MEDICAL UPDATE #5

Sooo—this post was penned before Thanksgiving when celebrating with my family preoccupied so much of my time that publishing this train of thought fell right out of my mind.

 After speaking with the oncologist, here is my treatment plan.  (Each time we open a new door, a surprise awaits on the other side.). On Friday, after enjoying a wonderful day of Thanksgiving with my family, I’ll have the port inserted in readiness to accept a chemo drip, which will be administered, beginning on Monday, in-patient for five days.

In-patient, why?  Because the intensity of continuous dosage 24/7 for five days straight will need monitoring to make certain of my kidney and liver function withstanding the cocktail of medications, which will be shaken, not stirred.  After five days of hospitalization, I’ll be home for three weeks before returning to the hospital to absorb another in-house, five-day round.  (First thing I did after listening to everything the oncologist prepared us to expect was to order a baseball cap with dark brown synthetic hair attached from Amazon.  (My dear friend had me laughing while I watched her tie shimmers into the wig, which is attached to the cap.)

As to radiation and surgery, we’ve not yet received word concerning what to expect after two rounds of chemo (except for the possibility that a third round may be necessary—let’s hope not ...).

Thank goodness for the timing of Thanksgiving offering my spirit reason to muse over so much to feel thankful for!😊  Barry, Marie, Tony and Ray landed safely and since Ravi’s 5th b/d fell on Nov. 26th, Will and I partied at dinner with Celina, Steven, Ravi, David and Nani Lupe before making the airport run to pick up Barry’s crew, two days before holiday festivities commence, inspiring contagious smiles to dance forth connecting our hearts throughout the week, culminating with Ravi’s dinosaur themed b/d party on Saturday.🎂🥰

After our first ‘group’ sleepover’, we planned to take
our three munchkins to Target, where each one would choose a gift to bring to the local fire station where Toys For Tots are collected.  It’s become our annual tradition to enjoy ‘the gift of giving’ during the holidays with our grandchildren, who surprise the firemen with a chocolate cake that expresses this sentiment in icing on the top: Thank you for keeping us safe throughout the year.

And with so much to look forward to and feel grateful for, imagine my spirit smiling while reflecting over my good fortune to enjoy every happy plan that lies immediately ahead with treasured family and friends.  As to our Thanksgiving feast, the turkey flew in all tressed up, fully dressed and hot to trot from AJ’s market, while favorite recipes, placed on the kitchen counter with care, await preparation in the hands of a trio of chefs, all of whom were homegrown😊

Will joins me in sending you our best wishes for a happy, healthy Thanksgiving, leading into a holiday season celebrated with loved ones from near and far💃🏻🕺🏼
 Love you!
❤️🌈🌻Annie