Checking in on Amy

It is the tail end of the long weekend. The sun has been shining every day which I did not expect based on last week's forecast. Even though it has been cool out the sun has tricked me into believing that spring is really here. I guess we'll see. :) On Saturday Rick learned how to give me the injection to help my blood cells grow. It was easy and I couldn't even feel it. I stayed hooked up to the IV hydration just for a couple of hours Saturday before deciding to detach myself and just drink tea and water instead. I'm sure I will be grateful for the hydration in the future if I'm having trouble eating or drinking, but at this point being hooked up to the pump just made me feel like a sick person. (And yes, I know that I AM a sick person, but I am definitely capable of drinking my prescribed 2L of fluids at this point.) I continue to feel pretty good, though the fatigue really kicked in the last couple of days. Yesterday I was feeling really tired and was in a bit of...

Yesterday I had made plans to do a couple of fun things. I went shopping in the morning with some gift cards that had been burning a hole in my pocket since June - goodbye gifts from my Eastview Science family. I'm not much of a shopper, but it was nice to get out and buy myself a couple of nice, comfy things. A student I hadn't seen in years was working in one of the stores I visited, and it was really great to see her and speak with her. After my little shopping excursion I had the great pleasure of visiting my hair stylist/magician/whisperer Kendra. She very generously made space for me when I let her know what was going on with my health. Most of you know that my hair has been quite long for a while AND that I have had very, very short hair a few times in the past. Having had short hair before made it really easy to decide to chop it all off this week. I know that if hair loss is one of the side effects of my chemo (I don't know this for sure yet but I know it is very l...

Last week I received little gestures of caring from so many people. So far I have been able (and eager) to respond to everyone's messages. A wise friend reminded me that I may reach a point when I don't have much energy to write replies, and that I shouldn't think twice about NOT replying when that time comes. Know that I will always receive your messages with gratitude even if I don't reply. Other things that have arrived on my doorstep this week: a warm beverage; surprise lunch; a plant; food for the freezer. All of the deliveries made me smile but only one made me laugh out loud . That one was a GIANT delivery of cookies and butter tarts and cupcakes and edible cookie dough that I was sure was a mistake (since it was enough for a really big party) but was not a mistake. We shared some of these treats and ate some of them and stashed the rest in the freezer. Treats for weeks! Thanks, brother. ;) Among the kind messages I have received was an email from one of ...