Monday, April 24, 2006

April 24, 2006

This is a tough blog to write. It's been a difficult day for Erica and by default, it makes it a little harder for me... This morning was our scheduled appointment at the hospital for week 2. She only received one chemotherapy shot today and again takes the rest at home during the week. After her appointment, we came home to recooperate, rest, and watch some ALIAS. (we're totally addicted!) Since Jamie offered to cook us a fabulous feast for dinner, we all took a trip to Whole Foods for some groceries. On our way to checkout, Erica's legs buckled and she couldn't stand. I held her up while Jamie grabbed a chair. I ran out to bring the car to the front of the store, only to see THREE people carrying my unconscious sister to my car. Needless to say, I was panicking at this time---she had fainted. One of the gentlemen carrying her just happened to be a doctor at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and knows Erica's Attending Physician! He advised us to head directly to the ER at Brigham and Women's Hospital and he called ahead to let our doc know we were coming. Upon arriving, I reached via telephone our doctor's PA who calmed me down, gave me background that this is common for patients coming off the steroids she took the past week, and gave us the green light to take her home to rest.
So now, we are sitting on the couch, completing a crossword puzzle, and realizing that things are coming at us that we hadn't ever thought of... the real fear is the unknown. It was shocking and scary... My fear is that just moments before I had left her to pick up something in another aisle because she told me she could stand---what if I wasn't there? What would I have done without Jamie being here?? ... physically and emotionally, we are hitting some lows. But we are determined and looking forward to a better week ahead. It helps to realize that we are conquering each obstacle and makes us a little bit stronger.

5 comments:

Erik said...

Erica and Jaci,

I agree with Joyce above, thank you for sharing all of your ups and downs with us--that was a scary Whole Foods story, but it's good to know that you are home again and watching Alias, and that there was a doctor at the Whole Foods who knew your doctor (it sounds like your neighborhood is just swarming with doctors--which is awesome!), and Jaci, it's so great that you and Erica have each other, and the strength that both of you show (in the face of everything) is a big, promising thing that I know will help you get through this.

Sending you love from California,
Erik (Nithipalan)

Sandy said...

Stay strong, sisters. Alias Season 3 is waiting for you... just say the word...

Greg Genco said...

Erica and Jaci,
wow, what a hard day. i dont know what to say except im glad you made it through ok. rest up and take care.
your strength in the face of all this continues to be an inspiration.
with love,
Greg
ps whats up with alias? never heard of it

the communicatrix said...

Courage, dear ones!

And, as Erik says, lots of Alias!

Thank you for your grace. I have a feeling there are many, many people out there you don't even know yet who are in your corner.

Take good care of yourself. More Alias! And cookies!

Erik said...

Erica, I just saw THIS and it made me smile (it's an advertisement for channel four in England, but it's basically just a lot of TV actors sharing their favorite curse words). I thought it might make you smile too.

xo