I am so sorry that you all had to wait so long for an update. I give small updates as needed on facebook, but I know a lot of you aren't on facebook and I am sorry. This Chemo was kind of in the middle of the first two. Not as bad as the first one, but not as "good" as the second one. I have been sick to my stomach almost every day since then and VERY VERY VERY tired. I have slept quite a bit more in the last week than I usually do.

My hair is coming out in clumps. I just laid on the couch Friday and Saturday after Chemo and didn't even take a shower. So Sunday when I finally felt up to taking one it was very traumatizing. And my husband was not very sympathetic. He learned quickly that it was the wrong time to give me an attitude. So needless to say I told him it was time to shave my head. I think it was too hard on him to do and that must be why he gave me an attitude. So we went out to my dads for my step mom to help me out. This isn't something I wanted to do in public nor have an audience for. Well I guess I chickened out once again, because we just ended up cutting it REALLY SHORT! I have no choice now. It will be gone by tomorrow. I desperately need to deep clean my house but there is no point in doing it until my hair is gone. It is ALL OVER THE PLACE!

I also learned of a website from Irelynn's Occupational Therapist. She wasn't gone half an hour and I had gone on and ordered two scarves and two... WIGS! Yep one is short and blonde and the other is really long straight hair and I think it will be kind of a strawberry blondish brown. The scarf is Pink and the other thing is actually kind of line a beanie and it too is PINK! I hope I wear the wigs enough to get my moneys worth at least. My wrap that I was given was shipped yesterday. So I should have it sometime next week hopefully.

Our trip to Seattle is quickly approaching. We are staying at the Holiday Inn in Renton. We will get to town on Sunday the 11th probably not until at least 1 or so. We are hoping to see Frank's cousin Mister and his family. We don't know too many people over there anymore... and it is such a quick trip. We have opening day on Monday and we are heading out Tuesday the 13th. Didn't want to over do it or over spend. We do need to save for VEGAS!

I want to also say thank you to Patty. She is my part time bookkeeper that covers my days off. She is doing a great job stepping up. I don't have the follow through that I used to have... She is more than willing to work whenever needed. I wish I didn't have to stress so much about having 24 hours (for insurance) or I would probably take her up on her offer a lot more. Some days it is so hard to get through my day. And I only work about 5 hours a day. I have to catch myself or I will just stare off into space. Chemo brain really does exist! I sure hope my bosses don't read this or I may not have a job anymore ;) Anyways, Patty did a wonderful job of getting me a prayer quilt. She went to a couple of other stores that I have worked at and had so many people sign it! I LOVE it. I am waiting until I am hairless to take a picture of it (and me) and then I will post it. And if anyone wants to sign it that didn't get a chance, just let me know. I would love to fill it up. That was Patty's plan, but I think she was too excited to give it to me.

We are loving the meals that have been given to us. It is so nice to have yummy meals. And so often not something I would make. I had been craving tater tot casserole for some time and just hadn't gotten around to making it and then Jill in the deli brought it to us after my last Chemo. It was so yummy!

I took the kids to JC Penney today to have their Easter pictures taken. We went here for the first time for Christmas Pics before Irelynn was born. The lady asked for us to sign a release so they could display them. I felt so honored. So far they haven't used them but it still feels so nice to be asked. So today we were waiting our turn and Betty Ann (?) said it would be just a minute. I noticed they had been switching places as far as who is taking the pictures and I don't think we were supposed to have Betty Ann. So I said with a big old smile... "Are you going to take them" and she said "I can" and of course I said yes please! Not saying the other people aren't as good, she just really does a good job and had a lot more patience. So once again as I am picking which pictures I want to buy, Betty Ann came up to us and told the other lady... "we need her to sign a release" YIPPEE they asked again! So always keep your eye on the little fliers that they send out in the mail or put in the magazines or even hang in their stores. It could be Zander and/or Irelynn!

Well that is all for today. I am sure I will let you know how our weekend goes. Hopefully we will make it to Riverfront park on Saturday. We need to pick up and start using our season passes that we have already paid for.

