One year ago today, I went to the ER with lower abdominal pain and climbed aboard the SS Ovarian Cancer.
Today I got a haircut, manicure and pedicure. A little pampering to celebrate.
Friday, April 4, 2014
Sunday, February 23, 2014
check up time
In the past two weeks, I had appointments with both the surgeon and the oncologist. Good checkups with both. My hemoglobin is almost back to normal and, as the surgeon said, "no lumps or bumps".
I can hardly believe that it's been six months since my last chemo.
As for 2014, it still sucks. My brother is back in the hospital. I am exhausted form stress on top of stress. (not that I'm making his illness about me)
That's all for now. My life is not very interesting these days.
I can hardly believe that it's been six months since my last chemo.
As for 2014, it still sucks. My brother is back in the hospital. I am exhausted form stress on top of stress. (not that I'm making his illness about me)
That's all for now. My life is not very interesting these days.
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
pixie
I had my first haircut a few days ago. It's a very short, pixie cut. I don't hate it. I colored my hair because it came in all gray and I have never wanted to be gray. There was some discussion with my sister and my daughter who think I should leave it gray. In the end, it's my hair. To me, the haircut and leaving the house without my wig complete my return to normalcy. It's all very exciting!!
In the mean time, 2014 was supposed to be a much better year for me but it isn't starting out that great. On Jan. 2nd, I had a little fender bender. I changed lanes and a car had moved into my blind spot. There was damage to the other car which really needs repair and my car just had a little dent and a broken signal light cover. I wasn't planning to fix my car. Then, just 15 days later, while driving to work, a woman missed the bend in the road, crossed the yellow line and slammed into me. My car was totaled. I'm ok. I have a new (to me) car which I like pretty much. I miss the Subaru but I'm adjusting pretty well. I now drive a Kia Soul. At least it's black.
Now it's February. Hopefully the rest of the year will be better!!!!
In the mean time, 2014 was supposed to be a much better year for me but it isn't starting out that great. On Jan. 2nd, I had a little fender bender. I changed lanes and a car had moved into my blind spot. There was damage to the other car which really needs repair and my car just had a little dent and a broken signal light cover. I wasn't planning to fix my car. Then, just 15 days later, while driving to work, a woman missed the bend in the road, crossed the yellow line and slammed into me. My car was totaled. I'm ok. I have a new (to me) car which I like pretty much. I miss the Subaru but I'm adjusting pretty well. I now drive a Kia Soul. At least it's black.
Now it's February. Hopefully the rest of the year will be better!!!!
Monday, January 27, 2014
Not loving 2014 so far
Why don't I like 2014 so far? Several reasons.
First: Jan. 2nd I had a small accident on the way to work. It was my fault. Although I checked the lane next to me - more than once - a car was there when I started to change lanes. I'm still not sure where he came from. My car had a small dent and a broken cover to the turn signal on the driver's side. I was not planning on having it repaired The other car was dented and scraped down the passenger side, including both doors. No citation was given (phew) but it bothered me.
Second: my brother was in the hospital over the new year holiday and is still recovering.
Third: Jan 17th (fifteen days after my fender bender) I was driving to work when someone crossed the yellow line, slammed into my car, totaling it. I have found a car and pick it up in a couple of days. I will miss my Subaru.
I hope I just got all of the bad shit out of the way in January and the rest of 2014 will be smooth sailing.
"Oh, woe is me"
First: Jan. 2nd I had a small accident on the way to work. It was my fault. Although I checked the lane next to me - more than once - a car was there when I started to change lanes. I'm still not sure where he came from. My car had a small dent and a broken cover to the turn signal on the driver's side. I was not planning on having it repaired The other car was dented and scraped down the passenger side, including both doors. No citation was given (phew) but it bothered me.
Second: my brother was in the hospital over the new year holiday and is still recovering.
Third: Jan 17th (fifteen days after my fender bender) I was driving to work when someone crossed the yellow line, slammed into my car, totaling it. I have found a car and pick it up in a couple of days. I will miss my Subaru.
I hope I just got all of the bad shit out of the way in January and the rest of 2014 will be smooth sailing.
"Oh, woe is me"
Friday, January 3, 2014
Happy New Year
How did you celebrate the new year?
I worked and then visited my brother in the hospital New Year's Eve. I went to bed about 10pm. New Year's Day, I got up early and went to the hospital so I could be there when the doctor(s) came in. Then my wonderful sister-in-law, Michelle and I went to see "Saving Mr. Banks". What a wonderful movie!
My shoulder is much better. I had a cortisone/lidocaine injection. Good stuff.
I think I'm going to make a haircut appointment for mid-January. I'm not sure if my hair will actually be long enough to take my wig off, but it'll need a little evening out. It's growing back rather quickly but it isn't even.
I'm thinking cancer may be a deal breaker when it comes to dating. I was "talking" to a man online and another that I knew already and when they heard that I had cancer, they both pretty much disappeared. Stupid men! But not all men are stupid. I know some wonderful ones. They just aren't available.
Ah well...
I do have some of the greatest kids in the history of the universe! And they decided to give their mom a family vacation for Christmas. How did I get so lucky?
