Chemo went well yesterday.  I arrived early, as one of the first patients and left as one of the last, so I was there a long time and saw a lot of people come and go while I waited.  It took about 8 hours to do the whole thing.  They dripped all the meds into me using an IV that was poked into my port.  I'm already grateful for my port.  I never thought I'd say that, but I'm glad I have it now.  The needle that goes into the port is HUGE!!!!!!!!!  I'm so glad that thing didn't go through my wrist or arm!  Yuck!  I noticed a few other patients had ports, but many didn't.  So, I'm a port fan now.

I thought I would be bored being there for SO long, but I managed.  A half hour of it was painful, in terms of being restless and sick of sitting, but most of it was pleasant.  They gave me Benadryl at the onset so I slept at first and then visited with other people after I woke up.  I played some games, read a little, listened to music, or facebooked to help pass time.  I send many appreciative thanks to everyone who emailed or sent a message via facebook.  I read them while I was being treated and they made me feel very loved and happy. Thanks for all the messages.  They really helped!  I even used my blanket from my Aunt Bonnie.  Who knew it would be cold in June?  I used my "comfort quilt" that my class signed for me when I got home...just in case my kids are reading. :)  I felt very comforted and loved. 

While I was being treated I met some wonderful people.  The first woman who sat to my right turned out to be the grandmother of two of my favorite past students.  It was a thrill to sit next to her!  She was completely charming and cheerful.  Her face seemed to have a perpetual smile.  I watched and listened to her as she told about her experiences, often with tears in her eyes, but that smile never faded.  I thought to myself that I wanted to be like her....so happy and optimistic.  So, I found a hero to look up to on day one. 

I also sat by a man named Bob.  He's having a hard time right now with mouth sores.  He's a young man like me.  The mouth sores hurt and make it hard for him to eat, so he's losing a lot of weight and having a hard time with his strength.  He talked of his son and wife and all the blessings he's experienced as well as the heartaches of his present challenges, but everything he said had such a strong power to it.  He made a very strong impression on me.  I felt like I was in the room with someone heavenly.  He was amazing!  As he talked I thought about my brother Craig.  Bob is about the same age as Craig and they have that same comforting brotherly quality.  So, please pray for my new friend Bob...that his mouth sores will go away so he can eat and have the strength to fight his cancer. 

I didn't feel sick or anything while I was at the hospital and I felt good when I left.  I came home and tried to blog, but I couldn't keep my eyes open so I went to bed and slept until early this morning.  So, I guess I was tired.  Oh, I have to tell you about what happened to me when I got home.  One of my students, Kamryn and her mom had left a gift for me by my front door.  I was so delighted to read her card that said, "I hope you fell better soon."  I love first grade spelling.  Ha, ha!  I'm so glad they didn't correct the spelling.  Hearing that one sentence and the smiles that came afterwards were the best parts of my day.  Thanks Kamryn!!!  I think their family must know something of cancer.  Inside their gift was a whole bunch of things to use when I'm sick.  Stuff that makes you feel better!  Inside the gift was ginger ale, saltine crackers, chocolate (Ha, ha!...Love that one!), a journal to write my feelings and experiences in, and a cute hat for when I'm bald.  :)  Thanks Petersons!!  I love you guys.

So many blessings on such an otherwise poopy day.  Thanks everyone!  Today I went into the hospital again to get a follow-up booster shot.  I talked with an older man named George who was HILARIOUS.  He's been fighting cancer for 22 years.  Today he came in for a series of things and he'll end the day with radiation treatment.  He was so funny and had such an amazing outlook on everything.  He said that he deals with his cancer with humor.  He said he could laugh or cry and he chooses to laugh, and I noticed he shared some of his good humor with me today.  Thanks George...wherever you are!  I'm praying for you, Deanne, and Bob now.  I think my prayers are going to take forever with my heart open and with so many good friends to think about. 

So, I'm doing well.  Can't promise that I'll feel well for the next few days, but for now I'm good.   I'm pretty sure I'm going to feel poorly at some point, but so far I'm handling it.  One day at a time is the goal.  I'll worry about today now, and tomorrow later.  :)   Have a great day everyone.  Remember Bob in your prayers!