It is time to put on the hot pink boxing gloves (thank you Kerry Morrell:) and ring the bell, because the real fight started this morning.

 I was supposed to start my chemo last Thursday, but due to a mix up at the pharmacy, it was pushed back to today.  I was technically happy and sad that that happened, but either way it did.  So this morning I took my first 2000mg of chemo orally.  This evening I will have to take another 1500mg.  I continue this for 2 weeks and then get a weeks rest.  Then I get to start all over and do it again, and again, and again.  As long as my body will take the med, I will continue on the med.  If my body likes it, it has a great success rate in eating up the cancer.  There are some pretty nasty side effects (pretty sure there is not a chemo out there without one) but I am hopeful that the symptoms that I develop will be minimal.  My physician told me that she has been using this medication for a long time and has a lot of hope that it will do the trick. I was reading some blogs of people who took the med and there were actually multiple people who said when they went back for scans, the cancer was almost gone.  I am sure this is only possible with some divine intervention as well, but I’m working really hard on that one too. 

I feel I am about 90% healed from surgery and have even attempted working a little (very little) the past few weeks.  It was good to have a “Normal” day after the month I have had–but it is exhausting.  It is amazing to me that a few hours of work will knock me down for an afternoon nap.  Isn’t that sad??  My hope is that the chemo is not too brutal and I can continue to get my strength and get back to my “normal” life.  Ironically, I know it will never be “normal” again, but it is what God has given me and I am SOOOOOO thankful for everyday. 

Thank you again for all the prayers, well wishes, cards and gifts.  If there is one positive that comes out of having cancer it is that teaches you how to be so much more appreciative of all the amazing friends and family that I have.  Encouraging words, prayers and general love that I have received is truly overwhelming.   I think I mentioned that in the last blog–but it REALLY is!!  You have no idea how a really sad day can flip to a good one just from kind words and prayers.

Thank you all.  I will post in a few days and let you know how I am feeling.  Kiss your kids, cherish your spouse and enjoy the day.  Love to you all.