Wednesday, December 27, 2006

The Halfway Mark

First of all, I'm sorry so much time has passed since my last update. Such is the nature of this beast.
Yesterday's chemo session marked the halfway point for Anna's treatments. This is particularly huge for us, as the drug they will be switching her to is not nausea-inducing like the drugs she's been on. Barring any out-of-the-ordinary circumstances this week or next, Anna will not have thrown up once during chemo. To us that means she's not only endured the treatments like a warrior thus far, but also looked cancer and chemo in the face and laughed. Sometimes it seems to me that nothing can get Anna down. She truly is my hero (sorry, Willie Nelson).
As for the drug they will administer for the final two months, the side-effects can be severe body pain and loss of feeling/possible nerve damage, typically in the fingertips and toes. We're pretty sure Anna will shrug this off too.
Her hair is already coming back. Tiny little blonde hairs poking up all over her perfectly shaped noggin. I'll tell you-- she looks incredible no matter what she does to her hair. Even as bald as Mr. Clean. She could never do radio. She doesn't have the face for it.
Although there's nothing quite like returning to chemo the day after Christmas, our holiday was very nice. Anna's father, stepmother, stepbrother, and grandfather arrived the week prior from South Carolina. It was pretty cool, given that her grandfather ("Pop") had only flown twice since WWII. It was neat to see four generations of her family in the same room. My father and stepmother visited too. It was nice to visit with them-- we always have a great time. They brought a hilarious toy Lone Ranger horse that inexplicably spooked the baby-- He likes it now, but only when it's not making noise. Strange boy. He's terrified of some rubber clown fish bathtub toys he received as well. TERRIFIED. He actually looks over his shoulder for them when in the bath. One can only assume he was a clown fish in a past life.
My mom, stepfather, and brother visited on Christmas Eve, braving the snowy passes. We had a great time, opened presents, and gorged ourselves over lunch at my favorite restaurant (no coincidence that it is filled with plasma screens televising sporting events). Christmas day was relaxing-- just Anna, her sister, the baby, and I. A good day.
I'll update as soon as I can to inform about the new treatment she will begin in two weeks. However, I doubt I'll be able to write much more than "it doesn't seem to affect Anna." I like that.