Back to School

On his third straight day of chemo, Andrew continues to feel great! We are so thankful.  But it's been a sobering day as the reality of the disease and the treatment set in.  I (CJ) went to "Chemo Class" this morning and spent 3 hours listening to all the potential side effects of chemo.  And while every case is different, the nurse would more often than not turn to me and say, "Now, with your husband's treatment [of 5 days of straight chemo], he is likely to have [fatigue, nausea, bone aches, you name it.]  I left feeling nauseous, dizzy and with a nasty headache!
Now, don't get me wrong, we are SO thankful for this class and for the nurse leading it.  I guess not every treatment center offers this?  The nurse did an excellent job of describing the details of AJ's treatment, including deciphering the cryptic instructions on all the pill bottles we now have. (Who knew that PO means "take orally"??) And she made me feel ok about feeling overwhelmed by it all. 
Of course I then had the rest of the day to process all of this. But as Andrew and I went over it all this evening, he took on the mantle of being overwhelmed.  It didn't help that I then went to a Christmas party and came home to find him on Google reading message boards where folks have posted about their experiences with chemo side effects!!!
And yet despite feeling overwhelmed, we are indeed thankful for many little things, mostly related to perfect timing.  A friend who ran errands for us, a ride to the hospital, a ride to a party, dinners that arrive hot, fruit arriving just in time for dinner, a perfect bottle of wine, and on the doorstep when I came home from class today: a selection of chemo appropriate treats in a big red basket! And this is just a sampling. Thanks to all of you for surprising us with your gifts of service, your actual gifts, your emails & calls & texts, and your prayers!
Here's to a good night's sleep!