Bring on the weekend
Topic: September 2005
So, now I'm thinking about food and not feeling too bad... that's a good sign. Oh, I asked the doc about the rash and he didn't think it was chemo related, whatever... it's just strange that it occurs about 10 days after infusion... but since he didn't seemed concerned; I won't either.

As I was driving into work this morning, I was thinking how my life seems to be sounding like a bizzare soap opera, with the fire and all... well at least I haven't experienced any multiple personalities or found any dead people that came back to life. My mom, dad and I were at a picnic thingy a week or 2 ago and we each won a prize at the raffle, so we figured that we are now on a winning streak. Although I can't see how winning a $19 knife set; a 1/2 set of golf balls (can you believe they didn't even include the entire set in the box); or a gift certificate to a pizza parlor that hasn't even opened yet a "prize". Maybe that was the end to the bad luck -- kinda like the bad-luck booby prize.

Working my way back to "normal"
Topic: September 2005
Yesterday I was feeling barfy, so I left work at noon and went home and slept. Ah.... DH (that would be "darling husband") brought me some soup. I don't worry too much about eating anymore because I know after about a week my appetite comes back and I eat. So the cycle is: chemo week: don't eat much; week after chemo: eat things that don't give me heartburn (i.e., stay away from tomatoe based stuff and spicy foods - so that means ice cream is good); week before chemo: eat and drink anything.

It's really cold not having hair! I don't know how bald guys stand it. I guess they get used to it becuase it probably is a more gradual loss. I think I'm gonna start wearing those sweater "gangsta" beanies! As far as the hairloss bit, I'm keeping my eye on the end game - thinking about new hair and if it will be different. I can't wait... only 3 more months of this.

Still haven't had any progress on the house fire restoration.... the government must be involved in some way, nothing's happening; just a bunch of finger pointing! I'm glad I got my sister's house to camp out at!

Three down; Five to go
Topic: September 2005
Yesterday was treatment no. 3. Nothing unpredictable. Saw the doc, said my blood work ws great. what I did learn is that my blood count goes back to normal between each treatment; so it is not like it is "bad" all the time, just for a period of about a week between treatments. So, it starts out normal, then slowly goes down to low, then crawls it's way back up to normal, then they infuse me. It takes about 3 hours for the infusion because they do each drug one at a time. My sister came along and did some homework and visited, then and DH came too. Afterwards we went to dinner, but I didn't eat too much; but wanted to eat something before the nausea and drrrrrrrrrry mouth set in. So, today, I'm tired, my mouth is dry and oh, aunt flo showed up with her luggage, so there's probably some PMS mixed in.... oh great!

This past weekend, my sister cindy and I went to Palm Springs and shopped until we ran out of money and ate until we had to unzip our jeans. It was a good weekend.

Oh, I almost forgot, I stopped at the LA County fair to check on my entries, and well.... drumroll... I got first place on each item. My jacket, shirt and purse (which I trew together and used an old belt for a handle) all won a blue ribbon. I was very excited. But, I was most excited for my friend who's entry won three ribbons, Blue/First, Best of Show and a Special Award from a local Quilt Shop. She wasn't with me and didn't want me to spill the beans and tell her and I could hardly contain myself. Here's a picture of her quilt which was hand and machine quilted with trupunto









here's a picture of my jacket, taken with my cellphone, so it is not a good quality, but you get an idea. It was all tailored and lined.










I can't wait to get it back, since it's the only jacket I have since everything was packed up until they fix the upstairs. Which, still hasn't had any progress, but I won't ruin my good mood with THAT story.

MIA - Aunt Flo
So, this is the first time since puberty that Aunt Flo has not shown up on her monthly visit. I was told she might skip town during the chemo, but didn't thing she'd bail out so quickly. Boy, what a useless visitor she has been anyway, so I suppose it's about time that freeloader checked out.
Now, that I mentioned her name however, she'll probably show up on my doorstep tomorrow with a huge suitcase. um.....

I also got a itchy rash on my chest and upper back. I think it's from the chemo because I had it about 10 days after last treatment too, although i couldn't find anything specific about it when I googled. I'll have to check with the doc when I go next Monday. Other then that, i'm doing good. The next infusion is Monday... so next week should be predictable. Tired, cranky, waves of nausea, and heartburn.

The fire cleanup is going slooooooooooooowly. [FEMA must be in charge] Yesterday they scraped the popcorn off the ceilings. Abestos abatement for $5,000 -- what a rip! I'm trying to find out the next step, but you know those contractors, can't pin them down... so I keep nagging; but I'm about ready to find a new one. but, in the end, I am grateful not to be in the South, having lost everything. Can't even imagine what that would be like.

well, if you don't hear from me for the next few days, don't panic. I am taking tomorrow off... going to the Fair to see if I won any ribbons on my sewing items; then heading out of town with my sister. And besides, no computer at home -- it's packed up until the clean up is done.

TGIF
Topic: September 2005
So, it's official, "from the day of diagnosis you are a cancer survivor". ... now I can wonder about something else.

so, I did pretty good this week. My dry mouth is gone, if I stay away from spicey or tomato based food the indigestion isn't bad and I haven't been too tired. And I'm looking foward to a 3 day weekend.

I am acquiring a rather large collection of hats, and I think that by the time my hair comes back, my collection will be very large. I'd probably go bald most of the time if it wasn't for the inside air conditioning on my head or the hot sun outside. When my head gets cold it feels like I have wet hair. At nite, I like to put the covers over my head. It is amazing how much your hair insulates your body.

Since I'm in a music mood lately, here's another my life in song fact:
the song DH and I danced to at our wedding was Van Morrison's "Have I Told you Lately". We actually saw Van last year at the Hollywood Bowl and he was really, really good.


Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no-one above you
Fill my heart with gladness
Take away my sadness
Ease my troubles, that's what you do.
On the morning sun in all it's glory
Greets the day with hope and comfort too
And you fill my life with laughter
You can make it better
Easy my troubles, that's what you do.
There's a love that's divine
And it's yours and it's mine
Like the sun at the end of the day
We should give thanks and pray to the one.
Have I told you lately that I love you
Have I told you there's no-one above you
Fill my heart with gladness
Take away my sadness
Ease my troubles, that's what you do.
There's a love that's divine
And it's yours and it's mine
And it shines the sun
At the end of the day
We will give thanks and pray
To the one.