Reflections 2/13/2020: Well, Ed and I decided to call my chemo infusions “Hammertime!” (Must be said with much swagger!) Started off great swaddled in the Angie’s custom knit blankie and family surrounding me as a pep squad! (Anthony even shaved off his gorgeous beard and hair to be the mascot of baldness!) Did great until one of the drugs triggered the weirdest reaction I have ever experienced. My chest and throat erupted in a burning sensation that traveled up to my head like a rocket that sent sparks of flashing lights all around me! Enveloped in starry spangles I suddenly felt sick to my stomach and unloaded my meager breakfast (luckily in a bag). The nurses were great and stopped the drip immediately, pumping fluids into my system to dilute the impact of the chemo. They had me take a break to recover, then asked if I wanted to continue. Crossroads time. A shot at life, or continue on my road to death? Still seeing stars, I chose life and on we went. To my huge surprise, no more weird reactions! Got through another whole bag of life-potentializing poison! And to my even bigger surprise, discovered that the spike-covered football in my belly had been de-spiked for the first time in 3 months!! No sharp pains! Chemo already working! God, I do feel like I am on a new path toward life! How incredibly hopeful that feels!! Thank You for giving me the courage to continue the course toward healing! And reducing the pain so I can resume some semblance of life in the meantime! (P.S. The flashing stars were actually kind of cute!)