Wednesday, September 29, 2010
When written word doesn't cut it
Writing these last few days has been excruciatingly hard. I couldn't find the honesty in my words so I decided to turn on the camera and talk. Just tell you what is in my heart. These are quite long, almost an hour in total. I'll understand if you don't watch them. It was just the best way to share my heart with you right now. Missing you all and feeling SO MUCH LOVE.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Imerging triumphant (and itchy) from the great fever dabacle of 2010
Sorry for my mum status this week ya'll. Trust that if I could have written anything other than
'adlksjaeorieew0900 droooolll da;lfdka8r902[asdjfakl cupcake?cjakl; cajklda;sfoewruioowaerjkds;lkajsdf ITCHYMOTHERFUCKER GET OUT OF MY ROOM!"
I would have. Although methinks that would have made a great entry.....
Here's the down and dirty on whats been up the last uh...week (some of this is redundant if you've read my post from several days ago):
I was taken to the ER with a fever (101.2) on both Friday and Saturday nights last week, the first of those two nights (Friday) I was sent home when the fever broke. Saturday night the fever spiked higher and brought a serious sense of 'uh, this don't feel so good in mah body....something in't right..." and I was admitted to good ole G9. Also, my mouth exploded into what felt exactly like mucositis all over again (but didn't look like ANYTHING except that my lips were swollen, weirdness). They started pumping me full of narcotics (thanks intake nurse for battling the on call douchbag uh doctor to finally get me some relief here) and antibiotics. On Sunday I waited around miserably for the 'audlt service' doctors (i'm no longer being treated by the peds doctors even though i'm on their floor) to come in, shrug their shoulders and tell me that my blood cultures hadn't come back yet but that they have no idea what is going on. Mmkay, cool. I slept and cried like a wimpy kid for the rest of the day.
Monday rolled around (after a hellishly feverish night) and yay! Happy Birthday to me:) Thank you EVERYONE for the cards and gifts and videos and love you remind me of the REALLY important stuff: love and friendship and loyalty. If I may say so, one of the brightest lights this day was the huge envelope of cards from my students at Chestnutwold- tears of joy for the first time in long a while. Thanks C-wold friends for taking the time and energy to put that together, it was a very special thing:) A big box of gorgeous cupcakes arrived from T.B., J.B. and little cutie H.B so a HUGE thank you to them:) MMMMM cupcakes.....!!!!
Funny story: because of feeling generally shitty thanks to whatever was in my system, and the gross effects of the antibiotics and antifugals and unable to eat properly over my monster lips, I hadn't had any real food in about three days by my birthday. You probably have felt that "omg I neeeeeeed to eat but I freaking CAN'T KILL ME NOW at some point in your self, and know how uncomfortable that can be, so I figured enough is enough and requested something to help my appetite. THe nurse started shaking the doctor-god tree and this is what came down from upon high "Oh, she can wait at least another day, let's see how today and tomorrow goes and then we'll try something." UHM WHAT. You should have seen the nurses' face when she came in with that gem. As calmly as I could I let her know that that answer is not acceptable and to please see if there is anything else she can do (I always feel bad putting the nurses in this position but if the doctors would pull their heads out of their golden asses and strap on some sympathy we wouldn't have this problem). She hurried off and a half hour or so later showed up with Megace (there's the real spelling!) to stim my appetite. IMPORTANT NOTE TO DOCTORS: Pain, hunger, inability to sleep, effects on bathroom habits and extreme fatigue are NOT CONDUCIVE TO HEALING YOU SADISTS. GET OFF OF YOUR MEDICAL PHILOSOPHY HIGH HORSE AND TAKE THIS ADVICE:
K? k.
