3rds and 4ths and 5ths

Hope you all had a good Independence Day. I was a little tired on the the 4th, because I had a minor procedure to insert a medi-port on the 3rd. Everything went well, although the site is still rather sore. On Thursday, I got to use the port for the first time for a blood draw and chemo. Wow, what a difference! Sure, it hurt to get the port started, but it was a one shot deal. Once it was in, it was in. And the difference with the Gemzar was amazing. Gemzar is the drug I have to get twice in a 21-day cycle. On day 1, I got it in my arm, and oh my, did it hurt. Getting Gemzar in my port yesterday (which is in my jugular vein) was nearly nothing. I couldn't believe the difference.

As for as the 4th itself, it was nice. My brother and his wife had us and her sister's family over for a barbecue. Mike made ribs and chicken, which were really good. We brought three cheese freezes (that is what we call no-bake cheese cake) -- one plain, one peanut butter, and one that had a layer of plain cheese freeze but also a layer of pumpkin custard. Yum-o (yes, I'll own up to the Raytard I am).

Karen's niece is nearly 14 months now and is walking. It was interesting to watch the dogs interact with her (and Mike and Karen really did keep an eye on that). Mickie the American Eskimo was largely unfazed by her. Spud the lab mix, on the other hand, was both frightened and jealous of her.

I've been kind of off today, with the chemo yesterday. In fact, it is nearly time for my next dose of Compazine (let's hear for those anti-nausea drugs!) I'm also rather tired, with those flu-like symptoms. I hope to be feeling better in a couple days. This coming week is my off week for chemo, so maybe I can enjoy a few decent days.