She's looking over my shoulder. Huh. That could be a problem. Don't worry I will feed her too. I feed all my slaves. Friends. You know what I mean. That's all for now. I hope your all caught up. Don't forget to leave a comment. I live for positive reinforcement. Like my mother said, "Visiting the site without leaving a comment is like watching public television without writing a check to support it." Leave me comments.
Do we think I'm getting too demanding?
Talk to you later. -Elizabeth