4/12 - Days 3&4, Cycle 2: Chemo

The last couple of days were good for Kristine, at least as chemotherapy days go. Kristine's fluid retention levels remained low with the help of the diuretic she's taking. Her energy, although diminished, is healthy. Her appetite is sporadic -- things like oranges and smoothies that she would eat when nothing else sounded good have grown insipid from repetition. Overall though her health is as expected given all the medication she has absorbed.

As it seems for most days, the last couple have not come without their set of challenges. On Wednesday night we came back from the treatment center after another long day, started Kristine on her home intravenous medication and hydration fluids, and started watching the results portion of American Idol. (I am particularly engrossed in this season having taken part in an office pool where, I might add, I've consistently been among the top 4 out of around 50 participants. Sad I know, but it's one of my few guilty pleasures these days and serves as an excellent distraction.) In the middle of the show the power went out in our surrounding area and we were left in the dark for the rest of the night. No electricity meant no computer, hence no blog post.

Thursday was emotional for Kristine as well as her support team. Connie (Kristine's mom) will be leaving on Saturday and that reality has been difficult for Kristine. Mrs. Becker has been an enormously indispensable asset over the past month. Kristine and I could not have held things together as well as we have without her help. It will, however, be good for her to rejuvenate and get some semblance of her life back, even if it is just for a couple of weeks. (Lucas especially will miss the challenge of trying to steal her knitting yarn.) Emotions ran high into the night. Although Connie's impending departure was the catalyst for the day's emotions it seemed that even the smallest gesture of love or sympathy was met with tears.

For today, Friday, we are preparing to shave Kristine's remaining hair. The special voting blog post to determine the most popular head treatment will likely be installed in the next few days. As for my standing in the American Idol pool, I moved up the 3rd place after choosing the bottom three and the loser correctly (I'm sure you were itching to know).