Can I have your autograph, Christina?

I sent Christina a quick note yesterday while she was at work. The subject line was "You." The email simply said "are my hero." I meant it. She responded and thank me and asked me why. "Because you are beautiful, strong and courageous." Here's a few other things that I need to say to her:

-Can I have your autograph, Christina?
-I don't want to lose you...ever!
-You make me laugh all the time because you are basically a dork
-You work so much harder than me and someday I will make it up to you
-I want to run with you in a 10K race later this year. Just don't beat me too badly.
-You look HOT in that new wig of yours!
-I feel like sh*t that I am missing your chemo appointment this coming week.
-Man, are we gonna have a party when the doctors tell us that you are cancer free! I can already feel the hangover:)

Her 2nd chemo treatment went well although there were all kinds of delays. She was better prepared for the pre-cancer infusion drugs that are steroids and Benadryl. The steroids freak her out and get her edgy. I am used to that feeling as I have been on them for 25 years..It sucks but for me and for her, it is life-saving sucky.

I ran into a husband of another cancer patient here. Christina has known him for years. Just like me, he comes to the chemo treatments to be with his wife. I really feel for those patients who have no visitors during the infusion. Even it is a short visit to drop off a bottle of water or tea for them. Or to hold their hand. Or to tell them that no matter what happens, it is going to be okay. Well, Christina won't have to worry about that!

She got more "cancer gifts" this week. I have THREE diseases. THREE! I don't get a cup of coffee and she gets lavished with gifts. It just isn't fair, dammit! I will, however, allow it for the next few months.

Her appetite is low but she is eating. there are a few other side effects but so far, she has done really well. Sleep? Ehhhh. That's been a little tough to come by these days. She craves spicy chicken wings daily but doesn't want me to barbq chicken or to buy a rotisserie variety either. At least she is not craving liver and onions. I might have to draw the line there.

Her hair will likely fall out in the next two to five weeks. She had her wig cut and styled by a specialist. It really looks good! I couldn't tell at first because it looked so natural. We are still trying to figure out how and where we will get the head shaved. That is something you tend to not think about unless you get cancer.

We both really appreciate all the love and support (and free stuff) that we have received over the past month. It means so much to us. We realize every day that we are blessed. Do you?