Patrick Eakes got it right: Jinni Hoggard is the woman.
Patrick signed up to be on our help list some time ago but suggested at the time that perhaps he would to hold his efforts in reserve in case the shine might rub off of Jinni's cancer for our regular crew. Jinni had the pleasure of Patrick's company today because he volunteered to take her to her bi-weekly chemo treatment.
It's good to get some fresh blood in on the efforts of helping my family through this crap, but I am proud to say there has been no wavering of support from anyone on our home's team. If anything, our support system has grown since Jinni's breast cancer was diagnosed November 3rd (read the comments) and during the curing processwhich began just over twelve weeks ago.
Today was the last of her three Taxol infusions, which were subsequent to her three Epirubicin sessions. On deck are three fortnight spaced rounds of her final poison: Cytoxan. After that... surgery to remove whatever might be left of her breast and lymph tumors which have both been shrinking all along.
After surgery will follow another regimen of chemo and then perhaps radiation. But for now we are copping Scarlett O'Hara's attitude: We won't think about that today... We'll think about that tomorrow.
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Epilogue: Cancer and its treatment can become routine, I find. I looked at the calendar on "What's Up With Jinni" and noticed I really haven't written about how she's doing for two weeks. For those of you who are looking to this space to keep you posted on our girl's progress, I apologize and will try to do better.
Jinni is really doing quite well. No kidding.
She is as bald as a... well, she's bald. She has not worn her wig even once. One night last week we were going out to dinner with some friends and she told me she was finally going to wear "Caroline" - the 'cranial prosthesis'. She slipped it on, fussed with it for about 30 seconds, then put it back on its perch. "Too itchy and hot", she said while reaching for one her Gypsy looking scarves, "I'm tired of these, too...", as she deftly wrapped her pretty head in the fabric.
I was relieved that she decided not to wear "Caroline" on our date. I would have felt like I was going out with someone who was not my wife. Strange how things change and how we adapt to the changes.
11:11:15 PM  
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