Start of Cycle 2

Cancer has taught me one very important lesson. Take one day at a time. Joe came home Thursday afternoon after a week in the hospital. By that time Joe's hair had started to fall out. He liked pulling it out (not cool). On Saturday night, while watching the Bruins crush the Canadians, Joe took off his LIVESTRONG hat to scratch is head. WOW... had his hair fallen out. It was so splotchy, I had to run to get my camera so he could see it. All I could do was laugh... what else is there to do right. A couple of hours later, Steve the barber came over to finally shave it all off. It was really difficult for me to watch him go through that. I do not know if it is a sensitive subject for me because of my mom, but it made my stomach drop. I held back the tears for the time being but eventually broke down.

On Sunday, Bill put together a BBQ at my house and all of Joe's friends came. It was amazing to see him function like he had not been in the hospital all week. It was another time when Joe could forget he was sick and be a normal person. He even drank some beer! Thank you to everyone who showed up. It was great seeing all of you. You don't know how much it meant to take a break from cancer for a little bit. Of course everyone I invited came hungover and could barely function! Hahah TYPICAL!

Monday was the official start of cycle two. It was also marathon Monday, and it sure felt like a marathon . Joe and I arrived at Dana Farber at 8:30 and did not leave until 5. Monday was packed with appointments. First, he had to get blood drawn. Second, he had to perform the Pulmonary Function Test (located in the Lance Armstrong Survival Clinic) to see how the Bleomycin was affecting his lungs. After the PFT, Dave, Jeanne, and Danny met us for the oncology appointment. Joe's blood counts were back to normal. However, because his counts dipped so low he would be receiving a neulasta shot, which would boost his blood counts for this next cycle. Hopefully, this shot keeps Joe out of the hospital! The oncologist also told us that the Bleomycin had started to affect Joe's lungs but not enough to stop giving him the drug. However, they would be watching that more carefully. After, meeting with the oncologists, we headed down to the infusion center for Joe's chemo. His nurse Suzanne was not surprised that Joe got omitted on Monday. She had warned him that he would make at least one trip to the hospital. Suz is always right!

This week has flown by already. Joe's infusions have been early in the morning so he has been done by 1 everyday. It makes the day go by much quicker. I can't believe tomorrow is Friday and the first week of cycle 2 is completed.