Round 5, Day 2

Chemo yesterday went well. I really enjoyed my appointment with Dr. Markus. I haven't commented much on how we appreciate him. He's a very compassionate person who seems to have all the time in the world to chat throughout the appointment.

Yesterday, he walked in and I put down my crochet project. He remarked that he'd learned to knit when he was a child, but never got into crochet. This lead to other handiwork discussion and he disclosed, "Embarrassingly, I'm the one who sews in the house. When the kids need something fixed, they know to come to me."

I said, "That's not embarrassing!" and told him the story of a Navy birthday ball Bryan were at. We sat next to a SEAL and his wife and Bryan got to chatting with her about his Fall pie baking, how he'd just finished the pumpkin and was about to start on the apples.

She told us, "This macho husband of mine brought a mum plant home from Home Depot yesterday and swore me to secrecy because he felt like a sissy and here your husband is bragging about his pie baking!"

And the SEAL said, "I told you not to tell anyone!"

So, then, Dr. Science. Yes, I like him a lot. He asked about our plans after Bryan's retirement and Bryan mentioned that the plan had been to head to MO, but now we were looking to stay here. Immediately, Markus said, "Will you be near St. Louis? I have a colleague with a terrific practice there. Do you want me to look into where you could go in Kansas City?"--and he was genuinely concerned. Said it was "so sad" to have to see people change life plans because of medical issues.

I said, "Nope! I'm happy to stay here!"

And Bryan is definitely getting happy about it, too. . .

I asked, again, about his family history, and he's just not on it. I told him, "You know, Dr. Markus. Your parents are going to die one day and then there will be no one to ask."

He said his mother has put it all on 4 CD's and counting. So I guess he doesn't need to ask now. And I guess the rest of us will never know.

Chemo got started an hour late. I never know why there is a delay. . . But it all went well. I feel OK. Everything it is yet again a little worse this time--more stomach cramping, more fatigue.

But what's different is that this feels like the last 'real' round. Sister #3 will be here for Round 6, and that will make a big difference. Plus, with Round 6, as bad as I may feel, I'll know that it's the last time I'm feeling that bad! So Round 5 therefore feels like the last regular round.

Went out with 2 friends this morning and had a great time. We first dropped the kids off at Betsy's and even Amber, the friend, noted, "They settle right in, don't they?"

Yes. As though they own the joint.

And Josh is pretty thoroughly potty trained! Goes number 1 AND 2 out in public, which is kind of my standard for determining the level of thoroughness. . .

Ate feta cheese the other day to no ill effect! Ate a piece of Swiss cheese yesterday to no ill effect! Had two small pieces of brie today on my salad at lunch and might be a little off from that. But I am hopeful! Perhaps cheese can be a part of my life after all!

Very good news, because I would very much like Sister #3 to make Gramma's Stuffed Shells for us when she's here. . . .