chemo session 2

Life threw me a curveball right before my second chemo session. A low‑grade fever and pain near my port and shoulder landed me in the ER. After a series of tests to rule out infection, sepsis, or a blood clot, the answer came back as pneumonia.

The doctors gave me two choices. I could be admitted to the hospital, or I could begin antibiotics in the ER and continue treatment at home with a prescription. With the warning to return immediately if my fever worsened, I chose the second option. Home is where I rest best, even though chemo had already upset my stomach and the antibiotics added to the discomfort. It took several days for the medicine to work, but thankfully I began to feel better just in time for chemo.

On November 21, 2025, chemo session two went forward. My bloodwork looked good overall. My red blood cell count was lower than before, so they tested my iron. There was a possibility I might need weekly iron infusions, there were three options, depending on insurance approval, one of which could last six hours. Thankfully, my iron levels came back strong enough that I did not need the infusion this time.

Today I am wearing the Neulasta shot pack on my arm. Around 5:28 pm it will deliver a dose designed to help my bone marrow produce white blood cells, protecting me from infection while chemo lowers my counts. In the past I had to return to the clinic for this shot, but now technology allows it to be administered at home, saving me trips to the doctor. That feels like a small but meaningful piece of lemonade.

I am feeling good today, though Neulasta can bring side effects like bone or joint pain. Thankfully, there is a regimen to help manage those symptoms. My hope is to stay healthy through this round and avoid another setback like pneumonia. Jason suspects my swallowing issues after port surgery may have caused the pneumonia, and that could very well be the case. Luckily we caught it early and prevented it from becoming worse.

Most of all, I want to thank everyone for the prayers, cards, gifts, and kind words. Your support lifts my spirits more than you know. It is easy to forget in the busyness of everyday life how many people truly care. But when challenges arise and love pours in, it is a powerful reminder of the community around me. I am grateful, I am blessed, and I am determined to keep making lemonade out of the lemons life hands me.