re-born

Mom's started on her treatment. Technically, she is not on chemotherapy. She is on Rituxan and thalidomide. The horrid side effects she had to endure four years ago is well buried in the past and never again. So we thought. It is deja vu.

Prior to her Rituxan infusion, she was pre-medicated with Benadryl and dexamethasone. We are told that it can elicit quite an allergic reaction. With mom though, it was more like anaphylaxis. Hyperthermia, hives, hypotension and worse of all, laryngospasm. Multiple doses of hydrocortisone later, she seems recovered but near passed out. When she came to, she insists on going home to her bed. No sense in arguing. She is back to hospital a day later. Palpitations. Her tachyarrhythmia has recurred. Thankfully, it medically converted. This all happened the day before my dad's birthday party. And so of course, mom being mom had a deadline for her cardiologist. "I have to be out tonight because it is THE birthday party tomorrow."

At the party, Mom was in her prime, resplendent in her pina gown, arm in arm with Dad as they went around the tables. She even took to the dance floor a number of times. Ate says it was as if Mom had been re-born. I must admit, I had raised my objections to the high heavens when I found out Mom insisted on going. But now, I am happy that Mom and Dad had a ball. Mom always said, "In everything you do, do it well. Do it with passion. You may very well just have one chance to do it in your lifetime." She is her own words.