Here it comes!

Well, as most of you already know this is my first week of treatment, as well as my first week back to work!!

Work has been great!! What better day to start work than on the JSI Thanksgiving Pot Luck, we had so much amazing food with all my amazing co-workers and friends.  I have to give a shout out to Gladys (from Peru) I have to say your flan was the highlight of the long line of fabulous desserts.  It was so nice to see all of my co-workers, I think the last time I got so many hugs was when I left Costa Rica in 1984.  The difference was, this were welcome back glad to see you in good health hugs, they truly made me
feel special.  Thank you!! to all my amazing co-workers, it is truly unbelievable to work such a large group of truly nice and caring people.  JSI is a great company to work for and I do not wanna sound like I am trying to hard, but to have the support of your company, your Director, the Human Resource managers is a new concept to me.  To have leaders that are sensitive to the struggles we are going through as a family, is actually an answer to my prayers.  I prayed for years to have a job where I would be appreciated for what I do.  I prayed for a boss that understands that I am committed to my responsibilities and getting the job done, however is understanding that sometimes family and your health does have to be a priority.  Those prayers did come through, it took some time, but they did.

This past couple of weeks we have enjoyed so many visits from friends, co-workers and neighbors.  All of them coming to see me!  How great is that, all of them coming to give more hugs and to give me encouragement, it was very nice.  I have to tell you that none of the came empty handed.  You expect things from family, you know is "their obligation" to be there for you and they all do it with love, but, to get that from your friends, it just makes them an extension of the family.  I just cannot get over it, it is amazing that people are so kind.  Children love the assortment of foods that I never expose them to, they are so appreciative to! they pray for peoples kindness towards our family, be it with food or prayers or both, we appreciate it so much.

Now about the dreaded treatments.  I have been very stressed with the anticipation of it all, not so much of undergoing the treatments, because they are not so bad, is the side effects I am dreading.  Well although they tell you the symptoms do not come on so early, I can feel them sneaking in.  Apart from Chemo medication, I have about 5 or 6 other medications that I take to help with symptoms.  Well regardless.  Is the first week and although symptoms are light, you do feel a bit of the burning from the radiation; migraines, fatigue, nausea and numbness throughout the body from the Chemo running through the body.  Little things, that do scare me because I know they will worsen as we move forward.  I know is a necessary evil, I know they will only be temporary, I know I will be fine and that I will be able to handle them.  Still, not fun to think what is ahead, so I keep taking one day at a time.