Catch up

So it's really been a while since I've posted much. Most important thing I should mention is what happened during my last chemo. There was a man sitting next to me, nice guy, so we started chatting. It's the chemo room thing to do. Only place us cancer folks can casually go up to someone and say "Hey, what do you have?" without weird awkwardness. Well, it seems his doctors aren't sure what he has, possibly mesothelioma, which is a very bad thing. It's usually caused by exposure to asbestos. It is also the 6th time he's had cancer! I can't imagine going through this so many times. But then I couldn't imagine it at all before. His first cancer was non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and was apparently the worst. But possibly it being the first time makes it the worst, I know I'll be pretty miserable if I am diagnosed with cancer again, but it will seem more routine instead of scary as shit like it has been.

Unfortunately, there was a bit of an interruption during the conversation. One of my chemo bags (the dacarbazine) spilled onto the side of my chair and on the table. Evidently this is a very very big deal. I was rushed out the chair and everyone was told to stay the hell away while people ran around cleaning it in a state of semi panic. My parents didn't even notice, I thought that was pretty funny. Apparently this stuff that they pump into my veins will cause serious burns if it gets on your skin. The nurse was so upset by it that after she couldn't remember what rate to set the pump for the dacarbazine, but that's ok, it's 750 ml/hr, I know this stuff now.

Well, after all the panic, I get back into my old chair that is free of the chemo spill and the guy is getting ready to leave (he had been chatting with my parents). On his way out he hands me a book. The book is called "No Such Thing As A Bad Day" by Hamilton Jordon with a forward by Jimmy Carter. Inside the cover is written "To Carina - With my best wishes for your good health! I know that you are a fighter and am confident that you will be cured! Your friend, Hamilton Jordon." Holy crap! This guy not only is a New York Times Bestseller, he was Jimmy Carter's chief-of-staff!! So, yeah, as soon as my little chemo brain will permit me to read, I will be reading his book.