OF OKC, PREGNANCY PARALLELS & IRONY

Friends in low places
I just returned from a quick business trip to Oklahoma City. I've traveled there something like 15 or 20 times during the past few years, so it's sort of like walking into the bar at Cheers (e.g., on my last trip there, I brought Liam, and Gail, the secretary, watched him during my meetings-- how's that for a family friendly office?). In any event, it was great to be face-to-face with people I talk with on the phone almost every day, and to bask in the well wishes of a lot of those (I'm guessing) anonymous time-off donors. I was greeted at the door with a bear hug from the indescribable office manager (larger than life doesn't do him justice) who whisked me into his office and gave me a really wonderful mix cd he'd created for me, and an "Oklahoma T-shirt" which reads: "Ted Kennedy's Car Has Killed More People Than Have Been Killed at GITMO." (He thinks I'm too liberal). I was very touched. (I guess sometimes treasures come in unexpected ways and forms.)

What do you mean it's March?
I feel like I'm running out of time. When am I going to go to the dentist? get new contacts? get my hair cut (off)? pick up my prescriptions? finish my projects at work? be able to travel? I know my life isn't going to come to a screeching halt on Monday, but I know it will change, at least for a bit, and although mentally I think I'm doing pretty well, I'm feeling a bit logistically challenged (especially since we're going to the mountains this weekend). But if there's one thing I learned from maternity leave (alexander's coming 3 weeks early) it's that everything will wait, no worries-- (except for getting the prescriptions part, that I need to find time for). There are a surprising number of parallels I can draw between having chemo and being pregnant/having a baby (but at least I know the due date on this one). Lots of doctor visits... lots of positive attention... believing whole-heartedly in positive attitude & medicine (likely in large and equal doses) getting me through discomfort... I still remember being very physically uncomfortable & extremely tired while I was pregnant, (for a similar amount of time as a the chemo, I think) so hopefully that was good training... and ultimately that it's all so very very worth it. (And at least this go round I'll be able to fit into cars.)

Isn't it ironic, doncha think?
One of the chemo side-effects that I was dreading above most others was the possibility of getting mouth sores, because every so often I'll get a cold sore and I hate them. Today, for the first time in over a year, I got a cold sore-- likely because I got sunburned in Mexico. Go figure.