On Wednesday I got my port placed in my chest in my fight against Non-Hodgkin
Lymphoma. Today I begin the first of six chemotherapy treatments.  My treatments
will be every 3 weeks for the next 18 weeks.  I have the end of February circled
on my 2013 calendar as a time of new found freedom and excellent health.

In the meantime, however, I am incredibly scared and anxious. 

Chemotherapy has pages and pages of unwanted side effects.  My particular
chemical cocktail is known as  R-CHOP.  Sounds manly and gruff.  But in my fight
against cancer, I don't necessarily want unicorns and butterflies.  I want
something that kicks butt...even if it is my own, and may make me very sick in
the process.  If that's what it takes...bring it on!

When I heard about the possible hair loss...honestly, my first reaction was
not about the hair on my head...but the errant hairs on my chin!  I would love
for those to go away. My friend, Ellen, researched it for me...turns out the
unwanted facial hairs can fall out during chemo...but can return...downy soft,
when the treatment is over.  Great.  I could be sporting a beard like the
Travelocity gnome!

And then the nausea and vomiting.  I'm the kind of person who can turn
green just rocking my car out of a snow bank.  Actually, just thinking about it
can make me queasy.  Gotta admit this surprised me a bit...but
when I mentioned to various people about dreading the nausea and vomiting...I
was amazed at the number of the most unlikely people willing to score some
"medical" marijuana for me!  Really.  Who knew?

Let me just say this about all the people who want to help me in all kinds of
ways.  Friends and complete strangers alike.  I am awed  by your generosity.  I
simply can't believe the magnitude of your altruistic spirit.  You have no idea
how it has lifted my soul in ways I could never have imagined. 

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me!  MB