Happy Friday

Where to begin, where to begin. I spent two hours with the medical oncologist yesterday. After looking at case studies and flow charts we decided no chemotherapy. All the research showed that in similar cases to mine, chemotherapy made no difference in the long term outcome. The side effects of the chemo options were completely hideous, too. Two with severe nausea and permanent hearing loss. The most 'mild' option required liters and liters of fluid to be pumped through me. Hard on kidneys for the average Joe, but a ticket to heart failure for me. So apparently I get to keep my teeth and my hair.

We spent 2 and 1/2 hours at the dentist this morning. Instead of doing my cleaning first as scheduled, they did the girls first. This left them standing around for over an hour and a half while they cleaned my teeth and played around with fluoride trays. Because all my swallowing isn't 100% yet, I felt like I was drowning and they had to keep stopping to let me suction out the water. The dentist tried the fluoride trays on me and they got stuck on my teeth and they couldn't get them off for about ten minutes. I finally managed to pry them off. They cut them down a little so it is easier to get them off. I get to see the dentist and get my teeth cleaned every three months. I know this is a dream for so many of you...

In case anyone cares, neither Karina nor Karissa had any cavities.

Next week we have a doctor appointment in Portland Monday, one with the dentist and the oral surgeon on Thursday, Tuesday at the oncologist having my mask made and my ct scan map of the area to be radiated and Teens and Tots graduation on Friday. Oh, and of course one more of the 26 Bar/Bat Mitzvahs on Saturday. Karina gets her new "you need to wear them all the time or else" glasses on Tuesday, too. I think Wednesday is actually free, but who knows if it will stay that way.

Thanks for all the comments! I feel like I have my own cheering section!

Love,
Kiara