"With arms outstretched I thank. With heart beating gratefully I love. With body in health I jump for joy. With spirit full I live." ~Terri Guillemets

I'm into day 12 after first Chemo treatment and I'm happy to say I'm feeling really - quite well.  I am so thankful but fearing this is the calm before the storm..?? I had terrible heartburn up until 2 days ago.  I was ready to put a call in for some medication but it would appear it is mostly gone - for now.  I did wake up a few days ago with a  terrible pain in my left achilles tendon that stretched through my heel and foot. I have had a past injury to this area and still have a lot of swelling in my calf after long days without sitting down.   I have self diagnosed this to be a weakened area that must be effected from chemo drugs.  My friend has shared an ankle brace with magnets in it that is helping allot with the pain.  The second I take the brace off the pain pierces through my foot, so needless to say - I am keeping the brace on.  I will talk to my doctor about it next week.  I am hoping to attend some yoga classes with a friend but not sure if its good for this affected area or not??  Hoping maybe some physio will help it or maybe might need some pain medication for it.

I have gotten out a couple days to do some Christmas shopping and to buy a few treats for myself.  Retail therapy is one of the best ways to lift my mood.  I don't need to buy anything, looking at stuff with a coffee in my hand is one of my greatest pleasures.  A perk right now, is there are a few things that need to be bought for under the tree, and would like it done by my next treatment, so I've given myself the go ahead to spend,  spend, spend! 

I got the chance to head back to school for a few hours for my teams volleyball wind up.  So great to see my kids.  I feel horrible how quick I had to leave them. We had such a good start, and I had just moved into my new classroom ready to team teach with my work husband, J.W.... darn it.  And to think I should probably head back and pack up my stuff so someone new can do their own thing.... I spent hours and hours this summer setting it up so I could retire from that room....darn it, darn it, darn it!!!

I am overwhelmed at the messages and gifts friends and family have been sending.  Lasagnas, soups, spaghetti, frozen meals, cookies, muffins, care packages, pyjamas, wine, wigs, books, magazines, jewellery, bubble bath, flowers, chocolate and beautiful cards with notes of encouragement and well wishes. I feel so spoiled.  I can't say thank you enough for all the support.