Chemo 2 Jeanne 2

"Second quarter and Ruiz is coming off bench rested and ready... she's got a look in her eyes that is making her opponents down court quell with fear".
(This quote came from a very special person at my school who is a HUGE basketball fan, a blog follower and a great friend).
Chemo came out hard to start quarter #2 but Team Jeanne was better prepared this time. She was well hydrated and rested and her IV went to work right after the inbounds pass. Team Jeanne has more defensive options (man-to-man, 2-3 zone, 2-2-1full-court press, not to mention a bunch of cool meds). She is ready!!

Many, many thanks for Team Jeanne's medical personnel: Dr. Janis and his staff of oncology nurses are nothing short of amazing and Team Jeanne is so blessed to have them. Carol(with her own chair) was my chemo partner today and we had a great time visiting and going out to lunch and shopping after. It's a miracle we didn't wash away in the rainstorm getting from Dr. Janis' office to the restaurant.

I am feeling good now. Hoping to work tomorrow and Thursday; taking Friday and next Monday off to chillax and reload so I can finish the rest of this quarter strong.

Received the most WONDERFUL, AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL letter from one of my Confirmation students (now a high school sophomore) and he provided me with a verse for quarter 2:
Acts 20:24 "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the Gospel of God's Grace."
But by the Grace of God will I finish this race, continuing with quarter 2 today.

Thank you all, again, for your support, love, caring, compassion and acts of love (cards, emails, meals).

Lots of Love,

Jeanne

Chemo 3 Team Jeanne 1:End of First Quarter...

Well, the buzzer has sounded, signaling the end of the first quarter. Team Jeanne (renamed because there is NOTHING about this that I am doing by myself) finished extremely strong and clearly took the quarter from Chemo. Team Jeanne struggled at the beginning of the quarter, due to Chemo's MANY weapons that just kept coming off the bench: headaches, nausea, vomiting, nausea, achy bones, insomnia, nausea, night sweats and did I mention nausea? Team Jeanne struggled a bit but kept fighting through the pressure defense and was able to get the upper hand by the end of the quarter.

The only Chemo weapon that I had no defense for was hair loss and it is GONE...we finally buzzed it Saturday night. Clearly when your hair comes out in handfuls every time you touch your head it is time to do something proactive about it. Matt put the clippers to work on a level 4 first, and when Austin said "is there anyway you could make it look a little more even?" , we knew it was time to go to a level 1. I have multiple bald spots even with the level 1 now so I know it is only a matter of time...Oh well, I have a plethora of scarves and a couple of hairpieces so we'll see how it goes. I am almost to the point where I forget about it, as I am out and about around town with my hairless head wrapped in a scarf. I have gotten some wonderful, spontaneous, kind comments from complete strangers. An umbrella isn't so important these days to keep my hair from 'frizzing out'. It is SO much easier to get ready in the mornings...no smoothing hair cream, no root booster, no hair dryer, no big round brush, no mousse wax and no hairspray. Not sure what I'll do when the eyebrows and eyelashes go...
God is good all the time!!! He is the Coach of this team and He has provided the Team with so much compassion, grace, love and reassurance. I cling to that every hour of every day and I thank you all for being a part of this Team.

Lots of Love from the bottom of my heart,

Jeanne