EpicTangent update - as of yesterday she was still in the hospital. Hoping to get released home today. We’re planning on a phone call tonight.

I spoke with Melanie last night, she was still in the hospital. The plan was to do a scan of an area today, possibly something else and release her. I just got a text and she is GETTING RELEASED TODAY!!

Melanie started her chemo yesterday. No update yet on how it went.

Hey All, 1st round of chemo went okay - except of course they didn't warn me I wouldn't be able to shower for 2 days while I was hooked up to the infusion pump. I definitely would not have showered the night before had I known. The chemo went okay, nausea meds are working, so hours at the infusion center and 2 days on the pump were more a nuisance than anything else, really. Other than getting tired pretty easily and having weird stuff still hanging off me (surgical drain, hopefully getting removed next week; ileostomy, unfortunately going to be with me around a year), this whole situation just seems really unreal.

Dammit, the computer just ate a long ass post. Let me try to recreate...

Hi All, I saw Shir asked about me in Natter (Hi Shir! I love the pics of you & Nilly & Jess on FB!), so I thought I'd give you a quick update. I've now had my second round of chemo, still mostly side effect free. I still have the surgical drain, the doctor doesn't want to take it out while it's still producing as much as it is. It's slowing down, but not enough to get it removed at my next appointment on Thursday, I'm afraid. So it's probably with me at least another week-ish. It's in my left butt cheek, so it's uncomfortable, and changing the dressing is kinda tricky, but I'm managing it. The ileostomy, and the surgical sites from it are doing okay. Thanks to the drain and the chemo pump every other week, the ostomy now seems like a walk in the park. (Still gross, and weird as fuck, but manageable). I still tire out *really* easily, but otherwise I'm doing OK. Assuming no additional complications, I'm returning to work (remote because of the chemo) on Monday, the 20th. Due to multiple complications, I still haven't gotten any payments from State Disability. I'm thankful I have some savings to cover bills in the meanwhile, but I still really want to start getting those checks to build the savings back up.

And this Friday, I'm going to see Hannah Gadsby in LA!!!!!1!!1111!!

FYI

Maria's mother is in the hospital ICU not doing well, they have signed a DNR, but she is on breathing tubes. The family is not discussing it on FB yet, so please do not mention it in any public location there.

Maria’s mother has passed.

Brief Check In post: Started back to work (remote) on Monday. Some things on my work laptop that I thought were properly set up, proved to be...not. I'm working on workarounds and trying to coordinate with IT. And of course, getting through 6 weeks of emails...sigh.

And yesterday was my 3rd round of chemo. I had to squeeze in another appt before my chemo appts yesterday, then there were really bad delays at the infusion center so it was a long-ass day (1st appt 8am, got out of there abt 4:15). But I still seem to be tolerating the chemo OK. Almost no nausea (and no vomiting, knock on wood), fatigue, and this totally weird tingly reaction to cold. But, considering how bad it could be, I'm counting myself lucky (as far as one gets lucky in these circumstances).

And I had a PET scan last Monday, which seems to show no additional cancer, so that's also a qualified yay.

Still have the (M-Fing) surgical drain. I just pushed my appt tomorrow to next week (again) because it's still producing too much. Fingers crossed for next week; it's getting beyond uncomfortable and wandering into painful territory. A literal, as well as figurative, pain in the ass.

But all things considered, I'm doing alright.

Many of you saw my FB post, the details I didn't share there - my nephew, David, ended his own life. Mid-30s, 2 kids, sweetest guy in the world. Most of us had no idea he was even depressed.

If you need help, please reach out. ISTG, people love you and will be more hurt by your absence than you can ever know.

Fifth round (of 8) of chemo down. Still tolerating it okay. Saw the dr for the surgical drain today, which is, unfortunately, still with me. But at least the dr took the time to really communicate with me about it, which helps a lot. I was getting really frustrated feeling like I was forgotten or they couldn't be bothered to talk with me.

My nephew's celebration of life is scheduled for early September. Right after my last round of chemo. I'm still alternating between heartbroken and so mad at him for taking his own life when I'm going through so much shit trying to extend mine.