Stars

All of us are in the gutter, some are just looking up at the stars. -
O. Wilde



Yes. I am here.
Looking up. promise.

Round Two has been better than Round One.
This is all we care about and are now focusing on at the moment.

IV fluids and zofran have been infused from Sunday and will be received through Sunday for two hours every morning. This is through a port access (at home) to maintain good hydration, blood flow, and avoid re-admittance back into the hospital. I am now found around day nine from chemo -- counts will begin to drop this week. As we head back into Upenn tomorrow morning for fluids, blood work, and a Lupron shot. To surpress menstrual cycles during treatment.

The Lupron shot is done during this process to avoid blood release during treatment which, in females could technically be a cause for concern since blood levels are liable to be low tomorrow. Women have this choice during ICE and transplant to avoid break-through bleeding and complications. Lupron has also been put through trials to determine if this shot can continue on a women's fertility during this cancer treatment. However, it is still in the early process of research.

The last few days I have been lost between different pain medications, IV poles, eating healthy, and, to put it bluntly cancer. Coincidentally, I had three different at home Nurses drop over materials, to hook up the IV's for morning infusions. I feel like sometimes, when I end up talking to these women... I see heroes.

Women who have worked in oncology and other medical areas, to fulfill such a a small but wonderful gesture. Giving ME fluids. To keep my body moving. I always listen to where they studied or, where their families were from, I want to know them. I want to know they know a part of me.

As you begin to battle through the trenches of your own cancer treatment. You slowly realize the difficult truth in connections you lose over time. But, in turn, those you gain from your journey and experience as well. As treatment becomes more isolated you appreciate these small interactions. It is no longer a nurse, who came to your house today for fluid. It is Galina, daughter of ten who supports four daughters and wants to make a difference in the world... Or Anna who just had to say goodbye to her sister who suffered from MS for years. And is now finally back to work.

Or is is them knowing me. A once was- third grade teacher...

Without them, I wouldn't be here,
looking up at the stars.

Without them. I wouldn't be here,
beating this cancer.

- B