So, she had her blood test on Friday (12/13/13) and the nurse said she has the healthiest blood of a woman without cancer. (If that's wrong, you know how to fix it now, ma.) Another small (huge) thing to be thankful for.
I got to see mom's Power Port on Sunday - okay, see where it is, anyway. It's really not that noticeable, and even the scar from putting it in isn't that noticeable. And she made me touch it. It's the oddest thing. I'm kind of fascinated by it. Boy has chemo come a long way, baby. Another small (huge) thing to be thankful for.
Mom went to her Look Good Feel Better class through the American Cancer Association last night and said it was good. She got some beauty products, and some hats - and it sounds like she met a couple of people and talked a bit. Which reminds me, I need to get that darn bag ordered/found for mom to start writing names on!
Talked to my aunt today about Christmas stuff - she must have been helping Gram with getting her shopping done. She said she's SO happy that mom is doing so well. Ditto that sentiment! She said "you're mom is really something." And that's really all she had to say to convey just how tight the bond between the two of them is - and what a relief it is that chemo isn't turning out to be what we all thought it was going to be right out of the gate. Thanks for being my mom's best friend and just being there for her, Nina. :)
So - Christmas is 8 days away. Mom has chemo #2 on December 23rd - and then that's (almost) half way through the 4 she has to have before surgery. Easy peasy, right? Let's hope so.
We are on hair watch right now. Day 14 is today - and it is customary to begin losing your hair between days 14 and 17 after chemo. But mom is already being such a rockstar, maybe she'll get to hang on to her hair. Or at least a little longer than most. Just in case she doesn't, on Sunday we ordered her some "gear" so she would be prepared in the event that she will be joining another group against her will, one that my brother belongs to - the chrome domers. :) She's not thrilled about it, and I'm sure she'll need some time to grieve that (temporary) loss when it happens. But, maybe it will grow in curly? Or a different color? It happens! And maybe it will grow in fast.
Vanity isn't normally something I would ask someone to pray for, but in this case, let's sidestep the "vanity" word, and pray for the ability to accept the physical appearance changes, for healing, for continued rockstar status with the second round of chemo, and for this treatment to do what it is meant to do - and a speedy recovery.
I wish I could take all of this for her - because I would in a heartbeat.