Christmas Eve, Eve

     Working our way through the beltway never seemed cathartic; the anxiety of going to treatment is not a soothing one, but traveling with less than two hours of sleep just seemed off even by our crazy standards.  This was my last night shift before the holidays and Amy also stayed up most of the night, unable to get any restful sleep with the constant thought of more chemo looming in her head.  The cold and rain only adding to this mornings dilemma.  We arrived safely at the Mays center, once again, only to be told we were at the wrong building.  This place is religious about taking their holidays off.  We took the u-turn of shame out of the parking lot and traveled a couple blocks back to the older center, the one we affectionately call "Big Brother." 
     We were informed that they were only running one hour behind...I will never miss this place.  After being called back, we lucked out and scored a choice room. One next to the restroom, next to the nurses station, big enough to have a regular size bed and recliner, and our nurse was in a great mood.  Our standards on what's a great day have changed drastically over that last couple of months.  By cancer standards, we're on track to a great day. 


Amy - 8th round chemo

      My pink warrior's strategy for her 8th round was to come in completely tore down and try to pass out.  I was already prepared for that plan and had acquired a blanket of my own.  So with the pre-meds started, I turned off all of the lights and she pulled the sheet over her eyes.  If I could have been granted a Christmas wish, sans no cancer, finding a cure for cancer, or winning the lotto, it would have been to get through this treatment without any pain.  My wife went into a deep sleep and only moved once or twice.  The nurse came in on schedule and would start and stop the meds with the port already connected and lined up.  Amy never heard her come and go, so when the alarm was sounding, she thought it was for the pre-meds completion.  She wasn't sure if she was still foggy from sleeping or if she really was done when I told her that is was after noon and we were finished.  She had slept throught the entire treatment and was ready leave.  Finally, something went our way.
     My baby was up, finished, and ready to eat.  While we were talking about being too tired to make it back to our part of town without stopping somewhere our nurse informed us that we were close to the Rice Village.  When our oldest son was very young, we used to go Main Street Theater and see the kid shows, shop, and eat great Italian food.  Parking is limited, but there's definitely no shortage of great Italian restaurants in this area.  On the corner of Times Blvd is the little place called Gugliani's Italian Cafe.  Their motto on the back of their shirts reads, "Don't eat until your full, eat until you're tired."  This is our kind of place!

     So with the chemo deeds done and our bellies full of Italian goodness, we journeyed home.  Our plan was to hug the kiddies before they took off into the neighborhood and we retreated into our regimen of recovery.  Tomorrow will be Christmas Eve and the spirit of Santa will hopefully fill our childrens hearts to content and maybe, just maybe, give my little Angel a moment where she can forget all about this not so wonderful place called Cancerland.