The Chemo Marines have landed!

Ugh!  Don't get cancer if you can avoid it.
The battle has begun in earnest and I'm beginning to experience the side effects of the weapons that are fighting the enemy inside my body.  My abdominal area, the battlefield, is tender and uncomfortable and food is rapidly losing its appeal.  My bed is looking better and better at all times of the day and I'm already fighting the urge to take a nap.  (It's 7 a.m.)  But...enough whining.  What is there to look forward to today?
My dear friend, Vickie, is relieving me of the task of cleaning my house today, as she has done for so many years.  My daughter/temporary slave will arrive later to help me with the laundry and changing the sheets and, if there's time left over we'll watch another episode or two of Downton Abbey to catch her up to Season Three.  My brother, Dave, is here from Tucson for a medical conference and we can look forward to seeing him again tonight for dinner and great conversation.  And I get to visit with Bea, my new friend from the radiation department of Ironwood Cancer and Research Center. 
I spotted Bea in the waiting room, a smile on her face, perfect makeup, sitting with two family members as she waited to be called to face The Big Machine.  We were taken to the waiting bench together and had a chance to visit for a few minutes.  She shared with a smile that this was her fourth week in treatment and, while not loving it, she reminded me sweetly that, "God never promised that our lives would be easy."  I was called in first and as I left for treatment Bea called out cheerfully, "See you tomorrow!"
I returned to the main radiology waiting room and sought out her family members, who it turned out were her son and daughter-in-law.  I told them that I appreciated Bea's great attitude and her son replied, "Yes...She really is something!  She is 91 years old and raised six boys and two girls alone.  She lived with my brother for 15 years but he died and now we get to have her!"...this statement made with a big smile on his face.  I'm looking forward to seeing Bea again today and I've decided I want to be her when I grow up.
Plus, my two day vacation from radiation begins tomorrow... another positive thing.  Who knows what other good stuff this day will bring?
And life is still good.....very good!