Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Toxic Cocktails - Act Two.

You read, you talk to survivors, you ask questions.

Chemotherapy has that effect on people. It definitely did us. You hear of horrific consequences, of hair loss, weight loss ... you know the drill. You've heard it, too, right?

What we weren't prepared for in the first chemo session was ... boredom. That's right. We sat through the chemo all day long, waiting. Intermittently checking the relentless dripping in the little round vial, we did our best to distract ourselves. Then suddenly, it was over.

The nurse unplugged the IV and wished us well.

We gathered our stuff and shuffled out in a sort of daze. Was it really that simple? We went home in the almost certain knowledge that the pleasant doldrum wasn't going to last.

Reminds me of the time I thought our son Will had swallowed a partial bottle of Tylenol when he was about four. Following poison control instructions, I gave him the Syrup of Ipecac chaser. He downed it with an appreciative smile and turned to leave the bathroom without a second thought, blissfully unaware the curtain was about to open on act two.

The curtain parted for us Saturday afternoon.

Laura went fishing in the morning, meeting my sister Beth on Merritt Island, while I went to enjoy a ride on my motorcycle. She came home in the early afternoon, low on energy, and was soon napping.

Now it's Tuesday. Laura was able to work a half day after missing the whole day yesterday.

Bouncing back? We can only hope.

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