The next few day or two were pretty uneventful (read: me sprawled in bed with zero energy sweating and grumpy while waiting for them to FIX IT) except for a moment of 'oh hell no' when the idea of removing my CVC and replacing it with a PICC line (goes in your arm) came up. Basically all of my blood cultures and clear meaning there is not evidence of bacterial infection anywhere, fungal cultures take too long and they can't really test for a virus (which is what lots of this probably was), so to try to minimize the spread of phantom infection, they wanted to chop me up again. I can't quite pinpoint why I nearly lost my marbles at this idea (mostly fear) but it just didn't seem appropriate. Something like using a chainsaw to kill a gnat. That idea was nixed after I managed to keep my body temperature stable for 24 hours (whew glad for that Olympic temperature stabilizing training...uh). After one more night of hell when suddenly my skin GVHD, which has been all but gone, EXPLODED HELL FIRE ALL OVER MY BODY (I am profoundly sorry to the nursing aide who came in and turned on the lights to ask me if I had had anything to drink at 2:30 for the language that sprung forth from me, really I was an asshole and you didn't deserve that. though it was a dumb question..), they finally looked at my tomato face and scary rash boobs, scratched their goofy heads and went "OOOOOOOHHHH, this might all be GVHD" and appear to be FIXING IT! I've been given an ultrasound of my liver (whose enzymes have been stealthily multiplying and sneaking out) which showed no GVHD there, just a sassy reaction to the billions of poisons being pumped into me, and a GIANT cup of pills to swallow every night, two humungoGVHD of the skin looks like? Well, you've come to the right place because I'm an over sharer like that:
I'm not even going to tell you where that is (sideboob) but will say that yes, it hurts as much as it looks like it does. No one ever showed me a picture of GVHD that what anything OTHER than the really extreme scary stuff. This is painful but not extreme.
Also, because of the high does of steroids they have me on, my blood sugar has gone apeshit resulting in my first ever insulin shot last night. While I know this is temporary and there is nothing I can do in my diet right now to help the situation, I found that the idea of the insulin shot REALLY freaked me out. The idea of surrendering and maybe also changing my attitude a bit, has been a big adjustment this go-round. The rose-colored glasses are....tilted down my nose a bit, not gone though... and things are looking a little more like I expected them to look before heading down here. yes, these last few days were discouraging (I've don't everything I'm supposed to be doing and I STILL ended up back here?) and angering (fuck this. this is NOT fair) to sad ( I want my old life back) but I'm working hard on remember those principles and goals that I set so firmly coming into this. This is momentary and all of the above is true. Now what are you gonna do about it?
So Pappa bear went home on Tuesday and P flew back to PA last night for a few weeks (lots of crying involved in that goodbye) it's just me and Momma here for a little bit. We're thinking of some very girly redecoration to the apartment when I get sprung...think college dorm room gawdy....yesssssssss and some good old-fashion mother daughter bonding. It's looking like I'll be sprung on Sunday (maybe) or Monday (probably) AND the weather in Houston next week looks (gasp) really nice!
There have been cards and voicemails (particularly voicemails) these last few days that have helped to take me from a place of really really really scared and angry, closer home to a place of acceptance and determination. Thank you all for keeping my head on straight and helping with my little grump slump.Thank you dear friends. I miss you with all my heart and am so thankful for your steady loving presence. Much Love.
'adlksjaeorieew0900 droooolll da;lfdka8r902[asdjfakl cupcake?cjakl; cajklda;sfoewruioowaerjkds;lkajsdf ITCHYMOTHERFUCKER GET OUT OF MY ROOM!"
I would have. Although methinks that would have made a great entry.....
Here's the down and dirty on whats been up the last uh...week (some of this is redundant if you've read my post from several days ago):
I was taken to the ER with a fever (101.2) on both Friday and Saturday nights last week, the first of those two nights (Friday) I was sent home when the fever broke. Saturday night the fever spiked higher and brought a serious sense of 'uh, this don't feel so good in mah body....something in't right..." and I was admitted to good ole G9. Also, my mouth exploded into what felt exactly like mucositis all over again (but didn't look like ANYTHING except that my lips were swollen, weirdness). They started pumping me full of narcotics (thanks intake nurse for battling the on call douchbag uh doctor to finally get me some relief here) and antibiotics. On Sunday I waited around miserably for the 'audlt service' doctors (i'm no longer being treated by the peds doctors even though i'm on their floor) to come in, shrug their shoulders and tell me that my blood cultures hadn't come back yet but that they have no idea what is going on. Mmkay, cool. I slept and cried like a wimpy kid for the rest of the day.
Monday rolled around (after a hellishly feverish night) and yay! Happy Birthday to me:) Thank you EVERYONE for the cards and gifts and videos and love you remind me of the REALLY important stuff: love and friendship and loyalty. If I may say so, one of the brightest lights this day was the huge envelope of cards from my students at Chestnutwold- tears of joy for the first time in long a while. Thanks C-wold friends for taking the time and energy to put that together, it was a very special thing:) A big box of gorgeous cupcakes arrived from T.B., J.B. and little cutie H.B so a HUGE thank you to them:) MMMMM cupcakes.....!!!!