Hello again to everyone. Thank you for keeping up with me. I love to go back and read all your comments. Some make me laugh, some make me smile, and some make me want to cry. My emotions are actually in check lately. Not too bad. Hooray for Frank! So I am still doing really well since my last Chemo and am anxiously (?????) awaiting this coming Wednesday to get #3 out of the way! Here is a not too great picture of me with my new Tinkerbell hat. I think Zander took this one. It's for the people that don't get to see me, which is probably the majority of you reading this. My hair is really coming out. I have been thinking about cutting it one more time, but don't know if it's worth it. I think in the next couple weeks I will be shaving it.

After doing all of my countdowns I thought "how sad is that!" and I told Frank I NEED something to look forward too. Just the end of Chemo isn't cutting it for me anymore. Soooooo... We are in the process of planning a trip to... VEGAS! We aren't going until October, but I am looking and looking and looking and pricing and pricing. A couple of my sisters and their families are coming with us and maybe a friend from work and her husband. We are going to go down for 4 days with everyone else and then we are going to stay a few extra days with my good friend Kim who lives there. And as much as Frank is trying to talk me out of it... OUR KIDS ARE GOING WITH US! Just not ready to part with them any time soon. Hopefully the medical bills won't get in the way of this trip. I am trying to get it going soon so we are "locked" in.

We also got tickets to opening day for the Mariners! This has been a big concern to me because I just don't know if I will feel up to going. Hopefully I will be okay. If not, Irelynn and I can hang out at the hotel and Frank and Zander can go without me. I just couldn't watch it go by without at least trying. We have gone every year since we got married and Zander and Irelynn have both been to every one since they were born. Well, Irelynn went last year and this will be her 2nd. It will be Zander's...4th.

So Irelynn has an appt tomorrow to get a new G-Tube. She won't be able to pull this one out like she does now. Which will be nice. I am going to push to see if they will re-do her fundoplication. With the Fundo, they take the upper part of the stomach and wrap it around the esophagus. She can no longer puke when she has this done. She had it done last May and it only lasted 4 months. I am hoping this time it will last longer. I worry about the acid coming up and how uncomfortable that is for her. I know over the last few weeks I have developed horrible heartburn and it sucks! I can only imaging how she feels. She hasn't gained any weight since her 12 month check up. Actually she did gain, but then she lost it again. The pediatrician isn't too concerned about the weight loss, because Irelynn is so mobile now and burning calories. I think though that her dietitian and her speech therapist are on board with us wanting to re-do the fundo.

Zander is doing well and had recovered from his ear infection and possible strep. He is happy to tell us "my ears don't hurt anymore!". He is wanting to get outside so much now. Hopefully over the next few weeks it will get even nicer than it already is.

So tomorrow is March 10th. March 10th in my family is similar to Christmas. At least it was when I was growing up. March 1oth marked the start of a countdown to my birthday. This year however... March 10th is the start of a countdown to my nephew's birthday. Why you ask??? Because if everything goes as planned my final Chemo will by on Tanner's 17th birthday. Much more fun to count down to Tanner's birthday than mine this year!

For those of you that don't know, my family has a way with birthdays. We like to share. So my niece Lindsey was born on my September 23rd which is also my mom's birthday. My sister Karin's kids are both born on January 20th, 5 years apart. I share my birthday with a couple of friends. My dad, Ben and Jennifer are all within a week of each other in May. Zander was born on my best friends birthday as well as my cousin Ronnie's who passed away when I was about 7. And March 10th is my 3 older sisters birthdays. Yep, tomorrow they will be 38 (Krista), 36 (Karin), and 34 (Kimberly). When I was six I actually traded Krista birthdays so I could share with Kimberly and Karin and so Krista could have her own. I even told my teacher that my birthday was March 10th.

So yes between tomorrow and June 4th (my birthday) there are 86 days. There are 24 days until mine and Frankie's 6th anniversary (April 3rd), and there are 32 days until Mariners opening day. And the most important one this year is... 133 days until my last Chemo! Probably another week after that until I will feel good again.

On to more important things... Today I got to take Irelynn to the Guild School for Occupational therapy rather than them coming to our home. Irelynn's OT is in a similar situation as I am. Not exact, but similar. We are even on a similar schedule for Chemo. Our immune systems are extremely weak and since Zander is sick, I took Irelynn in so I wouldn't infect our OT. It was such a nice experience and hopefully we will get to continue this for a while. I think we are going to do one therapy in home and one in center for a while. She did well today with both therapy's and is now sleeping because she is so tuckered out.

