I did not see the puddle...

It's been a life very full of life these past few days.  Chemo session number two was this Friday past.  The session went as planned, with no complications, and Friday and Saturday were pretty good days for Mawg.  If only I could say the same for myself.  Saturday was the perfect storm for me, quite literally.  I had originally planned to take the early bus to work and make up some time.  Which meant waking up at 5:45 instead of 6:00.  I didn't get to bed till 4 so when it was time to get up and go I was not as motivated as I could have been and decided to ride the 6:25 instead of the 6:05.


HUGE mistake! What would normally have been this:

Was, withing minutes of me deciding to wait 20 minutes, all of a sudden THIS:

I had done this to myself but somehow knew that the world was going to catch the blame.  The wife and I kissed each other goodbye and with umbrella in hand off I went to work. 

"Only sprinkling a little!" I told myself and added a little skip to my step, "maybe this isn't going to be so awful..." I mused.  Again HUGE mistake, BIG...the skies opened up and the rains poured down with a five minute vengeance unseen yet this summer in my little dry corner of the world.  It was at that moment that I discovered there are apparently two types of umbrellas available these days.  There's the classic type that is designed to keep you dry when you are in the rain.  And then there is the model that I had.  The one with a built in irrigation system.  Great for helping with those days when you want to take a shower while being protected from the rain.  Yeah, I know doesn't make much sense to me either.  So here I stand at the bus stop, with my functionally challenged umbrella, waiting in the rain for the #90 Metro. 

I saw the Chevy truck coming down the hill.  I saw the wave and the smile from the driver.  I saw him change lanes to the one closest to the curb.  I did not see the puddle.  The large puddle that had collected in front of me.  He, on the other hand, saw the puddle and the guy standing perfectly within range of the wall of water that he followed as he veered perfectly into the small lake that had collected at the side of the street.  I was drenched! 

Luckily, I only live two blocks from the stop and was able to go home, dry myself and my uniform, and still made it to work only one minute late.  While waiting for the bus that eventually took me to the train, I collected and stashed a small pile of stones from golf ball size up to about the size of a baseball.  I will never forget his face, and I have impeccable aim.  That is all that needs to be said about that.
I made it through both Saturday and Sunday at work.  Both pretty busy days that wore me out, but nothing I couldn't handle.  I didn't let the jerk in the truck take away my good day thankfully. 
As far as Marguerite goes, Sunday was the first of three pretty bad days.   Her energy level was pretty much zero.  She could only muster enough get up and go to sit up for a half hour or so at a time.  So she slept most of the day.  Monday was more of that, plus she was sick all day.  Nothing tastes right, or to be more specific, she lost her sense of taste for a couple of days.  She couldn't eat anything without having to run to the bathroom within minutes.  I felt lost not being able to help her feel better, but I did all I could do make her as comfortable as possible.  Tempers flared a few times, but we didn't let it get out of control.  Tuesday was the worst of all days by far, but by Tuesday night she was feeling much much better.  Her finger tips have started peeling skin a little.  A couple of folks told me this was one of the side effects, so we aren't too worried.  Two weeks until her next session. 
I am currently applying for a second job.  It's tight around here.  Unbelievably tight.  I am not sure exactly how I am going to get to that job, but if I have to ride a bus and then bike the rest of the way so be it.  Prayers in that respect would be greatly appreciated. 
Mawg says to tell everyone thanks as always.  And we both wish you all much love and peace!

Today is day 13, and the hair started falling.

They told us that the chemo would cause Mawg's hair to fall out.  We were given a time frame of 7-14 days before we noticed anything.  Today is day 13, and the hair started falling.  We were on the back porch and she just happened to run her fingers through her hair while I was on the phone.  Looking down and finding a handful of hair was not expected.  It hit really hard.  I didn't really have any words at the moment, so I let her have her time.  After a few seconds or more of silence, I gave her my best Jerry wink and assured her that it would be okay.  She did as expected next and called her sister Elaine.  I don't mention her enough, and now is as good a time as any.  Elaine is Mawg's older sister.  She is the twin of Diane, the sister we lost to cancer a few short years ago, and the mother of Chrissy the niece we lost, also to cancer, in 2010.  Elaine is a integral part of team Kick Cancer's Ass around here.  She not only helps with transportation to and from appointments, but she is a huge part of Mawg's emotional support.  Whether it's breakfast at the casino, or dinner at Fergie's the time they spend together is priceless.  Thank you very much Elaine!! 

Now let's get back to the hair.   After calling Elaine and crying with her for a few minutes, she hung up and yelled for our son Art.  He had asked his mom if she would allow him to have the honor of giving her the buzz when it was time.  Well....it was time.  It took her about an hour total to work up the nerve to allow that first pass.  He was as gracious a son as there ever was.  Taking his time to gently take off the hair, and allowing her that time to slowly adjust to the fact it was happening.  I let him do about seventy-five percent of her hair, and then I took over.  I took advantage of the alone time to again let her know how beautiful she is and how much I love her.  I would have to say she took it like a trooper.  Of course there were more tears, and I am sure there are more still to come. 

We finished with the hair cut and I have got to give it her, she wears it well.  We have had a little bit of fun with now that the initial shock of the whole matter has worn off some.  There's the standard "Soitainly"..."Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk" references to Curly of the Three Stooges.  Thankfully she is a HUGE fan and really enjoyed that one.  A few more "slick" and "buzz" comments and the healing and the laughter both took over and let me tell you folks, we are going to be fine!! 

Second round of chemo is Friday next week.  Before too long we will talking about the last round.  It will be but a moment in the grand scheme of things.  I truly believe that time is irrelevant when you are partnered with your forever soul.  All of us have one.  I am fortunate enough to be one of the lucky people who has found mine. 

Thank you all once again for the love, prayers, and words of encouragement.  As always I wish you all much love and peace my friends.