Chemo Round 7

Today was a momentous one for me -- my last round of chemo before my surgery. As you can guess, I woke up charged and ready for the day, anticipating a great time at Norris and feeling strong and ready for one more dose of those cancer-killing meds. I was ready to give cancer one last jaw-shattering upper cut.

Once I got to Norris (after blasting "All The Above" in the car), I went straight to the Blood Draw place and waited to have my name called. My least favorite blood drawer was there, and I decided to roll the dice and not request another nurse to do the deed. If I got that blood drawer, so be it. If she found my vein a little later than the more experienced drawers, so be it. If it hurt a little (or a lot) more than it would have with the others, so be it. I call the process of not speaking up and requesting someone in particular to take my blood "rolling the dice" and whenever I see this young nurse in the blood draw area, I start blowing on fake dice and then tossing the fake dice down a fake craps table. 

So I rolled the dice this morning. I got my least favorite blood drawer...and she did a great job! Totally professional, found the vein immediately, and I didn't feel a hint of pain. It was a little going away present.

I had a great time with Taline and Dr. Lenz, who both cracked me up with some hilarious and irreverent jokes. I'm going to have to call them when I'm in the hospital to get a bit of levity -- Sugarbaker does not seem like a big jokester (but I'm not giving up on him yet). Taline also asked me if there was anything wrong with me because my blood work looked fantastic. Between Taline praising my blood and Ilse telling me I'm made of steel, I'm starting to feel pretty impressed with my body these days.

The chemo itself went great. I got my favorite nurse (who finally agreed to take a picture with me!), one of my dearest friends Jesse surprised me with a visit (he lives in San Francisco, but was in L.A. just for the morning for business), and I got to meet my friend Caitlin's dad who is also a colon cancer warrior.

Followed up my chemo with some relaxing at home, then a killer legs workout at the gym, just to show the cancer who's boss. Got my grub on post-workout with my parents, Will, Aymee, and Erin at Cru, the raw, organic, vegan restaurant I tried the other night. SO GOOD.

This last round of chemo was memorable and entertaining. I found it painless, easy, and fun. I give major props to exercise and acupuncture for helping me manage (more than manage, really) the few side effects I've experienced. I give major props to Dr. Lenz and his whole crew for being not just brilliant and professional, but caring, funny, and kind. And I give major props to my three nurses (Will, my mom, and my dad) for supporting me in every way, day in and day out, throughout the entire process.

Who could say with deep sincerity that chemo has been nothing short of wonderful? I can. And that makes me a lucky girl.