Zander is doing okay. I spent 2 1/2 hours at Urgent care with him yesterday. He has a double ear infection and possibly strep throat. You couldn't even tell today that he is sick. He missed school, but I think he will be fine to go tomorrow. They didn't actually do a strep test since he needed the meds anyways. Now I am questioning if he really had it. I don't think the meds would work that fast!

Feeling pretty good the last couple days and looking forward to another nice weekend. Thank you everyone for your continued thoughts and prayers.

My big boy playing in the yard on 3/5/2010. He turned his hat sideways by himself. I don't encourage that...

I can't believe how nice it is outside this weekend! We have spent ALOT of time out there. I do have to be careful because I can tell when I have overdone it. I think the last couple days since I have been feeling pretty good, I have over done it a little. I can honestly say, I wouldn't mind if the next 10 treatments were just like this one. I don't think I will be that lucky though. I have had a wonderful weekend with my family and we still have one day to go. I was able to take Zander outside on Friday. He got to jump on his trampoline and then we walked over to the park. Too many big kids for him though. He didn't mind at all when I told him it was time to go home. I had to get home to rest. It's only about a block to the park, but I need to be careful. When we got home he played some soccer out in the yard and I sat on the porch and watched him. He is my good boy.



Today was Frankie's turn. He took him out to jump on the trampoline and they played some baseball. Zander is our sports nut! He is going to be keeping us soooo busy as he gets older. That is okay with us though! I would rather he was busy playing sports because he wants to than be out getting in trouble because we didn't encourage him to do other things. Frank and Zander also went to the park to play today, but all Zander wanted to do was play baseball.



Irelynn is still our good girl. Not much to say about her. She has definitely learned the "if I cry, they will come" and she sure uses that to her advantage! She doesn't just whimper. SHE WAILS! And we get to her and she just gives us the biggest grin you could imagine! She is clapping so much now and lets you know that she wants to play. She also is learning Peek-A-Boo. We got her a walker so we could carry it out to the yard easily to play. She is learning to walk backwards. Hey isn't that how most kids start out?



My mom is staying with us. Not so much because I "needed" her, but it is working out well so far. It is nice to have her here so I can go downstairs and rest if needed. She is a big help.



I am thinking if I feel okay next Saturday we might take a day trip somewhere. Don't know where. I just want to get out of town for a while. Maybe down to Lewiston or over to Missoula. We will see I guess.



Sorry for not having an update everyday. I post on my facebook pretty much every day, but not too much detail. Just kind of letting people know how I am feeling.

The Isbelle family last 4th of July in Seaside, Oregon. Another "annual" trip that most likely won't happen this year :(

This treatment in some ways has been better and in some worse. The last one I was just fine the next day until I got that stupid shot. Then it was HORRIBLE but only for a few hours. This time, I have been sick to my stomach since I left the place yesterday. I didn't have the same reaction to the shot this time though. I still have some rough days ahead of me, but have learned some secrets to try and make it easier on me. And my family probably. I am trying so hard to keep the fluids coming but it is tough.

I had figured I caught the cold Zander had since my last treatment, but didn't realize to what extent I "caught" it to. I found out yesterday that I have Bronchitis. I actually didn't feel all that bad and was kind of shocked when she said that. So I am on a Z pack??? I don't really know what else to say.

The open house didn't go to well. Oh well. I heard today that they have extended the $8000 tax credit until June. The only way this benefits us is by bringing us a buyer. We haven't been here long enough for the 2nd part of the rebate to benefit us.

Once again, thank you to all for everything.

This is an old one of my Zander Mander. Just thought I would include it for old times. He was probably a few months old.
And here is one of my happy girl. This is what we see EVERY time we go in and get her from her bed.

Not going to post anything tonight. Just wanted to let everyone know I am heading to bed. I have my 2nd treatment tomorrow. I have to be there at 1:00. Frank is taking me on his lunch break and picking me up when he gets off. I am nervous and excited at the same time. I had such a horrible time after the last one, I am anxious to see if I react the same way. I am excited to be able to say I have 2 treatments behind me.

Thank you to all for your well wishes and prayers. We all appreciate everything.

