Chemo #7 - The LAST ONE!!!!!

October 16, 2008, I received my 7th chemo (4th one with the red stuff). Thank God this was my LAST ONE!!!!! WOO HOO!!! Unfortunately, it was far from fun. This one packed a big bang. I started getting nauseous from the moment I sat down. Perhaps it was in the air? After all, the suite next door was remodeling. And with my sense of smell still on the blink, I didn't smell any fumes, but I surely felt it in the pit of my stomach. But, I was not alone. Dorothy, my chemo buddy, said she felt the same way. That should have been my cue to run, but I sat there, and got it over with. For the most part, I had stayed green in the face for the next four days!!! Ughhhhhh! Oh, what a feeling!!! On Monday, I was able to eat a little, but it really hurt. My stomach was not used to having food in it anymore. Can you imagine that!?!??! Good thing it was my last and final chemo, so I knew there was a light at the end of the porcelain tunnel. Thank you for all those praying for me during those moments. I couldn't have done it without God on my side. He was my strength, my all. My poor family just watched me helplessly, but I'm so thankful they were there for support. Stevie said he was helping me hold up my invisible hair! ha ha ha


Jessie-Lin giving me my last three tubes of this red liquid poison. Hopefully, it's doing it's job to kill those cancer cells!!! It sure did kill my taste buds and my meals.


Dorothy, Tracey, and myself are comforting one another. Doesn't Tracey and I look cute with our matching round heads?!?!?!? I'm looking forward to seeing her in my Tuesday night support group with The Wellness Community. We just have so many "issues", ya know?!?!?


***IMPORTANT MESSAGE*** Please read:
Some of you may have already heard me say this, but I think it's important enough to enter it on my blog... just in case I've missed a few ears in these past few months. This sign, or something simular to this, is posted in every restroom in the MRI and cancer treatment centers. It caused me to think how toxic we patients must be. Could we be causing someone serious harm, if we forget to flush twice?!?!? WARNING!!! When you go into ANY public restroom, FLUSH BEFORE USING!!! You can be sitting down after a chemo patient, or worse, after someone who is radioactive (which can cause sterility in children, especially in girls!!!) So remember, for your health and the health of your loved ones, FLUSH BEFORE USING PUBLIC TOILETS!!!!! Why take the chance, right?


After chemo, Bobbie and I ran into this cute place in Redondo Beach. Unfortunately, it was closed!!! The nerve, huh??? I was so bummed. Gelato, gourmet crepes, and coffee are right up my alley! The cute chubby penguin was a bonus. (Kathy, this is for you!)


We ended eating a great relaxing lunch at Joe's Crab Shack in Redondo Beach. This was the funniest sign to keep the parents under control!!! Hilarious, huh? Unfortunately, the sign worked, because I couldn't find a baby to purchase at bargain prices!!! ;-) hee hee hee


Bobbie and I enjoyed our lunch in the warm afternoon sun. It was just a bit bright without my sunglasses. Little did I know, my suffering was just around the corner...


Dana, Leslie, and I got together for breakfast on Tuesday morning. It was my first real meal in days! It helped having such wonderful company too! Now, all three of us has retired from AT&T... hip hip hurray!!! Congratulations Ladies of Leisure!!! We can run around the South Bay, looking for those great shopping deals! There's sheer strength in numbers! Marukai, Costco... here we come!!!

Finishing chemo was a milestone for me. It was so unpredictable, in so many ways. Hank decided that we needed to "celebrate". So off we went to Las Vegas... just the two of us... without kids... and we headed straight for the buffets!!! I really don't need to make up for lost meals, but it sure was fun trying!!! Oh boy, the joys of eating again!!! ;8] Oink oink oink!

While we were in Vegas, we went to a show called, "Tony n' Tina's Wedding". It's an interactive show, where we participated as guests of this make believe wedding. Our table had a blast, as we all got into character as friends and family of the bride and groom. Hank and I enjoyed the Italian buffet, champagne, and wedding cake too! The oinking continues!!! ;8]

On our way home from Las Vegas, we went to the cemetery to visit my Dad's grave site. It would have been his 87th birthday today. It was only a month since he passed away, but it feels like such a long time ago. I really miss him. Happy Birthday Gung Gung! We love you!!!