Feeling Better Than Last Week :)

I am finally feeling better. Still quite fatigued but much better than last week. I had my blood counts checked yesterday and they look good. I am still a little anemic but not too bad. My white count is high enough that I am legal to work for a few hours so hooray!! I worked this afternoon for 3 hours and feel ok. Plan is to work for a partial day both tomorrow and Friday. I have an appt with Dr. Miranda on Monday to discuss the new chemo regimen and our plan to manage the side effects. Then Tuesday is chemo day! I think that the plan is still to receive the neulasta injection the day after chemo. Then I will continue my Iv hydration and Iv steroids at home for 4 days. That has really been such a blessing! Tyler and Alexa are both becoming pros at helping me - I'm too weak to open packages and spike the Iv bag and such. We are all learning new skills :). I am excited to be headed into round 5 but a little apprehensive for the new drug. This round is definitely going to be a learning experience :)! Tyler will update after treatment Tuesday. As always a million thanks for everything. A special thank you to my long distance fan club. I am so grateful for the support of family and friends from afar. We have loved receiving cards, phone calls, packages, messages, and especially prayers. Please know how very much we appreciate ALL of you!! And thank you to my loyal and steadfast local supporters!! Huge love and hugs to everyone! ~ Melissa

 These pictures were taken last week when Melissa was feeling pretty rough! Her red eyelids and overall flushing was from the Adriamycin. She said she is now missing virtually all of her bottom eyelashes. Her right eyebrow is about half gone but the left one is mostly gone.

Normally this is the week Melissa would be able to attend sacrament meeting, but since it is general conference she won't get to attend for 6 weeks. She really looks forward to that tiny amount of freedom, even though she has to be careful not to get too close to anyone. It always makes me feel good just to see her sitting across the chapel and know that she is able to have that one hour. :) Melissa also said that her cooking is not so great now because she relies on taste so much and her "taste buds are jacked" so her family is "suffering!" Melissa is usually an amazing cook and that is something she enjoys doing. She never uses a recipe or any measuring tools, I can imagine that not being able to taste is causing havoc! ~ Nicole