happy birthday, have some chemo

Today was my first Chemo treatment.  

I should probably update you on the egg retrieval first though.  It went really well.  It was semi-painful, even under the loopy drugs, but they said it was very successful.  Out of the 13 eggs they retrieved, we've got 11 future Gootes frozen in the lab at The Fertility Center.  They said that is really good.  Hopefully we won't have to use all of them, but let's just say we may have a reality show in our future (kidding...).   I'm still feeling pretty crampy/crappy from that, we're really hoping the swelling goes down in the next few days so I can feel like a normal human being again.  Although they say in about 5 days the chemo will hit me so that will probably be perfect timing, and my 27th birthday.  Ha.  Speaking of Chemo....

My dad, Nick, and I got there about 12:30 today, got some bloodwork, and waited in the outside waiting room for about 45 minutes.  They called me back to my little area (a big comfy-ish chair, a tv, a few extra chairs) where we waited a little while longer.  It kind of hit me sitting back there, I just could not hold back the tears.  I cried for a little while until my nurse came over to talk to me.  Holding back sobs is never cute, but she seemed really understanding.  My doctor stopped by to check in, and we were finally rolling by 2pm.  Four long hours later we were able to leave.  I had to have lots of saline and anti-nausea medication before they could even start the chemo.  We were the last ones there tonight.  I was definitely the youngest one there, it's so crazy seeing bald people, people with scarves, people who bring coolers of food because it obviously wasn't their first time (rookie mistake -- next time bring snacks).  

So I feel pretty good.  I haven't had any "chemo" side effects yet.  I kind of feel like I've been punched in the stomach, with the remaining effects of the hormones and the anti-nausea drugs.  It will be so nice to feel normal again.  

Elise had a great day though.  Auntie Lauren and Grandma kept her busy all day.  She had so much fun.  If she can't be with Mommy & Daddy she definitely has the next best thing.  I don't know what I'd do without you guys, Dad, Mom, Lauren & Aubrey.  I love you.  And Nick - he sat with me the whole long boring 4 hours at chemo today.  Love him.   Apparently chemo makes me all lovey-dovey.  Sorry.   So that's the scoop for now.  No pictures tonight - I'm too exhausted. 

Sunday

A little update :  The egg retrieval scheduled for today was moved to tomorrow.  Apparently my eggs looked ripe for the harvest on Monday instead of Sunday.  It's okay,  I'm just super uncomfortable at this point.  I look and feel 5 months pregnant, but I guess that should be expected when your ovaries are the size of baseballs.   I could barely buckle my sandals today.   My wonderful sister-in-law Sarah the RN came over last night to administer the last shot I needed:  a really fun one right in the booty.   Definitely wanted someone else to do that one.   Luckily I was prescribed a Valium to take tonight, as well as one tomorrow morning.  I guess they want me pretty relaxed.  Wondering if I should set aside the Vicodin & Ambien tonight?   Haha, kidding, kidding.  I sound like quite the druggie lately.  Chemo is still scheduled to start on Tuesday.

Elise had fun at Great Grandma's for lunch today.  We had the best beef roast, mashed potatoes, and green beans for lunch.  With ice cream and hot fudge for dessert, of course.  We have had the same meal there every Sunday since forever, and it's always so so good. 

Elise waving at Grandpa...

This is Elise's kissing face.

Also - we were watching some coverage on the anniversary of 9/11 this morning.  Unbelievable.  I can still remember sitting in 2nd hour study hall at CCHS and watching news coverage the rest of the day.  I feel like it's just as shocking at 26 than it was at 16.  Where were you?

the view from here.

Not too shabby.  You know it's fall when the lake steams up in the mornings. 

Another one from just right now.  My mom kept saying "you have to come look at this!"  You never get sick of this view. 

Elise and I played outside for awhile this afternoon. 

"Ooh! A flower!  I think I'll eat it."

I got my hair cut today.  Thanks to Deb Eisma (the nicest human being in the world), I have a new, short, little haircut.  Chances pretty good that it will fall out, or at least thin like crazy about two weeks after I start chemo.   Chemo countdown:  T minus 6 days.

Elise has some cute little baby curls.   Actually she has a mullet.  But it's red and curly so it's awesome.

This is what most of my pictures looked like from today.  Elise running away from me and towards the lake.

I'm in the homestretch of the fertility treatments.  It's rough.  I have to give myself three shots a day and they make me feel, well...blech.  That's about the best word to describe it.   Just yucky.  And tired.  I have to go in to the office every other day for bloodwork and an ultrasound.  Hopefully we will be done with all that crazy business on Friday, they'll do the retrieval on Sunday, I'll have a day off, and then chemo will start Tuesday.  We are just so ready to start so we can be that much closer to being done.  If everything goes on schedule, my last chemo treatment will be February 14.  It can't come soon enough!

Also, I want to thank everyone again for all the thoughtful cards and calls.  Honestly, I don't think a day has passed where we haven't gotten something in the mail.  Thank you so, so, so much.