Zander moved to the couch after falling asleep at the table. He was so tired from playing all day with Abby and Harrison.

Zander sleeping at the dining room table

Irelynn getting her 1st official haircut. She looks like a big girl :(

Happy Sunday everyone. We just finished a VERY YUMMY meal. And I even pre heated the oven and "made" it myself! Thank you!

On Friday I was having such a good day. After I took Irelynn to the eye doctor I picked up my friends 2 kids. Harrison is 3 and is Zander's best friend. They go to school together too. Abby is 5 and also has DS. This was my first time spending any amount of time on my own with another child with DS besides Irelynn. I think I did pretty good! She is such a sweet little girl. Zander was sooooo tired from not having a nap that he fell asleep at the dinner table! That is after he brought me his jammies and asked me to help him put them on.

We had a pretty good weekend. We worked out in the yard alot on Saturday. I think it looks pretty good. We also got more work done inside too. The open house is behind us. I need to call our realtor and see if anyone came.

On Saturday... we took Irelynn to get her 1st haircut! It's technically her 3rd but it's her 1st official one. When she was just a few weeks old she got a HORRIBLE intestinal infection and they had to shave part of her head to put a PICC line in. Then in August when she had heart surgery, the nurses cut her hair because it got so tangled in the back. I was a little angry with them for that one.

I am still feeling pretty good. I am very anxious for Wednesday. I am wondering if all my treatments are going to be like this last one, or if I was fighting off this cold and it made it worse. I am hoping that is the case!

Thank you EVERYONE!

The day we brought Irelynn home. Zander was sleepy and hiding in my coat. So not the best family picture. But there we are with our 3 babies.

I was going to try and start each new post with a new picture. Not necessarily a NEW picture, but new to a lot of you.

Well, I had permission yesterday to have a pity party. I did a lot better than I thought I would. Frank and I have had a "tough road" we are very happy but it seems like we have had a lot of road blocks. On New Years Eve we had a nice conversation with a friend of ours and I told Frank that I am pretty proud of us for making it through the past year. In the last year you figure, Irelynn was born having Down Syndrome which was not expected. But we handled it pretty well I thought. So then we learn that we can't bring our baby home from the hospital like all the other new parents, instead she gets to take a Med Star trip to another hospital where we get to visit her wearing gowns for the next 7 weeks. Finally talking them into letting us take her home at 7 weeks we bring her home to meet her 2 big brothers. Yep her 2 big brothers. We made it through the 7 weeks having 2 kids at home and 1 in the hospital. And fighting to try an keep our middle child. In this time we also learned that she would need to have major heart surgery. So we end up "giving up" on Eli, which was the hardest thing we have ever had to do and we think of him EVERY DAY. So March 20th we said goodbye to Eli for the last time. Things go well for a couple months we adjust to life with just 2 kids. At the end of June Frank comes home from work (we were getting ready to leave on vacation) and tells me that he got laid off. All righty then, can we do anymore? So we turn this into a positive and say he needs to be home anyways while Irelynn has and recovers from heart surgery (which at this time has not been scheduled). So Frank was a stay at home dad for a couple months and actually got called back to work on the day Irelynn was released from the hospital after having her heart surgery... Perfect timing.



I guess that is all we had until January 26th. Oh I guess back to the pity party part though. Yesterday was Eli's 2nd birthday. I thought I would be more emotional. It's been 11 months since we saw him last, since we heard his cute little laugh, saw his big blue eyes and adorable smile. We are doing okay, but there is seriously not a single day that goes by that we don't think of him. He will always be our baby boy too.



The past 2 days I have been visited by members of my Yokes family. Everyone has been so kind and giving. Thank you to everyone. Most recently it was the Indian Trail Yokes and our Home Office. I am AMAZED! THANK YOU SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO SO MUCH! I know... I work in a grocery store, and I hate to grocery shop. You guys have made my week! Among other things. I have a yummy meal in the oven and we are looking forward to a new meal!



I guess I could tell you too, that I felt pretty good today. Made it through my week of work. I actually was able to take a nap today! I have not been sleeping at night and haven't even been able to take naps either. Looking forward to raking the yard tomorrow or Saturday I hope.

The Isbelle family. February 20, 2009. 25 days post diagnosis and 2 haircuts later.

