All is well!

I have had my second round of chemo and all went well. The time to administer the medications was about 5 1/2 to 6 hours which is better than the first time. I was really glad that it didn't take 8 hours this time, it can get a little boring being there that long. I was also glad that I didn't have any adverse reactions to the Rubituxin this time. Rubituxin is the medication that basically opens up the cancer cells and gets them ready to be blasted away by the other medications. It takes about 4-5 hours to administer it because of the amount given and also they have to go slow since it can cause allergic reactions like rashes (which I had the first time) and hot flushes and speeding up the heart rate. All of which need to be addressed by stopping the medication and waiting for the symptoms to clear up. The other meds I take are given in about 1-1 1/2 hours. I didn't have any sickness at all this last week which gives me hope that things will continue to go well through the rest of my treatments. I have been more tired than usual, but the doctor has already told me that this symptom will only get worse as my red blood cell count continues to drop and I become more and more anemic. There is no way to boost my red blood cells so there isn't really anything we can do about it except to make sure I take small naps when I get tired. They tell me all the time to listen to my body and sleep when I need it.

We decided to take a mini vacation over the 4th of July and we went to Mesquite. Dad was able to get his condo for the weekend and we all had a great time. Dave & Dad and the boys went golfing (36 holes total) and Mom, Eilene & I went to the pool a few times and just relaxed in the condo. Dallin did a little of both although he didn't actually golf or swim because his leg is in a cast due to his broken ankle. It was really hot and we discovered that the heat really affects me, I get overheated very quickly and feel a little sick from it. The doctor said that it is just a combination of how sick I am and the chemo meds and that it should all go away when my teatments are over. The good news is that I am starting to breath a lot easier and that means that the tumor is shrinking. It is so nice not to be struggling to breathe all the time! At one of my appointments in mid june the doctor asked me if my chest hurt and I told him only when I breathe. We all laughed about that at my nadir visit yesterday, it is so great to feel better!

I have found that I really don't mind being bald (actually I have a little peach fuzz which I expect to start falling out soon) and I usually don't wear scarfs or hats...it is just too hot, and they also scratch my head up (which to my surprise is quite tender). Most people don't even take a second glance, although I have had people come up and rub my head as they talk to me which is really weird. I find that a lot of people who know me don't really know what to say to me, I can remember feeling that way a few times in my life, so I try to make them feel at ease and often volunteer the answers to their unasked questions. It still feels like this is a strange dream that isn't really happening to me, and weirder than that is that I really don't feel upset about it. I guess the Lord is just giving me a lot of comfort and the strength to deal with this. I know that I definitely feel the power of prayer in my life, both those said for me and my own prayers. I am so glad that I have the gospel.