week One in Israel

It is Friday Nov 12 and I have been here since Monday. Ayala was still here when i arrived and the 4 of us had a lovely meal and spent the afternoon together. Ayala took the 6 pm train to Ben Gurion and Tuesday morning we hit the ground running. First stop the Italian hospital to prepare Mom for radiation. A very grumpy technician gvae Mom a tatoo, par for the course for treatment but we did not know this!!! It just looks like a few small black dots now, for measuring purposes. Then we continued on to Rambam for Mom's first chemo. We met first with the oncologist then a secretary and finally Mom's chemo nurse, Allah. We were told not to get on her bad side... dont see how- she is a sweetie. While waiting for them to mix Mom's chemo cocktail they forgot to tell us we could get food, we were very hungry!!! Allah started the drip with magic fingers, mom didnt feel even a pinch. The drip was cold but we brought extra bankets. As mom began Dad and I went to Aroma in the lobby to get food. Dad is chatting away with mom and meanwhile I took a dive so bad on the wet floor the whole restaurant saw- EXCEPT DAD!!! It ws actualy pretty funny... but it hurt!!! The manager gave us lunch free as a result. FUnny a guy next to me didnt help me up, but kept saying under his breath, "call a doctor, call a doctor" LOL! Back up to the chemo room where not just us but many were eating their lunch, chatting and listening to music. It is a large room with recliner type chairs in one area and then beds across the way. One whole wall is windows looking out on the beautiful Meditteranean. We ate. mom listened to music and even napped. This was a long emotionally hard day but we got through it, I came home and called JOe and cried while talking to him on the porch... was afraid to cry in front of Mom- but she told me it is ok.. whew. Wednesday radiation again and we had visits from Sveta, Anat and Aunt Chana. It was very nice! Chana brought wonderful food and Sveta made my savtas lasdushky for me- YUM!!!!!! Thursday radiation again in the am but it was a harder day- Mom had begun to get side effects, swelling, sores on her tongue and tiredness. Thankfully  a family friend recommended honey for Mom's tongue and it definitely is helping!!! Todah L' Yaffa!! Today- friday, radiation, no new side effects and mom didn't nap today. We had a lovely Shabbat dinner and we have 2 treatment free days. Mom's attitude is positive and full of chutzpah as always and she is exersising everyday. She has gained weight and is eating more now to make up for days they said she may not feel like eating. She is a strong woman- Thank God!!!!! So happy to be in Israel, the weather is beautiful and the family time is sweet. Your prayers are greatly appreciated!!! Love from Israel- Dafna