For those of you that haven't heard of the FINAL addition to our family...Gilbert is our new Pug. I guess if we have it our way Zoee and Gilbert will fall madly in love and maybe have a litter or two.

I don't think I will EVER get a picture of both kids looking. Even the professional pictures don't work out. Oh well. They are adorable looking at the camera or not!






My big boy. I can't believe he is 3 and 3 months! I know I shouldn't be counting the months, but he is still my baby and I could telling you he is 3 years and 84 days!



I wasn't going to post today since I did yesterday and really there isn't anything going on. But I wanted to post and say "WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY!" I worked this morning and then my mom and the kids and I went for a nice drive. When we got home I took Zander out to jump on his trampoline. We also played some soccer. He is going to be one KICK A** soccer player next year when we get him started! He even dribbles the ball! I also had a request for some pictures. So I am posting one of our family taken just a couple days ago. I have been wanting to get one taken before my hair falls out. However, was not planning on doing it on this day. So I don't look to great. Not that I or anyone ever thinks they look good in a photo.

Oh by the way. I feel GREAT today. Haven't even taken any Tylenol today! I sure hope I feel this good this weekend. I would love to get some yard work done on Saturday to help get ready for the open house! I am a little tired, but that goes along with not sleeping at night among other things.

Good day to everyone! For the first time in almost a week I can honestly say I feel ALMOST "typical". I don't like the work normal, I prefer typical. I still have a head ache, but it is just that a head ache. Not the feeling that my head is going to explode or that my head is stuck in a clamp.

Sleep has become a rare thing for me. Just as I doze off I wake myself up and my head has hurt so bad, that I am not able to fall back to sleep. Last night I went to bed at 6:00. I was up every 15 to 20 minutes until about 12:30 or 1:00. I finally fall asleep and my alarm goes off just before 4:00... AM.

I returned to work for the first time in almost a week today. It was also the first day since my first Chemo. I went in last Wednesday but it was only for a few hours and I had my helper there doing most of the work. I wasn't sure I was going to make it. I was told by 2 people that I was very pale. I could only stand for a few minutes and had to sit down and regroup. At about 8:30 or so I felt hungry for the first time in a week. I ate some bacon and eggs from the deli and treated myself to a mocha (that took me until 1:30 to drink). I kept it down and am actully feeling hungry again!

If you had asked me yesterday or even this morning how I was going to do this, I would have told you there is absolutely no way I can work through this. But I can. I CAN do it. It's going to be tough and I am going to have to accept the help that people are offering. This is very tough for me. I also need to stop feeling guilty about being a bad mom and wife. If I can beat this, they can beat dealing with me for the next several months. I know that we were blessed when Irelynn was born. Learning of her Down Syndrome. We have been told my many that we are blessed. Though I don't know if people know the true reason we are blessed. Yes we are blessed because we have the most beautiful baby girl (and son), but what would I do if she were a typical child? A one year old to chase after?!?!?!? Irelynn is not an easy child when it comes to a lot of things, but at the same time... She is SOOOOOO much easier than a typical child! And she is sooooo easy going. The next several months may not be as beneficial to her as we would like, but she will survive. And I am going to be better off when I beat this, than I have been her ENTIRE LIFE! We will catch up.

Zander is finally feeling better. A trip to the Doctor on Thursday showed he was all clear of infections. It was a virus and there is nothing they can do for him. When he was doing worse on Friday, I called back because I was concerned he was getting dehydrated. After hearing him in the background, the nurse said they needed to see him again. Luckily they didn't have any appts until 6:40 in the evening so we were able to go as a family. Well by that time, he had an ear infection. I think it is number 4 of his life. So he is on meds and is finally feeling better. He is in desperate need of a bath and I feel bad that he went to school today without one. Luckily he has great teachers that understand! Also when I got to school to pick him up, he wasn't in his classroom. I first my heart kind of sunk. I thought "am I so out of it that I didn't remember that someone else was picking him up" or "who the heck is picking him up!" But they didn't let me stress for long. They are transitioning him to the "big kid" class. Yep, my baby is a big boy. He got to play on the big kid toys and take a nap with the big kids. Sad sad day. It is a good thing. Over the past few weeks he has started to get into more trouble. I think since his buddy Harrison was moved to the big kid class, Zander has started to get bored. I will miss his teachers, but I am sure the new ones will be just as great. And it is still in the same building...

