.......and so it begins.

Another half day in the hospital yesterday getting the results of the biopsy done a couple of weeks ago. Now we go ahead!

Hilary starts her chemo next Thursday August 5th. She has opted for an agressive treatment after having being presented with the options. Apparently the side effects are worse but the prognosis is both better and much faster. Short term pain for long term gain we tell ourselves.

The chemo itself is quite protracted. Day #1 is a full day in the hospital. Days #2 thru 10 a needle every day, given at home. Days 2 thru 5 pill (Pregnazone). Every day another pill to control the build up of uric acid. By now 11 days have gone by. Ten days later she starts the cycle again................for eighteen weeks......into December sometime.

The normal side effects, as described, are not very pretty but everyone reacts differently so we'll just have to see......crossing everything that can be crossed. At least now we have a parking pass so it's only $2 instead of $15!!

Impossible to plan anything now. Golf goes in the bin with the tennis. Pretty much guaranteed that for two weeks out of every three she's going to feel pretty crappy.

Side benefits are my shopping and vacuming skills are going to improve.

It is what it is so one day at a time.

Does it glow in the dark

THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE !

July 6th. 43 degrees with the humidex outside! Well of course it wouldn't be inside would it......unless the AC quit. I wonder how big the unit is that cools the hospital? Hmmmm.
We went at a different time today, a little later in the day. A marked dearth of volunteer birdies, sitting on the line, in their green vests just itching to help. Must have been a tea break......grab a quick smoke......off prem of course.

So where are we? Rather where is Hil with me just sitting in the right hand seat helping the pilot so to speak ?
The next stage is a physical biopsy of surface lymph nodes in the inguinal area......medical term for crotch!! Takes about two weeks to organize then about another week to get the results from Sunnybrook. Then more blood work....."an armful" as Tony Hancock said.
After that it's chemo! A cocktail of CTV (whatever that is) plus Rituxan plus Pregnazone. This occurs once every three weeks for three cycles. More tests after this including further CT scans. If everything is OK they will do three more cycles then more tests including another bone marrow biopsy......Hil's delighted with that one! At least there are no more allergy shots in the forseeable future. The Pregnazone does the job.
Apparently we can expect the usual side effects of the chemo but I'm sure it'll be worth it. She really doesn't look forward to being a bald tennis player! Probably won't happen though. Her hair is too thick.

Down in the bowels of the hospital where I'm sure people would glow in the dark if the lights went out there is a sign on the wall:
"YOU ARE ON THIS FLOOR."
Well thanks for letting us know we didn't know that.

Three people sitting next to each other all talking on cell phones......hopefully not to each other. All three right under a large notice that reads: USE OF CELL PHONES IN THIS AREA IS PROHIBITED. Doncha just luv it!!

Women arrive looking dapper. The middle aged (in certain cases anyway) well supported by support hose, control tops, well wired bras. Then they change!! No more artificial support of any sort just the hospital gown. A sudden exercise in reality. One lady, wearing the grey/green, had also attempted to cover her legs with another gown which she had tied around her waist. Unfortunately the arms were dragging on the floor!! Use your imagination.

Hil misses the tennis, gets tired and has night sweats. Other than that....she's still Hilary. Life goes on. More swimming perhaps. Maybe she'll bike with me a bit. We golfed together the other day......her game is definitely improving.