Funny story: because of feeling generally shitty thanks to whatever was in my system, and the gross effects of the antibiotics and antifugals and unable to eat properly over my monster lips, I hadn't had any real food in about three days by my birthday. You probably have felt that "omg I neeeeeeed to eat but I freaking CAN'T KILL ME NOW at some point in your self, and know how uncomfortable that can be, so I figured enough is enough and requested something to help my appetite. THe nurse started shaking the doctor-god tree and this is what came down from upon high "Oh, she can wait at least another day, let's see how today and tomorrow goes and then we'll try something." UHM WHAT. You should have seen the nurses' face when she came in with that gem. As calmly as I could I let her know that that answer is not acceptable and to please see if there is anything else she can do (I always feel bad putting the nurses in this position but if the doctors would pull their heads out of their golden asses and strap on some sympathy we wouldn't have this problem). She hurried off and a half hour or so later showed up with Megace (there's the real spelling!) to stim my appetite. IMPORTANT NOTE TO DOCTORS: Pain, hunger, inability to sleep, effects on bathroom habits and extreme fatigue are NOT CONDUCIVE TO HEALING YOU SADISTS. GET OFF OF YOUR MEDICAL PHILOSOPHY HIGH HORSE AND TAKE THIS ADVICE:
K? k.
The next few day or two were pretty uneventful (read: me sprawled in bed with zero energy sweating and grumpy while waiting for them to FIX IT) except for a moment of 'oh hell no' when the idea of removing my CVC and replacing it with a PICC line (goes in your arm) came up. Basically all of my blood cultures and clear meaning there is not evidence of bacterial infection anywhere, fungal cultures take too long and they can't really test for a virus (which is what lots of this probably was), so to try to minimize the spread of phantom infection, they wanted to chop me up again. I can't quite pinpoint why I nearly lost my marbles at this idea (mostly fear) but it just didn't seem appropriate. Something like using a chainsaw to kill a gnat. That idea was nixed after I managed to keep my body temperature stable for 24 hours (whew glad for that Olympic temperature stabilizing training...uh). After one more night of hell when suddenly my skin GVHD, which has been all but gone, EXPLODED HELL FIRE ALL OVER MY BODY (I am profoundly sorry to the nursing aide who came in and turned on the lights to ask me if I had had anything to drink at 2:30 for the language that sprung forth from me, really I was an asshole and you didn't deserve that. though it was a dumb question..), they finally looked at my tomato face and scary rash boobs, scratched their goofy heads and went "OOOOOOOHHHH, this might all be GVHD" and appear to be FIXING IT! I've been given an ultrasound of my liver (whose enzymes have been stealthily multiplying and sneaking out) which showed no GVHD there, just a sassy reaction to the billions of poisons being pumped into me, and a GIANT cup of pills to swallow every night, two humungoGVHD of the skin looks like? Well, you've come to the right place because I'm an over sharer like that:
Also, because of the high does of steroids they have me on, my blood sugar has gone apeshit resulting in my first ever insulin shot last night. While I know this is temporary and there is nothing I can do in my diet right now to help the situation, I found that the idea of the insulin shot REALLY freaked me out. The idea of surrendering and maybe also changing my attitude a bit, has been a big adjustment this go-round. The rose-colored glasses are....tilted down my nose a bit, not gone though... and things are looking a little more like I expected them to look before heading down here. yes, these last few days were discouraging (I've don't everything I'm supposed to be doing and I STILL ended up back here?) and angering (fuck this. this is NOT fair) to sad ( I want my old life back) but I'm working hard on remember those principles and goals that I set so firmly coming into this. This is momentary and all of the above is true. Now what are you gonna do about it?
So Pappa bear went home on Tuesday and P flew back to PA last night for a few weeks (lots of crying involved in that goodbye) it's just me and Momma here for a little bit. We're thinking of some very girly redecoration to the apartment when I get sprung...think college dorm room gawdy....yesssssssss and some good old-fashion mother daughter bonding. It's looking like I'll be sprung on Sunday (maybe) or Monday (probably) AND the weather in Houston next week looks (gasp) really nice!
There have been cards and voicemails (particularly voicemails) these last few days that have helped to take me from a place of really really really scared and angry, closer home to a place of acceptance and determination. Thank you all for keeping my head on straight and helping with my little grump slump.Thank you dear friends. I miss you with all my heart and am so thankful for your steady loving presence. Much Love.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Gratitude List
On this, my 25th Birthday, there is no other way I can think to celebrate than to express my gratitude for the people and things that have helped me get to this age. Those people and things that have showered blessings upon blessing on me. Here is my Gratitude List. One thing for every year of my life. They are not listed by number because these things cannot be ranked.
