up to date

Hi to all of my family & friends - one of my sweet friends (Karie L.) told me about this site, so I thought I'd sign up & keep anyone who is interested up to date.
This blog is so you'll be able to know what's going on during my chemo. Feel free to blog back & ask any question you want. I know for some of you it's hard to ask questions about what I'm going through. I thought this would be easier.
I'm going to try & blog a few lines every Sunday.
It all started a long, long time ago, in a land far, far away.... Oh wait, that's a different story :) In October 2007 I had a tumor removed from my esophagus, it was malignant. In late December, I noticed that I was having a hard time swallowing. Especially breads. In January 2008, I had more tests done & again they found a tumor. This time it had little fingers or feelers (don't know how to explain that one) that were attaching to the other wall of my esophagus. Which meant they couldn't just cut it out, otherwise I might have several more tumors growing. The doc wanted me to start chemo beginning of February. I had other plans!! Too busy - had to check my calender :) We went on vacation to DisneyLand - so much fun!! I still had a lot going on, I had a work convention I needed to go to, Andy & Meggen's birthdays were just around the corner & I'm sure I could have come up with a ton of other excuses.. The doc said I needed to start no later than 2-21-08. So, I did. The first night seemed like a breeze, looking back! Then the next day came, that was a different story! I take oral chemo @ home. I start @ 6am on Thursdays and stay on it for 4 days. So far it seems as though Thursday & Fridays are my worst days. I vomit probably 10 - 13 times during the first 2 days. I'm always very dizzy, sort of like the feeling when you get off of a crazy roller coaster, except I can't ever seem to get off! I work for DrCondie & Tuft, Monday - Wednesday. I've had my blood counts done & so far one of the numbers hasn't moved & the other has come down a bit. The doc said if the numbers don't balance out by the end of my 4 month course (June) then I'll have to do another & then possibly radiation. My plan however is to be done by June 12th, that works with my schedule.. My nephew is getting married in June & I WILL be there!!! Well that's all for now. I'll write again next week. Feel free to write to me as well. Thank you all for your kind words & prayers. I know it's helping. I love you all!! Tona