Chemo #3.... Three Down, One to Go!

Chemo #3 went well again yesterday.  Despite my stupid cold (which does seem nearly gone) all my blood cell counts were good.  My white cells were actually a little high... that Neulasta shot is really doing it's job!  I got another shot today.  My Hemoglobin (iron) was slightly low again, but not enough to delay treatment.  Mostly it felt good to get this one done and know that I only will have one more left!  Thank you to Juan and Megan for keeping me company!!  I felt pretty tired last night and also today.

My final treatment is scheduled for April 21st.  I have an appointment with Dr. Kuhn, my radiation oncologist, on April 23rd to get things rolling for radiation and will also have my "simulation" that day.  I think that is the day I get my tattoo(s).  I think I will be able to have my port removed shortly after the final chemo so that will be nice, too.  I am glad I had the port.  It does make the blood draws and infusions so very simple and I haven't been bothered by it much.  I won't really miss it though!  Claire colored in the next quarter of our pie chart.

I was so sad to learn from Claire when she got home from school yesterday that her music teacher at school was just diagnosed with breast cancer.  I've only briefly met this teacher once, but Claire really likes her and talks to her a lot.  When Claire told her about me, her teacher told her how she had two sisters who both had breast cancer but they were both healthy now.  I know Claire talks to her about what is going on at home and have been thankful this teacher is so kind.  And now we find out she has it.  It really sucks and I have been feeling so sad about it since I found out.

Here is a picture of Claire with her (nearly) bald mommy.  My head is really white!  She tells me every so often how pretty I look, but also how I shouldn't keep my hair quite this short once it starts growing back.  It's very sweet.  I'm pretty sure she's saying it more to convince herself than me.  Bryce now says to me, "Mommy... your hair is falling down."  It's part statement/part question the way he says it.  Then he usually wants to pat my head.