I worked and then visited my brother in the hospital New Year's Eve. I went to bed about 10pm. New Year's Day, I got up early and went to the hospital so I could be there when the doctor(s) came in. Then my wonderful sister-in-law, Michelle and I went to see "Saving Mr. Banks". What a wonderful movie!
My shoulder is much better. I had a cortisone/lidocaine injection. Good stuff.
I think I'm going to make a haircut appointment for mid-January. I'm not sure if my hair will actually be long enough to take my wig off, but it'll need a little evening out. It's growing back rather quickly but it isn't even.
I'm thinking cancer may be a deal breaker when it comes to dating. I was "talking" to a man online and another that I knew already and when they heard that I had cancer, they both pretty much disappeared. Stupid men! But not all men are stupid. I know some wonderful ones. They just aren't available.
Ah well...
I do have some of the greatest kids in the history of the universe! And they decided to give their mom a family vacation for Christmas. How did I get so lucky?
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Happy November!
Getting a little better every day. My hair continues to grow. It's not at all even. I get a laugh when I look at it because I have a teeny tiny Mohawk. My hair is longer on top in the middle of my head than the top sides.
My eczema is out of control. Prednisone didn't clear it up this time. I saw the dermatologist and she suggested some product changes. I go from $2 body wash to $4 bar of soap. When I get to using more shampoo, it'll be expensive too. For now, the samples she gave me will be plenty. So, why am I having this trouble? Dr. Anderson thinks one possibility is that my immune system came back with a vengeance after chemo. Another possibility is that I'm having trouble because my job is to work with the very things to which I am allergic. Bummer. How many people can honestly say they are allergic to their job?
I'm having shoulder pain. I'll go back to the orthopedic doctor soon.
Wow...this all sounds horrible. I'm actually feeling generally well.
Now I just need to come up with better ways to spend my non-work time.
My journey is coming to an end. I'm so grateful. You know how people sit around the table on Thanksgiving and tell what they're thankful for? Well, I'm thankful that I got through this. I'm thankful for all of the wonderful people I have in my life. People who saw to it that I got through this.
My eczema is out of control. Prednisone didn't clear it up this time. I saw the dermatologist and she suggested some product changes. I go from $2 body wash to $4 bar of soap. When I get to using more shampoo, it'll be expensive too. For now, the samples she gave me will be plenty. So, why am I having this trouble? Dr. Anderson thinks one possibility is that my immune system came back with a vengeance after chemo. Another possibility is that I'm having trouble because my job is to work with the very things to which I am allergic. Bummer. How many people can honestly say they are allergic to their job?
I'm having shoulder pain. I'll go back to the orthopedic doctor soon.
Wow...this all sounds horrible. I'm actually feeling generally well.
Now I just need to come up with better ways to spend my non-work time.
My journey is coming to an end. I'm so grateful. You know how people sit around the table on Thanksgiving and tell what they're thankful for? Well, I'm thankful that I got through this. I'm thankful for all of the wonderful people I have in my life. People who saw to it that I got through this.
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Italics
I thought it would be fun to type in italics. I was right.
My eyelashes are long enough that I'm using mascara again. Oddly, the left ones are longer than the right. I'm sure everything will even out.
My hair always grew quickly and it looks like that has not changed. It's not nearly ready to be styled or even exposed but I think I'll be able to take off the wig sooner than I originally expected.
I've stopped losing weight and even put back on a pound. This does not make me happy. I'm on prednisone for my eczema so I'm always hungry. I'm hoping I can keep the gain to this one pound and concentrating on losing the last 8-10 when I'm off of steroids.
My sense of taste is returning gradually. I still don't love chocolate though.
Oh, and remember the dreaded neuropathy? Not so bad now. I occasionally have the "itchy" symptom and a couple of localized numbish spots but it's mostly gone.
I think it may be time to stop thinking of myself as being sick. YAY
I've been out dancing and tonight will be the first time out being Patrick's only dance partner. This means I'll dance a lot more. I believe I am ready!!!!
On my list of things to do:
lose a little more weight
increase exercise to increase energy
work towards returning to the racquetball court by the first of the year
learn to make twisters (perhaps not compatible with #1)
My eyelashes are long enough that I'm using mascara again. Oddly, the left ones are longer than the right. I'm sure everything will even out.
My hair always grew quickly and it looks like that has not changed. It's not nearly ready to be styled or even exposed but I think I'll be able to take off the wig sooner than I originally expected.
I've stopped losing weight and even put back on a pound. This does not make me happy. I'm on prednisone for my eczema so I'm always hungry. I'm hoping I can keep the gain to this one pound and concentrating on losing the last 8-10 when I'm off of steroids.
My sense of taste is returning gradually. I still don't love chocolate though.
Oh, and remember the dreaded neuropathy? Not so bad now. I occasionally have the "itchy" symptom and a couple of localized numbish spots but it's mostly gone.
I think it may be time to stop thinking of myself as being sick. YAY
I've been out dancing and tonight will be the first time out being Patrick's only dance partner. This means I'll dance a lot more. I believe I am ready!!!!
On my list of things to do:
lose a little more weight
increase exercise to increase energy
work towards returning to the racquetball court by the first of the year
learn to make twisters (perhaps not compatible with #1)
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