Chemo Day 2

Today Mom was given Bleomycin as part of her chemo. One of the side effects of this is flu-like symptoms which reminds me to tell everyone to get their flu shots! Mom still isn't feeling sickly. She takes treatment in a large room with about a dozen loungers while other patients come in and out. It helps her to talk story with others who are going through the same thing. Among them are women my age with advanced breast cancer, a lady who had a miscarriage because the placenta was cancerous and several older men who like to discuss war stories. It drives home the idea that cancer can happen to anyone.

The only issue Mom is having is a sort of memory loss. Part of it might be that she's on a steroid that affects her sleeping pattern and another part of it might be that keeping rack of everything is pretty confusing! So, if when she's talking to you she repeats herself or asks a question twice, you'll know what's going on.

On Friday Mom and I went to go get her hair cut. Her doctor and nurses stressed that because two of the treatments she's on cause hair loss, Mom will almost definitely lose her hair So now I have her ponytail in my glove box waiting to mail it to Locks of Love. Mom's been receiving lots of compliments on her new do but was amused to see that she has inherited the famous "Palacio neck". What do you think Grandma June?

This last pic is of her and our newest sweet sixteen-year-old, Dora. I can't tell you how much Mom, Jorge and I appreciate Uncle John, Auntie Julie, Dora and Keoni opening their home and hearts to us. Mom's hospital is 5 minutes down the street and they've been a great source of emotional support as well. Three cheers for 'ohana!