Much-needed time off

Since we've both used our vacation and sick time for Neil's surgeries, treatments and appointments, we looked forward to the holidays. We were off for Christmas Eve and Christmas and returned to work Monday-Wednesday and were off New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. So even though we weren't off work for two weeks like a lot of people, it was a nice break with two short work weeks and two four-day weekends!

Christmas was really nice, we did our Christmas with each other first and then we went to my parents' house, followed by gifts and dinner at Mike and Carol's house. It was a lot of fun...but by the time it was all over around 2:30 we went home and slept until 7!!!

Neil had chemo on New Year's Eve and I was able to go with him. The oncology unit closed that day at noon, so they got him in and out pretty quickly...the turned up the drip to double time and had his bloodwork rushed. So rather than the 5-6 hours he is normally there, it was more like 4 1/2. We ate with Mike and Carol and then we both went home and took a long nap. It's exhausting just being there, so I can't even imagine what it's like to actually get the treatments. While he was sleeping, I went to the store and got stuff for our own little party--two hats, party horns, snacks and the makings for Shirley Temples! We even broke out our Tiffany flutes to drink them from :-). I made fondue and we had a good time just chilling out.

We watched X-Files for a few hours (we are proud owners of the box set and that's all we watch!) and then around 11 tuned into the New Year's Eve coverage at Times Square. Any other year, we'd be painting the town red with Nate and Stacia, but we were actually having trouble staying awake for the ball drop! Next year it's back on though!

A lot of people keep asking how I am too, and I'm doing really well! I think the time off gave me a chance to catch up on sleep, hang out with Neil and just relax--something I rarely get to do. We played with our presents, watched movies and X-Files, cooked good food and just spent time together. It was a very refreshing change of pace!

Neil's last chemo was tough. He was sick for three days. His chemo was last Thursday and he's still recovering. I'm very proud of him for sticking it out at work yesterday because he wasn't feeling well.

Next appointment is next Monday and next chemo is that Friday.

After the treatments this month, he will have a PET scan and they will go from there as far as the decision on more chemo vs. radiation.