I had my third chemo treatment yesterday. The armor was severely damaged by the time the treatment was over. I got through the treatment because I shared the treatment room with two wonderful breast cancer warriors. I had met both of these beautiful women before and it was so calming and comforting to be there with them. We laughed and shared a lot. One I have mentioned to you before: the true warrior, the one with the children and grandchildren, who told me she has too much to live for. She was getting an additional injection to help with one of the side effects (osteoporosis) and the nurse asked her to read the possible side effects. She read some of them out loud to us and said, “This is why I never read these things. They scare you to death.” I totally agree with her. If you read those inserts, you will run away screaming and never look back. The true warrior said, “I think I would rather have osteoporosis than any of these side effects.”

It’s funny how the conversation changes when you are with other cancer warriors. You talk about triple negative or triple positive, lymph node involvement, radiation (how many treatments), and you never have to explain anything. We have all educated ourselves and it has changed us and changed our language. I really enjoy spending time with these women; it gives me strength to continue this battle. The true warrior is ahead of us in her treatment regimen. She has finished chemo and started radiation. She informed us that after chemo, radiation is a breeze. She has completed 12 of 36 radiation treatments – one-third of the way done. The other cancer warrior and I are on the same schedule. She and I have one more treatment, then the 36 radiation treatments. It will be an honor to walk through this part of the journey with her.

This third treatment has been the most difficult so far. The fatigue is almost overwhelming and the chemo brain is really bad. So bad that my wonderful friend Diane, who is editing these posts for me, will have her work cut out for her on this one (thanks, Diane). The chemo brain really drives me crazy – I cannot think. I know the words I want to say, but that is not what comes out of my mouth. Last night, my dog Finn was making a racket in his crate, so I called for him to stop. But instead of yelling “Finn!” I yelled “Cancer!” Lorene, who was taking care of me last night, looked at me and just started laughing. I also had a great visit with wonderful friends Diane and Laurel last night. They brought me my favorite comfort food, mashed potatoes. Yummy good.

The good visit with friends and the wonderful care I am receiving helps to restore my armor. The armor took a beating yesterday. When I checked out of the clinic yesterday, the wonderful woman who always helps me looked at me and asked, “How are you doing today?” I just looked at her and she said, “I am just going to be honest: You look tired today. You usually are so up that I can tell a difference.” I told her that she was correct.

It is true – I am very tired. The treatments are taking a toll. It is harder to keep the armor in good repair, but I am trying. But it is taking more and more out of me and I am so grateful for all the support I am receiving. I really think that it will be all of you that get the armor ready for me for the last treatment. I am weary, so I thank all of you for getting me prepared for this last chemo battle. The warrior will be ready, with the most loving armor ever.