First day back

Today was my first day back at work in over 16 weeks. It's crazy to think I had been gone for that long, but when I walked back in today, it seemed like I had just left. I am so thankful for all my coworkers and their kindness, empathy and genuine support shown both during my treatment, and then today as I came back. I could not have asked for a better day.

Going into today, I was feeling pretty anxious. I missed the bus I intended to take, which was not a huge deal because I had allowed plenty of time before my first patient. Most of my anxiety surrounded the unknown. Was I going to answer a lot of questions about how I was feeling, my treatment, etc? Would I have to tell patient's about what I had gone through? Would my wig stay on my head? :) Things of that nature were all crossing my mind as my bus weaved through the city towards work.

Like I said, I couldnt have been more blessed by how the day went. I walked into our charting room to brownies and a welcome back sign. I received countless hugs and well wishes throughout the day from colleagues. So good to see so many smiling faces :) I was able to get back in the grove rather quickly of chart reviewing, documenting and billing- all of which I was nervous I would have forgotten how to do. I started at 8am, had 5 new patients, was able to keep up with paperwork for the most part and ended my day around 1pm.  An all around successful day.

 I truly love my career and love where I am working. It felt great to get back in the routine of work (minus the waking up early part).  It was good to reengage my brain again after a long hiatus. I felt confident in my examinations and treatments and felt like patient interaction went well. Only adverse effect I noticed was throughout the day I battled low blood sugar and needed to snack often.

For the next two weeks the plan is to work half days as I adjust to very different energy demands than I have experienced in the last few months. Today went well, but I am exhausted. Tomorrow is a bit longer of a day and I have lung function tests after work to reevaluate my respiratory system. I am taking it easy (for those who are worried about that) and continue to listen to my body.

Here are some pictures from today!

Friends for life

Last week my friend Becky came to Portland to visit.  It was so good to see her and I am always amazed when a friendship can just pick up where it left off. We think the last time we saw each other was Christmas 2013, but before that was her wedding (summer 2007). I was looking for pictures from her wedding, but they must be on my external hard drive. I am so thankful she came out and I was able to show her some of my favorite parts of Portland.

She arrived last Tuesday which was the last day of Round 4. I was pretty tired, but we ventured over to Hawthorn neighborhood to people watch. I was cracking up with Becky's comments "does everyone where skinny jeans?" and "why does that guy just have one pant leg rolled up? Is that a fashion statement?" and "you eat food from a cart?". I wish I could remember all the things she said because I was literally laughing out loud multiple times.

On Wednesday we went to heaven (Zama Salon)! Becky treated me to the full salon experience including a facial, massage and foot soak. It was a fantastic way to celebrate being done with chemo and a chance to really just relax. The salon we went to was amazing and if you are in the Portland area, I highly recommend going. We went out for Thai food afterwards, which I think was Becky's first time eating Thai food. We spent the rest of the day running around the city seeing sights and just hanging out.

On Thursday we woke up and went to the Waffle Window in SE Portland. It was amazing and enough to send anyone's blood sugar over the edge :) We drove around the west hills and picked out our dream homes :) It was raining all day so we spent a good amount of time hanging out on my couch watching TV and just catching up on life.

I am consistently amazed by all of my friends, near and far that have given so much during this time. Thank you Becky for taking time away from your family and your life to come out and spend time with me.