Last Day of Chemo for this Cycle

Carlene was finally back to almost normal today. After a week (the longest she has ever gone) she finally had the energy to check her email and make a few phone calls=) I know it was difficult during this first week of chemo, but we really appreciate that you all relied on this blog for info and did not call. Having the quiet time was much needed, plus cell phones are not allowed in the hospital rooms so calls had to be made in the hallway. This was practically impossible because Carlene would not let me leave her side...even time to use the restroom was difficult to find when she was awake.

Today was a quick trip as this chemo drug was only an IV push and she did not have to have IV hydration with it. Her blood counts were still good today, however, they may drop over the weekend so she will need to take precautions and be a "germ-a-phobic". A nurse will come to the house on Monday to do another draw and re-check her counts. Her next chemo is set for April 20th.

Since my birthday is tomorrow, John decided we needed a get-away...and he was RIGHT! We booked one of the free rooms he has earned with all of his hotel stays with work these past few months. It is a gorgeous room on the Oxnard beach (where we got married 10 years ago=). Of course with the free room we can enjoy some luxury and not a Motel 6 or Travelodge hotel! We have not stayed here since our wedding as the prices sky rocketed and we could never afford it. We enjoyed a relaxing drive up PCH from the hospital and had one of the best lunches ever at the Malibu Pier. Upon check in we discovered that our room one that we have always dreamed of staying in...patio opens to the beach with the most fabulous view...our only regret is that it is only for 1 night, but I am thankful for the time to get away after this week and relax. Carlene and I plan on sunbathing tomorrow and watching John chase Alyna up and down the beach=) We are also hoping that he will have a few more free days by summer so we can come back with the whole family. I guess that is one of the perks of working so far from home and hoteling it during the week. (hotels.com offers a free night for every 10 nights booked)

Carlene will be attending a cancer camp at the beach the weekend of April 17th. What a wonderful opportunity to meet others facing her same struggles and to learn how others are coping. She has already met one girl who has ALL that will be attending too. There is also an opportunity to attend a week long camp with Olivia & Alicia this summer at the Ronald McDonald Camp. Unfortunately, Alyna is not yet old enough to attend=(

Thank you all again for your prayers and support. This was a difficult week and we are glad it is over...hopefully the next round will not be as hard. I think going into this one sick with the sinus infection and not knowing which anti-nausea medicine worked for her made this first round more difficult. We are hoping for a better round 2!