"Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down." - Oprah Winfrey

It was really only a matter of time until an Oprah quote hit the blog...wasn't it??  I feel like another hurdle has been accomplished in this little journey of mine.  Today I made it past week one after the first chemo treatment.  It's not as if a medical professional told me this was a hurdle, but in my head I'm setting out one week stints.  Anyone can do anything for a week - right?  My understanding is that my blood cell count would be at its lowest over the next couple days from the treatment and I needed to be careful and monitor myself for bugs and fevers.  Today I wasn't feeling a whole lot different than any of the others.  My nausea has subsided for the most part but it does creep up on me.  I'm trying hard to eat healthy to give my body the nutrients it needs to fight bugs and stay strong but all I can get down some days are a piece of toast or a french fry.  But each day is a bit better.  I've never had heartburn in 37 years and now I get it after every food I eat.  The medication I take is helping with that though.   I was told the steroids might make me a bit edgy, which I'm pretty certain is the case and that my joints would be sore.  My ankles are very stiff and causing me some discomfort but that could be from lack of use as well..??   Overall, I would say week one after chemo was a success and something I can definitely do 7 more times if it means getting rid of this unwanted mass.

Today my son had the day off school so his fantastic teacher could enjoy a day to herself after spending extra time on parent-teacher-student conferences.  Our very bestest friend D.K said she would take the day off to help decorate the tree with the boys.  As much as I wanted to do that, all the bins seemed pretty overwhelming to my mental and physical state but needless to say, Deb is a trooper and got what we started, accomplished!  The boys helped in bits and pieces putting up the already multiple handmade decorations they've made as well as many of their dad's old Snoopy decorations.  They got quite a kick out of it.  Hot chocolate and cookies were made, stockings were hung, and nik naks were arranged accordingly.We kept the tree fairly simple, piling as many decorations as possible.  With the hands of a soon to be 3 year old near by,  my Martha Stewart tree is a few years away yet.   But I love it.  Deb got everything where I would normally have it without me having much energy to get it there myself.  She's the best - but everyone whose been apart of my life for 25 years knows that!!  Since Kane had been up at 5:45am ready to decorate, at 1pm, he and I headed for a nap while Deb and Lukas watched a movie.    I have to have naps to make it through the day but the problem is falling asleep.  I can't shut my brain off most of the time and my eyes flutter constantly creating a terrible distraction.   I knew today I had to have a rest though so I could attend my staff Christmas Party.  We were having a supper and curling night.  I was excited to see my friends.  When you cut a girl off cold turkey from a workplace of 50 (+350 kids) where she spends 10 hrs a day to a house of 1, it causes one to go a little stir crazy.  I needed to see my peeps!  It was so great to see them.  Lots of smiles and definitely the best turn out our school staff has had since I have been at that school!  We stayed for the meal and to watch a few rocks get thrown but my yawns were catching up with me.  The high lite of the night was seeing almost all of my colleagues wearing their pink touques and mitts to show me their support and it is something I will never forget. A little overwhelming for someone who doesn't like to be the center of attention to know that so many others, who also have many other challenges in their own lives, are thinking of me.  Each of them telling me they are behind me and that they are all on the bus to pick me up since, apparently, my limo has broken down.  How does one even begin to say thank you for that??