five down, seven to go

I had my fifth chemo this week. It went surprisingly well. My best friend Tara came with me, and took me home after. I usually start to feel effects from the treatment immediately. My hands get shooting pains in them, I feel tired, sometimes my lips or fingers cramp up; basically I feel like I've been poisoned. A day or so after chemo, I usually become really dehydrated. It gets so bad that I can barely get out of bed, and I need someone to feed me soup and brush my hair and hug me a lot. This time has been the complete opposite! Hooray! I feel like I have energy, and I can get up and do things. I have even put my make up on and fixed my hair every day! Things couldn't have gone better. Well, there are still a few annoying side effects, like my hands still tingle and I'm really tired and I've developed a few mouth sores. I've never had the mouth sores before, but I always knew it was a possible side effect. They're not too bad, I just use a rinse and it numbs my whole mouth. I've been eating a lot also. I usually get nauseous and lose my appetite the week after chemo, but I've been a little piggy. I was so hungry when we got home from the hospital, Tara made me two batches of chicken nuggets! She took such great care of me.

Saturday morning we left for Cedar City. I wasn't sure if I would go, but since I had been feeling so sprightly, I decided to make the trek. We had to pack up all of our remaining possessions from my in-laws house from when we lived with them last year. We will finally have all of our belongings to ourselves again. Also, my sister-in-law Jody was in town. She lives in Atlanta, and decided to stop in for a visit. It was really nice to see her.

My mother-in-law got a brand new puppy, her name is Murphy. As in Dale Murphy. She is a Shih Tzu and she very well may be the cutest thing ever. She is so fun to snuggle and play with. I cant even put my laptop on my lap because she has taken it over. If you cant tell, I really want a dog.

Nathan packed up the car this morning and left. I'm staying an extra night and driving home with my mother-in-law. She is nice enough to come up and bring a load of our stuff. Her mother lives in Provo, so she can visit her also.

All in all I'd say it was a pretty great week. I'm just so grateful that I didn't get very sick this time around. I know I have a lot of people thinking of me and praying for me. I wouldn't be able to get through these tough times without those thoughts and prayers. Only seven treatments left! Booyah!