Day +46, where does the time go...

Has it really been almost a month since I updated this?  Wow.  Can't believe I'm up to day +46... can't believe I had to look at a calendar yesterday to count what day I was on.  I kinda thought I'd pay more attention to it, but I guess it has been a busy few weeks.  So, for those that aren't already aware, I'm home, LOL.  I was only at Hope Lodge for about 5 days, which seemed to surprise a few people.  I got to come home on day +23, which was fabulous.  I spent some much needed time with my family and worked on getting used to being home again (and having mom as my caregiver at home, lol).  I'm feeling pretty good overall.  Still dealing with some nausea and I get tired easily, but it hasn't been as bad as I anticipated.  The meds haven't been too bad to deal with either.  I'm on an antiviral, antibiotic (that I only have to take on weekends), vitamin supplements and nausea meds as needed.  It works out to be 8-10 pills a day, 12-14 on weekends.  Since I had an auto transplant and not an allo (donor) I don't have to worry about GvHD (graft vs. host disease), and I don't have nearly as many meds or restrictions as an allo would.  I saw my oncologist in Corning after I'd been home for around two weeks and he was very pleased with my blood work and progress so far.  I went in again today for my "chemo teach" to learn about the Brentuximab I'll be getting as maintenance chemo for the next year.  I'll have infusions done every 3 weeks for a total of 16 treatments if my body can handle it.  The side effect I'm worried about is peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling in hands and feet) since I work with sharp things in people's mouths being able to use my hands properly is a good thing.  The other side effect I learned about that I have to watch for is lung problems... especially due to the previous chemo drugs I've had that are toxic to the lungs (Bleomycin and Carmustine).  Oh yeah, and extreme sensitivity to the sun (like I'm not sensitive already, lol) and rashes.  The rest are pretty standard for chemo... nausea, fatigue, low blood counts, etc.  Supposedly this one isn't supposed to be as rough as the previous chemotherapy drugs that I've had, and I'm hoping that's true.  As of right now the game plan is a consult on Friday to have another port put in (yay.), then blood work and another CT scan on the 16th, and I start treatment on the 18th.  So sometime in the next two weeks I'll get the port... there's no way in hell I was going to do another PICC line, so that's my alternative.  Oh well.  Overall, I've been very pleased with treatment and all the doctors, nurses and staff that I've dealt with so far.  I don't have to go back to Roswell again until October, which is nice.  Once again I'd like to thank everyone that has had me in their thoughts and prayers over the course of this journey.  Thank you for all the well wishes, messages, cards, calls and gifts.  Everything is very much appreciated.  I received some very nice gifts and cards while I was at Roswell (and since I've returned), and have the "Hornby health fairy" looking out for me, so I'm in pretty good shape.  I'm just going to enjoy my time before treatment starts again, and I'll be sure to keep those that are interested updated on my progress.  One thing I do have to mention though, is the loss of someone I met on my adventures at Roswell.  I didn't know him well, but spent some time getting to know his parents (who are incredibly sweet people) around the kitchen table at Hope Lodge.  Cancer is a horrible, unfair thing that no one should have to suffer through, especially at the young age of 24.  Justin fought hard, and it's not fair that he had to deal with any of it.  May 22 his suffering ended, and the fact that he had to suffer at all is heartbreaking.  He was a very sweet person that made a big impact on me in a very short period of time.  Lessons learned... don't take anything or anyone for granted.  Life is too short. XO