Great News at post-op appointments!

Today I had 2 return appointments at Duke: one with the oncologist and one with the surgeon.  All agreed that I am recovering from surgery very well and that I will be able to start situps (yes, I asked) and the second round of chemo 2 weeks from today (April 24th).   I'm off all medications, exercising daily without any problems, and eating my normal diet.   They also said that the 3 lymph nodes that tested cancerous were not unexpected.

The Plan (repeats for a total of 6 cycles):

Day 1:   bloodwork, oncologist appt, IV anti-nausea, IV chemo PLUS chemo pills in morning and at night
Days 2-14:  chemo pills in morning and at night
Days 15-21:   Nothing!  I get a break to recover before next round.

There are many possible side effects, but that doesn't mean I will experience them all.  Since I tolerated the first round of pills so well, hopefully I will fare OK during the next stage.    

Here's a picture of me at the UNC/Maryland lacrosse game last weekend.  Erin and her middle school team played a mini-game during the halftime.   I felt like I should get to know the mascot since Daniel (son #2)
will attend UNC-Chapel Hill in the Fall...