I am thankful to the people that came over on Saturday and helped get our garage cleaned out and to just visit with me. I am thankful to the people that have carried my work upstairs for me and offered to bring me my meals so I don't have to go up and down the stairs at work. I am thankful to the people that have offered to cook us meals to freeze and to buy us diapers. As hard as it is for me to accept it, I am trying my hardest. I think I have realized that it helps you all out as much as it helps me. And Frank too really.

I may not post again for a few days since I don't have another Chemo until next Wednesday. I am hoping to feel better to help Frank get the house ready for our Open House on Sunday.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!

This morning was pretty bad for me. I was in a lot of pain. For the most part it has mostly gone away. I tossed and turned all night again. My ears feel like they are going to explode, my mouth hurts horribly and my jaw. I had to get a shot on Tuesday that causes joint pain. I guess mine went to my jaw joint... :) I am feeling a little better this afternoon, I am very concerned about Zander. He won't eat or drink anything. He has another appt in a few hours. I am worried he is getting dehydrated. My friend is bringing me a shake from McDonald's and I asked Zander if he wanted fries and he said no, so I asked him if he wanted nuggets and he said no, so I asked him if he wanted a shake and he said no. For a kid to turn down McDonald's, must mean he's not feeling well.

Irelynn went to the doctor today too. Thank you to Frankie for taking her :) She is losing weight which also concerns me. She pukes up EVERYTHING. Hopefully we can get to the bottom of this soon! She is a happy little thing all things considered!

We are happy to have some friends and family come over tomorrow to help us get some stuff done around the house. Some days I feel like we should take the house off the market, but at the same time, I don't want to be "stuck" here when it comes time for the kids to start school. We are having an open house next weekend. Maybe it will bring in a buyer. Cross your fingers and toes!

I finally was able to make my blog look a little cuter. We will see if I change it again. Thank you again everyone for your thoughts and prayers and kindness. It means the world to me.

Good morning all. Or afternoon or evening. Whatever it is when you are reading this. It is morning for me. I didn't sleep to well. Tossed and turned all night. I am pretty weak today. Not feeling like doing much but I need to get Zander to the doctor. So I am pushing myself to do it.

Yesterday was a bad day for me. I went to work for a few hours and actually felt pretty good. When I got off work I had to go in for a shot. Not sure of the name of it yet. It starts with an N. So it was no big deal but driving home, I just didn't feel right. I got home and ended up getting sick. Then I had the worst stomach cramps I have ever had in my entire life. At least that is what I think they were. Nothing could help me. Frank called the Oncologist office and they had him bring me right in. They gave me fluids through my port as well as some nausea meds. Frank went back to work and called 4 hours later to see if he could come get me. I slept the entire time I was there. I felt so much better though.

I felt well enough to go to Jeff Dunham with Frank, but I really didn't enjoy it too much. I just couldn't get comfy and I was soooo tired. I ended up going out to the car about 15 minutes before it was over. I hope Frank at least enjoyed it a little. I kind of wish I had sent him with someone else. Oh well too late now.

So Zander has an appt in about an hour. I am hoping we can get him feeling better. I think it will be a pretty lazy afternoon in the Isbelle house. When we get home, I think it will be nap time for all 3 of us. He is such a good boy and I feel bad I couldn't take him to the doctor yesterday like I should have. There was just no way :(

Thank you everyone once again. Sorry,just not into typing right now. I can't believe how many times I have had to delete because I made a mistake. Must be a sign.

Wow! That kicked my butt! Boy am I tired. They gave me benadryl and it knocked me out. I have a bit of a headache and an upset stomach. Nothing major. Just counting down the hour until I can take more nausea meds then I think I will go to bed.

We got home from the place at about 2:30 and I just laid down on the couch and went to sleep. I slept or dozed through much of the treatment too. I am not sure I will be able to drive myself to and from them if I have to have benadryl every time. I have said the people at Evergreen are so kind. And I have to say it again. The Doctors actually came around and spoke to each and every person in the infusion room. I don't know that just means a lot to me. They know each and every one of us and it makes me feel cared for.

