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  Adventures of a Girl with Hodgkins

One Down...11 To Go

9/14/2010

22 Comments

 

Picture
Yesterday was my first chemo treatment.  For my armor I choose a shirt given to me by my friend Richard, a professional knight turned DP and screenwriter, now doing another stint as a knight. It's all very complicated, but makes perfect sense once you meet him. It's a t-shirt he wore under his for real armor when he jousted.  You can see a picture of this and other shirts I've already worn to appointments in the gallery of armor. 

The photo at left is the first drug - the dreaded Adriamycin (also known as doxorubicin) going in.  It's the "A" in the ABVD, and the one that makes you lose your hair.  But as I told it right before the nurse hooked it up to the IV - "nice try buddy, but you can't have my curls because I already cut them and donated them to a little kid and now I look like Joan Jett, which suits my rocker personality much better, so HA."

The first treatment was nothing like I expected -- mostly because I expected to sit and catch up on my summer reading, dantily eating snacks and holding court with all of my lovely chemo visitors while the drugs did their thing.  Little did I know that the benadryl they gave me ahead of time to help mitigate the side effects, would make it more like all those drug experiences I never had in college.  Seriously I was knocked the f* out from about minute 10, curled up, covered with blankets and completely incoherent, talking about unicorns and other very important stuff.

Needless to say I was not such good company for said chemo visitors, but they were awesome anyway.  Thanks to Lynn for agave sweetened ice cream and Jedi princess fleece blankets, Deilia for sneaking out of work, and Annie for bringing me the giraffe figurine and crazy goddess pendant that she was sure mom would want me to have. And thanks to Charlie for manning central command, running interference with the doctor, for yummy Pret lunch (enjoyed pre-pass out) and for shuttling me to and from in Rocinante the wonder Jeep.  Today has been a little more rough than I thought - headache, a little dodgy in the tummy and flushed (but no fever as I feared earlier -- good thing as this would mean a bad reaction to the drugs.) They say that day 3 is the worst.  Can't wait for that fun!

22 Comments
Archana
9/14/2010 04:24:58 pm

hugs and love to you! i freakin heart this blog so much. XO

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b.a.g.
9/14/2010 10:54:12 pm

You were *great* company - and a champ. Day 3 is going to be just fine.

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Misty
9/15/2010 12:43:32 am

sending you much love on the "dreaded" day 3 ... although i have no doubt that you will also kick its ass. but hang in there and embrace all the armor from your army :)

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Richard link
9/15/2010 01:31:06 am

Miss E,

Honored to have seen my shirt go into combat along side such a fearless princess. Know with certainty - that you are armored in the love of your friends, armed with the lance of science, and mounted on the spirited steed of faith.

You ARE an inspiration to us all.

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Ann
9/15/2010 01:48:17 am

only you could make a blog about cancer so exciting to read. as always, i'm in awe of you. LOVE you!

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Janina Roncevic
9/15/2010 02:03:44 am

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Janina
9/15/2010 02:11:46 am

If this is what the chemo is doing to you, just imagine what it is doing to the ENEMY! Keep strong we are right beside you.
xxxxx

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Yvonne
9/15/2010 02:15:03 am

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Yvonne
9/15/2010 02:17:55 am

I love you so much and I am in awe of your amazing spirit! I absolutely love that you refused to let this take your hair! Hugs from Toledo Ohio from all Goodwins great and small.

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G
9/15/2010 04:42:20 am

Of course it should come as no surprise that you continue to emanate your special mix of joy, love and all around good feeling to everyone around you. I'm in awe of all that you are and am inspired by you always.
So back at ya, with love and warmth and healing thoughts! xxxo

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Kevin L Jackson
9/15/2010 05:10:36 am

With you always.

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Ross
9/15/2010 05:13:53 am

Ain't nothing wrong with being bald!
Consider yourself hugged!

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Nayna
9/15/2010 05:37:26 am

Love you, Erin. You are amazing. As I've said to you countless times, your positivity and ability to find humor, joy and strength in all challenges in life never cease to amaze me. I am so lucky to have you as my optimistic touchstone!

Love, Nayna (your cynical touchstone)

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erica*
9/15/2010 07:23:44 am

Hey Erin! You are lovely and amazing!! Your attitude, grace & humor are inspirational! You are a treasure to me and I wish I could be there for you! Thanks for doing this blog because it helps those of us who are miles and miles away! Know that me, my family & friends are lifting you up in prayer everyday!! Stay strong you Motor City Bad Girl!! ;) Sending lots of love, erica*

PS Love the pics with the wigs! You look great as a red head!! :) And blondes do have more fun! LOL

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Cindy Germano
9/15/2010 08:46:22 am

I wish I was there to give you a hug! In the meantime I'm sure my brother would be happy to give you a hug for me.
Hang in there sister, you rock.
xoxo

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Shelley Weinstock
9/15/2010 12:28:39 pm

Erin, thank you for including us in your email list. You are beautiful and strong and we know you are going to get through this. You have so many wonderful friends. We will be following your progress and love you and hope to get down there to see you --- possibly in October. Shelley and Paul

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Vanessa
9/15/2010 03:56:22 pm

You are the most awesome! And I love Joan Jett - rock it out girl! We are rooting for you here and holding space for your healing. Ur an inspiration every day, and I have the pic we took together - on our last hug in San Francisco - as my computer icon so I look at you every day! Thanks for your courage and love. Ur the awesome-ist. Isn't short hair divine? xoxoxo

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*Bex
9/15/2010 04:28:59 pm

LOVE to you in the wee hours after Day 3!

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Virginia
9/16/2010 03:34:33 am

You rock. Keep kickin some dragon tail.
Hugs!

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Paul
9/16/2010 04:48:40 am

Keep the faith! The world needs more people like Joan Jett!!! Love, Eti and Paul

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Jen
9/16/2010 02:45:17 pm

Dude, is your chemo gonna continue to be this entertaining? I think all of those drugs are working for you! Thank God for a good sense of humor... LOVE YOU!

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Jenny Harris McCulloch
9/30/2010 11:56:36 am

Erin, I'm not sure how I missed all of this. Just clicked on your blog for the first time and I'm speechless. You're an amazing woman and I am thankful for the personal experience you've shared with us.
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
Keep up the good fight!
Jenny

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