Chapter 9 (Volume 2)

27 February 1996- Got up about 6am and took a bath and washed hair- I finally felt clean!

My stomach was a little uneasy, but better than the day before. I ate some cereal, then decided I would "bite the bullet" and wear my wig! My hair looked so bad- I didn't have much of a choice.

I was late getting to work because I had to fiddle with styling my hair. I got to work and Dale was coming off of a bad cold! Just what I need to catch!!

I tried drinking a coke and taking my vitamins, but it didn't take long for the vitamins to come up.

Had an appointment at noon with Valarie at oncologist's office. She showed me how to clean and change the dressing on the porta-cath.

Came back to SS and ate lunch and just piddled around. LT and CPT came out for afternoon line-up.

No one made any comment about my hair or hair color. The CPT did say his sister had a wig the same color.

Went home and was feeling good, fixed dinner for kids and me. John came home from bridal appointments and I fed him.

After dinner, John, Spencer and I watched TV in John's room.

Spencer was being very demanding about my attention. I put him to bed once, then wrote an e-mail letter to Lyn Nell. Spencer was still up so he laid down with me for a few minutes.

I tossed and turned and couldn't sleep so I took a Lorazpam.

28 February 1996- Dale had a busy day at work- I wasn't much help to him. He is doing an excellent job!!

I left for about an hour- got stamps- got paperwork to get my windshield fixed- went to credit union and bank, then went by the pharmacy.

Kinard's still doesn't have all my medical supplies, but they said they should have them by 5:00pm.

Came by at 5:00pm after work and Kinard's still doesn't have all my supplies!! This is getting frustrating!

At around 6 pm- I finally got my medicine and medical supplies. Didn't get home till after 6:30pm.

I fixed dinner for me and boys. John didn't get home till 8pm- I fixed him dinner then. He was in a pretty "blue mood". I certainly understand that he is in a frustrating position. He desperately needs a dedicated designer who can really take some of the load off of him. I will continue to pray for such a person to come along.

I had to return some phone calls- just a really blah evening. I want to spend more time with John, but still feel pulled between John and Spencer- as they are both vieing for my attention. Was very tired then I went to bed after cleaning my porta-cath.

29 February 1996- John was still in a "MOOD" this morning. Before I went to work, we talked about setting the kids straight and having a family meeting to lay out what we expect. I felt a little better about the family situation before leaving for work.

Routine day- Gary called me to ask me how I was doing- it was good talking to him.

Came home and fixed dinner, dropped Joel at library, then picked up a few things at store.

John was home when I got home, he was upstairs watching TV. He was in a very quiet glum "BLUE" mood. Finances are his main worry- I know how he feels- I got paid today (NO EXTRA DUTY). Money and bills will be really rough to pay! I don't know what I am going to do!

1 March 1996- Got to work on time for a change. Jim Gunn called me and he asked me to lunch. Worked a monthly report all day, then did individual stats.

Jim and I went to Deliworks for lunch. We had a good talk- took about an hour and a half lunch.

Came home and checked prodigy- I got a letter from Lyn Nell!

At dinner, John and I laid down law to kids about what we expect of them and what their punishment will be. Joel did dishes and made banana bread cup cakes.

After dinner, I went up and typed a long e-mail letter to Lyn Nell. Cindy called John and they talked a long time.

Watched 20/20, then read some and went to bed.

2 March 1996- Got up around 8am. After breakfast- got boys up.

Started cleaning upstairs. At noon, I had to take Spencer to get Josh a birthday present. We all went over to Joshua's house and visited for a couple hours. Had a good time.

Dropped kids off at house and John and I went over to Jim and Roger's to visit. Stayed till after 8pm- came home and watched TV, went to bed around 11pm.

3 March 1996- Got up early- took bath, had devotions and stuff before I got up rest of family.

Went to church. After church, Dot came over and we went to Women's Club for lunch- it was good! Joel went with Michael to deliver phone books, but he returned by 3:00pm.

Joel showed me how to make cards on the computer.

Did some light cleaning- fixed boys dinner. Played PayDay with Spencer.

Joel was tired and crashed early.

John had a meeting, then went to Kevin's house- we were all asleep by the time he got home.

4 March 1996- Monday- so back to work! Had an appointment with Dr. Magrinant today. They pricked my finger again to take blood. I can't believe I have a port so I don't have to get shots and they still prick my finger!! Why?

I told Dr. Magrinant that I had quite a bit of nausea with my first treatment- so he prescribed Zophran. Valarie flushed my port and changed the caps for me (they gave me the wrong type of cap!)

My next chemo is scheduled for 10:00 on the 15th with follow up on the 26th.

Went by Kinard's and took caps back. The pharmacist assured me that she would get the heparin syringes in by Wednesday.

Came home- Janet Smith brought dinner by tonight. John was home and kind of in a cleaning frenzy.

We ate, then Spencer and I went to talent show at his school.

5 March 1996- Went to lunch with Cindy S today. Went to Ham's and had a nice visit.

After dinner I wrote to Lyn Nell, then played a short game of PayDay with Spencer.

6 March 1996- Went to see Dr. Leone. He changed the bandage. No problems. I was able to get the Heparin syringes from Kinard Drugs.

7 March 1996- Went to Joy E's mother's funeral in Reidsville with Susan.

Martha and Gary came out to SS to see me at lunch, but I couldn't visit much since I was leaving to go to the funeral.

Got my drill check today, but since I only got paid for the one drill- it didn't go too far with paying the bills. I was very stressed about money.

8 March 1996- Did two evaluations on rookies and served them. SGT David wanted me to help him with a display he is working on- so I swallowed my pride and went downtown to PD! Everyone complimented me on my wig! I was real self conscious about having to see people as I didn't want to shock them too much.

Kevin invited John and Spencer over, so I stayed home and ironed clothes and wrote thank you notes!!

9 March 1996- Had drill- didn't wear my wig- everyone said they were glad to see me.

Woke up with sore throat- also am getting mouth sores. My gums and teeth hurt too! I felt lousy, but when I got home, John was cleaning- so I cleaned downstairs while he cleaned kitchen- went to bed around 9pm.