10/28/24

Today I had a heart ultrasound to make sure my heart is strong enough for chemo. Thursday is the big day. I’d love to hear from others about the best things to bring to chemo. Snacks? A tablet? I’ll probably bring my laptop to work a little bit and start preparing for parent teacher conferences in a week. Only teachers know the hours of prep that takes.

I’ve been told I’ll only have 2-3 more weeks with my hair. It’s hard to think about, so I’m trying not to dwell on it. I have a feeling I’ll be having lots of conversations about hair with C. I know she will have a lot of questions, and my hope is to put her at ease and not scare her. I’m afraid I’ll be too scared to look at myself without hair, so I know it’ll be so hard for the kids.

To celebrate the last few weeks with my own hair, we did a family fall photo shoot yesterday. The kids did amazing and the weather was perfect. I can’t wait to share photos as soon as they are back. I think it’s important we document this moment; plus it’s our last photo shoot as a family of 4.

Today I made so many appointments- to meet with my surgeon again, to get a consult with plastics for reconstruction after surgery, and genetics testing to determine what genes I have that could have possibly brought this cancer about.

Please pray for my first chemo session on Thursday. The research I’ve done says most people feel worse on days 3 and 4 after chemo, so I’m hoping to work Friday. It’s so hard to plan, essentially impossible, which is frustrating for a planner like me. I just have to wait and see how my body reacts.

Of course we’re sad and frustrated, but we continue to take it one day at a time. We pray that God has got this, and that these trials will bring joy on the other side.

Until then, I’m finding joy in the smallest things: H’s incredible laugh, C’s smartness and helpfulness, a husband who makes me laugh despite our situation, the gorgeous fall colors, a perfect cup of coffee, and finding out we have so many people supporting us. I’m just blown away. I have so much to grateful for.

Thanks for hanging in there with us!