Here we go.

Today will be the first of eight cycles of chemo for Michael. We knew that he would likely be starting this week, but weren't sure it would be today. He goes in to his oncologist's office every week, whether or not he is currently undergoing chemo, to have his PICC line flushed out and to have blood drawn. He was supposed to start chemo two weeks ago, but he had some issues, and his oncologist wanted to wait a bit. Michael had a CT scan about a week and a half ago to try to determine the source of this mystery pain he's had now for several weeks, and the scan showed nothing unusual. So he went in to Dr. A's this morning to have his PICC line maintained, etc., and figured he would tell him to come back tomorrow to start chemo. But apparently, Dr. A decided to go ahead with it today.

So, every other week for the next 16 weeks, Michael will go in to his oncologist's office and sit with an IV drip of chemotherapy for a good part of the day. He will then be sent home from those visits with an infusion pump which will continue to pump the chemo into his bloodstream for 48 hours.

Here's what it feels like for me: you know that nervous anxiety you get when you're slowly cranking up the hill on a roller coaster, knowing that once you reach the top there is going to be some kind of drop, but you're just not sure how steep or far the fall will be? That's what this feels like to me.

I can't say what it feels like for Michael. He's got a really positive attitude about the whole thing which has, and I'm sure will continue to, serve him well.