Stronger

When Iva was in Vienna, she was mostly bedridden. She was too weak to sit up for any period of time, and definitely too weak to walk. After her surgery, she had briefly been able to walk up and down the hallways at the hospital, but as soon as she started chemotherapy, she was back in bed. When she left the hospital at the end of her chemotherapy, she was still too weak and debilitated to walk or sit. She was too nauseous to eat. She vomited all the time. Her heart felt like it was beating too slowly to support her movements, and she couldn't breathe too deeply. This was Iva's idea of chemotherapy.

When we went to visit her in Vienna and in the weeks following, I kept promising that here in the US it would be different. Not only would she not be in the hospital while getting her chemo, but that she would feel immensely better. She would not be vomiting all the time. She would not be so weak that she couldn't leave her bed. I was about 90% sure of that based on the people I have known who go through chemo and finish without having lost any weight (even though some of them had a lot to loose.) Well anyway, I don't think she much believed me. But a couple of nights ago, as she was finishing her dinner, which consisted of a pork chop, rice, spinach, and bread, I enjoyed an "I-told-you-so" moment. She flashed me one of her gorgeous smiles (for those of you who know Iva--you guys know what I am talking about.)

And then this week, even though she is getting chemotherapy, we have witnessed many improvements in her level of strength. She got into the car all by herself a few days ago. While sitting on the couch, she was able to raise her feet off the floor onto the couch. Two weeks ago she could not do these things. What a blessing to have her here in the US with us!

So she finished these first 5 days of treatment. Now is a 3 week rest, and then another 5 days of chemicals being pumped into her body. Then all kinds of tests to see if this whole thing is working. The suspense is neverending!