BOSTON -- It's been a little more than two weeks since my surgery, and I want my life back! I am not cleared to drive until three weeks post surgery. I can't wait to get that freedom back.

The doctor said I can return to work after four weeks. And I really can't wait until the six-week mark when I can finally lift my kids again! The pain gets less bothersome each day. I'm mostly just tired and nap just about every afternoon.

Life is definitely different at home. The great news is that we have tons of support from our family and friends.

The kids seem to be doing well. My now-7-month-old is so easy. She's a dream baby and has no problem going from person to person. She's also a great sleeper. Cecilia is easy to take care of and fun to be around.

Madeline doesn't seem too bothered by the situation so far. Every morning she asks me if my belly feels better. I always tell her "better each day." She smiles and that's it. We have had some disruptions with her sleeping due to all the commotion around the house. We have a lot of visitors and activity. It's definitely hard to maintain our usual home atmosphere.

Brendan's been particularly bothered by that. We've agreed to limit phone calls from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. We're also trying to stick to Madeline's nap/bedtime schedule. Otherwise it's like every day is a holiday or special occasion.

Brendan and I finally got some alone time last weekend. Very important! We left the kids with my parents and saw "Queen" and had dinner alone. It was nice to make sure we were on the same page about all that's happening. We're both trying to get a handle on how much cancer has changed our lives already and what we can expect in the future.

Speaking of the future, I start chemo treatments on Monday. The schedule looks rather daunting.

The chemo will last for 24 consecutive weeks, but will be broken up into two blocks of 12 weeks each. The chemotherapy has been extended to 24 weeks because they have added the drug Herceptin to the regimen. My tumor is what they call triple positive. Estrogen, progesterone and Her2 positive. Herceptin, in combination with the other drugs, can be taxing on my heart so they need to spread the treatment out over more time. I have to have heart scans every three months.

During the first 12 week session I will be given two drugs referred to as A.C. (Adriamycin and Cytoxan) These drugs will be given once every three weeks. So I will get them a total of four times. The infusion takes three to four hours. This drug combination may be hard on my body. Thankfully, they have good anti-nausea drugs to help keep this under control. The oncology nurse expects I will start losing my hair just before going into the second treatment of A.C., approximately two or three weeks into this process.

I went to P.K. Walsh in Needham, Mass., a few weeks ago to get the wig purchase out of the way when I was feeling better. Even that trip was overwhelming. Real hair? Synthetic? Combo of both? The quality was better than I expected.

The Walshes (mom and daughter) were super nice and helped me pick out a rather pretty human hair wig. I had it cut and colored to look like my existing hair. I'm physically prepared to lose my hair, but I've heard emotionally it can be very difficult. How do you really prepare for your hair to fall out at any time? People have told me stories of it coming out in clumps at the grocery store, on the pillow, clogging the shower drain. Ugh.

After the first round of chemo, I will then receive the drugs Taxol and Herceptin. They will be administered every week for 12 weeks. This infusion also takes three to four hours. These drugs are much easier on your body. I won't be nauseous and as tired as before. My hair should start to grow back then. The difficult part of this session will be the weekly trip to Dana Farber for the infusion.

After the 24 weeks of chemo, I will continue with infusions of Herceptin. The schedule will change back to once every three weeks for an additional 40 weeks. The infusion of Herceptin alone will take approximately one hour. Then it's on to radiation.

One day at a time.

I would like to say thank you to all of you who have sent e-mails, cards and Mass cards praying for my return to good health. I do believe in the power of prayer. You've read above what science will do to try to cure me, but it's my faith that truly allows me to stay positive and hopeful.