Mother's Day 5-9-10

Happy Mother's Day! Well, when I first learned of my need to have chemo, I worried that it might ruin Mother's Day. It didn't affect it at all. I had breakfast out at Einstein Bagels and went to lunch and "How to Train Your Dragon" 3D at the Alamo Drafthouse. We decided on an indoor adventure this year more because of Scot's allergies than because of my chemo. It was also nice to share this day with my Mom. This is the first time in 11 years that we were together for Mother's Day.

On Friday, I got wonderful poems and pictures from my kids that their teacher directed them in doing. I really appreciate the time and work that the teachers put into those projects. The kids couldn't even wait till we got home to share them, much less till Sunday. They were especially proud of their efforts this year.

On a funny side note, I have just about run out of conditioner for my hair. I have been wondering with my hair expected to fall out in the next two weeks, should I buy a new bottle of my expensive Aveda conditioner? use a cheap conditioner? or just forget about the conditioner all together? I chuckle and shake my head every time I think about it.

Oh, and I must give a report from my checkup on Thursday at Texas Oncology. My weight stayed exactly the same, though I'm sure if I had to go back tomorrow, I'd weigh more. I must exercise and eat less between now and Thursday before I have to step on that scale again. Weekly weigh ins are going to keep me on the eating right wagon. It might as well be Weight Watchers! My blood counts were perfect, but they didn't expect to see a change till next week's test anyway, but I still count that as good. They also told me they were not happy that I had gotten sick to my stomach a few times in the first three days following the treatment. Here I thought I had done well to only be sick a couple of times. They told me they don't want me sick to my stomach at all. I was told the next time they will change the meds. and do a better job of preventing any vomiting. I'm okay with that. I also learned that one of the pills I was taking to prevent the nausea was an anti-anxiety drug that relaxes you. Now I know why I slept so much and felt so calm and casual about puking.

I received a special gift this weekend from a friend going through a similar diagnosis right now with me. She gave me an Inner Strength necklace and I haven't taken it off. It is two connected loops, one inside the other and it has these words printed on the loops, "All the strength you need is right there inside you." The display card it came on also reads, "Just as this necklace has no end there will be no end to your success if you remember that determination, not destiny, makes all the difference in life. In all matters of consequence never, never, never give up." How perfectly stated. I love it! She is also positive and strong and it's been great to know someone else who sees this situation in the same way that I do. I think in the long haul, we'll be a great support for one another and end up much closer than we would have otherwise been. This relationship is another cancer blessing.