Side effect resolution and a new obsession

I'm eight weeks post chemo(as of yesterday) and I'm still having a few side effects from the treatments. I assumed that once the drugs stopped, the side effects would too. Well, that was just dumb on my part!! Of course it takes awhile for the toxins to leave my system...not to mention the number it did on my bone marrow!! The worst side effect that's still lagging is nausea. It's a little bizarre to be nauseous for no reason, but I'm just riding the wave and hopefully I'll stop barfing at some point! My hair is coming in at a nice pace...although I was hoping for faster growth. Still not sure what color or texture it'll be. That's kind of the fun part, having folks guess what color it it...or will be!

In other news, I'm completely obsessed the "R Family Forum." It's a place where the folks going on the R Family Vacations can post questions, thoughts, ideas or just get to know one another. If you don't know, our little family is booked on the July cruise that will be leaving NYC on July 7th. Originally slated to go to Bermuda, the itinerary has recently changed due to the threats of some homophobic churches in Bermuda. The company made the wise decision to avoid a repeat of their Bahamas experience that frightened many children on their maiden voyage several years ago. We're all very excited about the cruise and know it'll be a fun time for everyone. We're planning on spending at least an extra day in NYC to explore a bit. I promised Sofie we'd go to the Central Park Zoo to see Roy, Silo and Tango. (The two male penguins who helped hatch an egg. In an interesting twist of events, Silo has left Roy for a GIRL penguin!! But it seems that Tango has followed in her parents footsteps and paired up with a girl!)

Weekend chocked full o' fun

This past weekend was the first weekend in awhile that Sofie stayed at the Condo with me. She's been complaining about that fact for too long, but with all that's going on with Debra's health it was easier many times to stay at Debra's with Sofie.

I picked D & S up at RDU late Friday evening, dropped D off at home and Sofie and I continued the 3 miles to my place. She was a little jacked up from napping on the plane, so we compromised by watching a Scooby Doo to settle her down. She had also decided that she wanted to sleep in her tent in her room. I had no objections, so I made a nice cozy bed for her and random animals in her tent. She snuggled in, I read books and went to bed myself. The next morning she woke up after 8a and came in and snuggled. She reported that she couldn't fall asleep in her tent, so she ended up in her bed. Bummer.

For Saturday, we had a play date and picnic planned with Taylin, Emma and Jacob and their moms. Sofie and I started the morning with our regular trip to Biscuitville, then over to Debra's to pick up the picnic lunch. (I had NO food in my house, so Debra made a picnic for the two of us!!) I realized that Sofie and I were dressed really inappropriately for the weather. Shorts, long sleeve tshirts and light jackets. I was *freezing* sitting their talking to the other moms. Sofie didn't seem to bothered. We had a couple of fun hours of play and picnic, then everyone went their separate ways. Sofie and I went grocery shopping, then home to relax and snug in for the rest of the day. Big thunderstorms were on their way!!

Sunday, Sofie would NOT wake up. I think she finally needed to catch-up on lost sleep during her previous days at Disney. She slept so late, we missed church. We took our time and decided we'd go the NC Museum of Life and Science to spend a few hours while it poured outside. We had fun, building with Kapla blocks, looking at snakes, trying every exhibit and just hanging out in general. After the museum, off to Locopops, then home to pack up to head back to Debra's. Taylin came over so her mom's could go to the Duke Women's Basketball Banquet. The girls had fun playing and watching a movie while the thunderstorms continued.

I was glad to have Sofie time and I know that Debra was glad to have alone time. A fun weekend for all!!

Holding it together

It's been awhile since I've written an entry of any substance. I'm finding it difficult to put finger to keyboard to type out my true feelings. I've become overcome with feelings of apathy, sadness, loneliness and exhaustion. Life should start getting back to normal after finishing treatment, right? Well, sort of. Ironically, life can be a little more complicated post treatment. During treatment, you chug along doing whatever it takes to get through each day. You don't think or feel too much because you too busy making sure life goes on as normal. After treatment ends, I should be re-evaluating life. Figuring out what I want to change and what needs to stay the same. I haven't had time for that. I'm too busy worrying about what's going on with Debra and how everything is affecting Sofie.

I've been back to work for almost 2 weeks and I have to say, I'm barely holding it together. Being at work is fine. The days pass pretty quickly because I'm busy with interesting projects. The unfortunate thing was my lack of sleep usually caught up with me by days end. Fortunately, there have been visitors helping Debra with Sofie because I'm trying to get my bearings back while keeping my energy up. I haven't been successful. Hopefully I'll be able to rest more while they're in Florida this coming week.

Sofie has made if very clear that she needs/wants more time with me...specifically at the Condo. We have plans for her to stay with me next weekend, after they return from Disney World. I'm looking forward to it. I miss the one on one time we have.

Two Girls and a Firetruck

Taylin as the firefighter, Sofie as the fire dog!