Mondays

Jul 21

On Mondays I make my weekly pilgrimage to Dr. Wonderful’s oncology office.  I get a weekly infusion of the biological drug Herceptin through my port.  The plan is for this to continue “indefinitely”.  Dr. Wonderful has me on a short list of patients who are high maintenance with cancer prevention, so there are no plans for my Monday schedule to change.  I’m quite happy with this… I’m a fan of cancer-killing medicine.  The girls go to Phenom’s house or for playdates on Mondays while I am at my appointments.

I am a veteran of the Chemo Room.

I have sat in every one of the ten recliners that circle the room at one time or another.  I’ve also sat on a wheelie stool on very busy days.

I know where the blankets are stored if the blanket warmer is empty.

I know where the snacks and drinks are kept.

I know how to speed up or slow down the IV drips so that they flow at the desired rate.  (Though the nurses don’t like me to mess with them.)

I know which elderly patients are wobbly and need “spotting” when they stand up.

I often get a wink/nod from one of the nurses when I enter the room, indicating a patient (usually a newbie) whom I should sit next to.  I am a good been-there-done-that person that newbies can ask questions.  I like to share my Chemo Room, and my experience with people.

I’m an expert at walking with an IV pole hooked up to my port.

I can recognize an allergic reaction (happens once a month while I’m there) and am good at flagging down the nurses quickly.  I’ve never had a reaction, but they are common.

I see my mom in the Chemo Room every third week when she shows up for her treatment.  Tomorrow is her last treatment: graduation day!)

I embrace the slow pace of the Chemo Room.  No one is ever hurried, busy or rushed.  It is refreshing.

I am grateful for the peace-of-mind I have as a result of my weekly pilgrimage: cancer-killing medicine is being pumped into my veins weekly.  I love cancer-killing medicine.

I trust Dr. Wonderful and his staff.  I love Dr. Wonderful.  He wears cowboy boots with his suits.

I embrace my No Evidence of Disease (NED) status with intense gratitude; I am a miracle.  I am God’s miracle.  Thank you God for my doctors.

God always meets me in the Chemo Room.  He fills that room with His spirit; it is so strong it is almost palpable.

Tomorrow is my regular Monday.  I am so blessed.

9 comments

  1. Patty Wheeler /

    Amy and I were just talking about missing your posts. Hope swim team was great. Yay for you and your mom!

  2. diane /

    I love you and I love your posts. 🙂

  3. Peggy /

    I agree with Patty…I was missing your posts and hoping it meant something very, very good…like being away on a much needed family vacation. Your own, new site is quite exciting (but now I’ll have to tell everyone it’s NOT Anderson Family Zoo). Looking forward to reading all the stories that have been “marinating”…and hoping you continue to “Do Today Well” ♥

  4. I love the new site!

  5. How wonderful that you can be there for others and share your experience…and peace!

  6. Teri /

    Thank you for your wonderful peaceful hopeful words about the chemo room. Having had 3 of 6, and having this last one be more intense in terms of systems than the prior 2, I was dreading number 4. I will take your words with me and like my chemo room, and enjoy the peace that you so aptly described!

  7. Damo /

    Jen you are bloody amazing and an inspiration to not only your family but you have inspired so many more. From all of us here in Australia we love you guys.

  8. laura /

    Love your new site! And your words, as always! Thanks for sharing your heart. Filled with gratitude right there along with you, God is SO very faithful!

  9. Your attitude is inspiring and your compassion for others is better than one of those warm blankets. 😉
    I have a friend who is fighting breast cancer again (round 2) and I wish she had someone like you in her treatment room.