The Trial Comes To Order

Whatever we all did, collectively, this morning, it worked. In fact, the first reading of my blood pressure was improbably low: 111/66. I didn't say a word to the intake nurse, however. I just waited to ask the chemo nurse (Brigit, one of my favorites, an energetic sweetie) if she had the capacity to take my pressure and not record it. She totally got what I was asking and agreed to play along, but there really was no need. My pressure next read 135/83, which is more realistic for me and also well within the study parameters. One hurdle crossed.

Then it took nearly two hours for the pharmacy to send up the drug. Luckily, I had my iPad, a book (Laura Hillenbrand's The Unbroken), and this morning's New York Times, complete with crossword puzzle and Ken-Kens.

It was a totally different experience in the chemo suite today. The routines were mostly the same (there are no pre-medications needed) but it felt so different. It was all comfortable and familiar, and I was so much less apprehensive. Nevertheless, by the end of the morning I was feeling a tad sleepy and not-quite-queasy. I'm not sure if it was caused by the drug, or just a post-adrenaline reaction. Either way, it was not severe enough to prevent me from enjoying a lunch of chicken balti royal pie and chocolate custard at Pleasant House Bakery with Emily -- our last mom-daughter outing before she heads back to Pitzer tomorrow morning.