Just call me Puff Mattie...

I've been taking a steroid called Prednisone ever since I started chemo.
After taking it for so many weeks, I've found that it's made me a bit puffy.
It's especially noticeable in my face, but I notice it in my shoulders and
over most of my body. You can probably notice it in the pictures during
the past few weeks.

The chemo nurses have noticed it as well, so there's nothing to be
alarmed about. I take 3 pills each even day (like today, the 30th), but
I'll be taking less and less of them once week 9 is here. Until then, I'll
just accept my puffiness. Puffy people are supposed to be jolly, right?

I had chemo on Wednesday and Thursday this week and it hit
me pretty hard. I didn't have a fever or feel as bad as other weeks, but
it stayed with me each day until just about today (Sunday). I had a
double-dose of chemo (on weeks 4, 7, and 11, I get an additional
chemo drug which takes 2 days to inject), so I wasn't too surprised
at my reaction to it. Could have been worse.

Well, it's the end of the year, and what a year it's been:
- a business I started a few years ago failed
- my personal life hit troubled times
- I lost my ability to walk
- I was diagnosed with cancer

Those are the big and bad things that happened. Here are some good things:
- My Hodkins can be curable (I will survive!)
- I'm using a cane to walk and can drive
- I have a lot of incredible friends and family who love me dearly
- I have some good business prospects for next year
- I have two nephews that I'm ready to meet once I can travel
- I look forward to loving new people

Lets end this message on a good note. After all, a new year is just
around the corner, a year that will offer new hope, love and opportunities
for all of us. Let's run head first into 2002 make it the best ever!

I pray that each of you takes the time to love those around you these next
few days and weeks. Let each of them know how much they mean to you.
Don't let another day pass without expressing yourself. You'll feel better
and they'll feel better.

Have a glorious new year. I'm 2/3 done with chemo Wednesday.

m

ps. No sympathy notes. I'm moving on to next year already. :)