Wow, it's been a while since I've posted. I'm afraid that after each chemo, I can't even bear to think about the experience; it makes me extremely nauseated. It's especially bad the week following treatment, but it lingers even into my "good week", so I've not felt up to blogging about it lately.

Still, I've had some gentle pushes and inquiries into how I'm doing from my wonderful friends, so I'm putting on my big girl panties and making an entry! *grin*

On December 29th I had my mid-point PET scan to see how I was responding to chemo and the results were positive. All the active nodes in my chest was gone and the neck area had quieted down quite a bit also. It wasn't totally clean, but was definitely a very positive step forward. I'm on track for two more treatments and then I'll have another PET scan around the third week in February. If that's clean, I may be done, but I may also be advised to continue for a few more treatments "just to make sure". We'll see. I'd really like this whole thing to be over and done with by my birthday! (3/30)

As for my response to the treatments themselves, the after effects are pretty much the same, every time. No accumulated effects so far. I just am very fatigued and borderline nauseous and apathetic for about a week and then I start to feel better. The treatment day itself is the worst day, as I've really gotten a nausea trigger. I always throw up at chemo now, regardless of what type of anti-nausea medication I take beforehand. Now I have them give me IV Ativan to knock me out during the pushes and drips...it helps.

*takes a deep breath to settle nausea* See? Even typing about this is making me sick. :(

On to other things!

I did get sick a couple of weeks ago. I guess during winter with very few white blood cells I wasn't going to get through unscathed. The cold wasn't too bad though, and despite my fears, acted as it always does and did not develop into anything severe. Still no fun, but I'm pretty much over it now. Certainly didn't stop my doctor from proceeding with my treatment on the 15th.

I finally did get to see Avatar and really enjoyed it. What a world! I also saw Sherlock Holmes and thought that was a total blast - I love Robert Downy, Jr.! ^_^

I am working on some art (which you can see a sneak of in my avi)...a kind of cyber medusa. I hope to have her finished this weekend. After that I do have a Valentine's Day piece sketched out. We'll see if I feel like working on her.

Hope everyone is doing well...sorry I haven't been as active about posting as I'd like to be. I'll get better, I promise! :)