Drip, drip

Today's the day--and as I type, (awkwardly, due to the IV in my left wrist) the bad-cell-fighting drugs are coursing through my system.

We're sitting in the chemo clinic at OHSU, which is a remarkably nice place. I have a recliner, a view south of the construction on the waterfront, and glimpses of the Willamette River, which is muddy now that the ridiculous snow has melted. It's a classic winter day here, where the sun breaks through and gives us rainbows and mist, then the dark clouds roll back in, open up and pour rain. Mark & I are into our third hour of chemo--one hour of hydration saline, another hour of the real juice, and another hour of saline--and it's sort of reminding me of being on a plane. I've been reading and doing crossword puzzles, Mark taps away at his computer and patiently manages my attempts to get his attention. Every once in a while, someone will bring us something to drink--but no peanuts, so Mark's gone downstairs to the cafe to get some real snacks.

One major difference from air travel is that here, you get free massages. A fabulous volunteer massage therapist named Mary stopped by a while ago and gave me a fabulous foot massage, and didn't even make any cracks about my gnarled old feet & sparkly green toenails. I'm waiting for the mud pack facial next, but I don't think my dreams will be fulfilled on that one.

Anyway, all this rhapsodizing is simply to say that we've gotten treatment started. I was zapped with radiation this morning, with Aretha Franklin singing along and a sort of random picture of Sponge Bob taped to the ceiling. I'll be getting low-dose chemo once a week for six weeks, and a daily zap (weekdays only, please) during that same time. Strange to say, but I'm looking forward to it. Action!

Hope that everyone has a happy new year--raise a glass to good health & making the most of every minute.
love,
MacBlaines