Home

On a beautiful Colorado Sunday, I am finally home. Felt very emotional getting into the car, riding home looking at the sites. Then when my friend Bob across the street shouted welcome home as I walked into the door, emotional again. There was honestly a point in time the last two weeks that I never thought that this day would be here. But it is and I thank God for it. Not all is peachy just yet. They pulled my right chest tube out of me yesterday and put a humongous bandage over it. Even though stitched up, there is so much pressure in my lung cavity that I can occasionally feel it leak out of the stitches. So we have had to change the dressing often. It actually is kind of working like the faucet I wanted installed but with less plumbing involved. Once it finally closes, my cavity will fill and I will have to have a drain (done professionally of course!). I just realize this might all sound kind of gross, so I apologize. I am trying not to overexert, laugh to much, or cough and sneeze as this causes me to "squirt" out my side. My back hurts a little as the fluid is settling back into the cavity but at least I can breathe while I sit and write, read, watch tv for now.
My third chemo is tomorrow at the actual Dr.'s office. Three times a week, four weeks then we will see where I am.
I have been on quite the roller coaster ride of emotion for the past two weeks. But I am now a 7 day cancer survivor, and so are you! One nurse described it as being accepted to an exclusive club that I did not want to join. Another said we are all dealt a hand from a deck of cards, and instead of coming up aces, I got the jokers. All wild and crazy. When I was on the Oncology unit, I saw a framed signed book and jersey from Lance Armstrong. What an amazing story he has. I thought I should not complain about my issues when he and countless others have gone through far worse. But sometimes I could barely hang on to myself, it was hard to think I have the same chance to make a recovery like others with BCell follicular lymphoma. My mental status didn't allow me to see past the moment. Then it would clear. The last few nights have been the roughest, not much sleep yet not really tired. Weird.
Bev has worked so hard to keep me going, and now at home she even has to change my dressing. Please tell her happy birthday on Monday 3/16. We were supposed to be at Disneyland in California for her birthday. Instead she has to take me to my appointment and then go to work to catch up.
I want to again thank each and everyone of you for your caring and prayers. This is truly what got me to this point. I am forever a different person now than two weeks ago, as are you. Such is life, always changing yet always the same. Live life to the fullest each moment you can, and hug or tell someone you love them today!