I am glad I had the port put in. It was not a big deal at all today. They just accessed it and drew blood so they could do my blood work, then they started pumping drugs into it. ONE POKE TODAY! NO IV! And I didn't really even feel the poke. I do have to go back in tomorrow afternoon to get a shot. I guess I had to get a shot of one of the meds today to make sure I wasn't allergic to it. So 2 pokes today.

I don't really know what to say tonight. So far so good. I am one treatment closer to being done... Irelynn is in a mood today. Wanting to be held and I feel so weak I am scared to hold her. Zander is sick. He is floating right around 100 for a temp. He just got up on the couch to hide from Frank and ended up falling asleep. My poor baby. If he is still running a fever tomorrow I will take him in. Or try to take him in. He has no symptoms except his asthma cough, so the only thing I can think of is an ear infection. He says his ears don't hurt though.

I think I am going to bed now. Thank you everyone for caring for me. I will try and post over the next few days to let you all know how I feel. They are saying this weekend will be rough so we will see.

Tomorrow is the day. I am not really very nervous. At least not yet. I am soooo happy that Frankie took the day off to go with me. I really didn't want to go to my first one by myself. I went and cut my hair shorter today. Still trying to prepare Zander, and really myself too. My incisions from my port are still driving me crazy. I took the little bandages off today because I couldn't stand them anymore. I put a band aid over one of them, but the other one seems to be doing okay. Still don't have much pain. At least not from the port. It's weird. You can't see it, but you can see where it pops up a bit under my skin. I really hope that this first one doesn't affect me a whole lot. That's what I have heard. I shouldn't have a hard time until the 2nd or 3rd treatment. I have started my anxiety/nausea meds as directed by LOTS of people. Well off to slumber land for me. Thank you once again to everyone. I will try and post tomorrow night to tell you all about it! I know you will all be on the edge of your seat until you hear about it!

Most of you are probably amazed at how my daughter is sleeping. This is not a usual thing or a good thing. In the last week or so she has started sitting herself up. She does the splits like this and pushes herself up. It is very bad for her hips. But it was cute and I had to take a picture.

What a day today! I started it out once again waking up before the sun was up, in pain. So I once again came upstairs for a potty break and some ibuprofen. Played on facebook a little and went back down to bed for an hour or so. I had to wake up early (again) on my day off because I had 4 appts today! All for myself! Usually it is 4 appts in one day for Irelynn. Since I had surgery yesterday I couldn't drive this morning so Frankie dropped me off at the eye doctor before he went to work. My appt there was at 8:00. I made plans for Karin to pick me up there at about 9:00. She made it in time to help me pick out new glasses! I should get them next week. I have been getting sick of these ones. It's been 2 years.

From there we went and got very much deserved mochas :) Then it was up to the Oncologists office for Chemo school. I wanted someone with me to help me remember everything and I know Frank is going to be asking for a lot of time off so I asked my sister to go with me. It was very informative and ALOT of questions were answered. A chemo cycle is every 28 days but a cycle consists of 2 treatments. One every other week. Which is what I expected but the scheduler lady had me all confused. I don't think she knew what she was talking about. She isn't the "normal scheduler". I was told that I can no longer take Ibuprfen or aspirin. This is going to SUCK. As Frank says, I eat Ibuprofen like it is candy. I think they are going to send me back to my primary to get better relief for my sciatica. They also gave me a script for a wig! That surprised me.

From there we went to Target and Shopko and I got myself 4 hats! It was pretty fun. Then we went to lunch.

At 2:00 I had a PFT test to check my lungs and at 2:45 I had an EKG to check my heart. Some of the meds I will be on CAN cause heart disease and something with the lungs. So they wanted to see how they were doing to see how long I could be on the meds. I do have lungs and I do have a heart. No matter what some people say.

I finally got home to my babies at about 4:30. What a long day. I am feeling pretty good today as far as emotions go. Where my port was placed is a little tender. I thought I was allergic to the iodine they put on me before surgery, but since I told them that yesterday and they didn't use it and I still broke out, we are leading towards me being allergic to the tagaderm (bandage) that was placed over the incisions.

Well, I am getting to the point where I just want to go to bed. My wonderful hubby should be home any minute now and I am looking forward to seeing him. I am so lucky to have him.