* I am grateful to my Mom and Dad for giving me life, for bringing me up in love and always being there to lift me up with advice, a smile and a hug.
* I am grateful for my sister and brother who have been best friends, worst enemies, partners in crime and always always there by my side.
* I am grateful for my husband: a strong, loving man who stood the test of "for better or worse, for richer or poorer and in sickness and in health' even before we stood up to take those vows.
* I am grateful for my Nan for her strong and steadfast love, wise advice and generous heart.
* I am grateful to my Aunts and Uncles for their love, support, prayers, hilarious cards and generosity.
* I am grateful for my cousins, first and extended, for their kinship, love, warm facebook posts, talent and ties that bind.
* I am grateful for the generations of Slavins and Romans who have come before, some I've known and many I've not had the chance to be blessed with, their gifts swell in my veins.
* I am grateful for my donor, who selflessly endured a painful procedure for a girl he doesn't know, simply so that I may have a second chance at life.
* I am grateful for my Mother, Father and Brother-in-Law for accepting me into their family and treating me like their own daughter, with love and unending kindness.
* I am grateful for the rest of the extended Esposto family (all sur names included) for the laughs, the love, the friendship and the feeling of togetherness.
* I am grateful to my coworkers who have become dear friends, some like family, for their generosity in time, resources, shoulders to cry and laugh on during the tough days and for the piles of cards that never fail to brighten my day.
* I am grateful for my yoga teacher and kula who have become so much more than that, so much more than just friends. You are part of my spirit and heart and you feed the lifeblood within and keep me humble.
*I am grateful for old friends (especially that special 15 year marathon BFF) who have grown into my heart like a tree grows roots into the earth and who have provided more good advice and good times than anyone deserves.
* I am grateful for new friends who have walked into my life with bright smiles and open hearts and the promise of years to come.
* I am grateful for lost friends, those who have taught so much about friendship and self and communication.
* I am grateful for the friends I barely know, those who read this blog and comment with love and support, you reach out in the same way as friends of decades and teach humility.
* I am grateful to my doctors and nurses for their expert and compassionate care.
* I am grateful for the scientists and researchers who pioneered the drugs, equipment and techniques that keep me alive.
* I am grateful for the patients who have come before me, those that pushed for better care, more answers and those whose lives taught those doctors and nurses and researchers valuable information so that I may benefit someday.
* I am grateful for the sun that shines through my window, and on glorious days of freedom on my face, for the rain that washes the air, for the wind that cools the heat, for the clouds that speckle the sky and give us something beautiful to look at.
* I am grateful for the three embryos sitting in deep freeze back in PA, waiting to someday enter this world in more love than they will ever understand.
* I am grateful for the practice, the thousands of years old practice, the newer principles, the teachings of sages and the words of current gurus and teachers who have built a foundation for me to rebuild a life and a cushion to fall back on.
* I am grateful for my students, all of my students, who have taught the innocence and wisdom of childhood and who have given uplifting hugs (even when they shouldn't) and some of the best cards I've ever seen. Miss you guys.
* I am grateful for every single card, note, e-mail, package, facebook post, video, text message, voicemail, phone call that has poured in over the last few weeks and indeed, the last two years.
* I am grateful for a doctor who was willing to drive to a lab late on a Christmas Eve two years ago to make sure that I would be able to spend a holiday with my family and who made sure I got an appointment here.
*I am grateful for the life in me. May I never, ever take it for granted.
* I am grateful to my Mom and Dad for giving me life, for bringing me up in love and always being there to lift me up with advice, a smile and a hug.
* I am grateful for my sister and brother who have been best friends, worst enemies, partners in crime and always always there by my side.
* I am grateful for my husband: a strong, loving man who stood the test of "for better or worse, for richer or poorer and in sickness and in health' even before we stood up to take those vows.
* I am grateful for my Nan for her strong and steadfast love, wise advice and generous heart.
* I am grateful to my Aunts and Uncles for their love, support, prayers, hilarious cards and generosity.
* I am grateful for my cousins, first and extended, for their kinship, love, warm facebook posts, talent and ties that bind.
* I am grateful for the generations of Slavins and Romans who have come before, some I've known and many I've not had the chance to be blessed with, their gifts swell in my veins.
* I am grateful for my donor, who selflessly endured a painful procedure for a girl he doesn't know, simply so that I may have a second chance at life.
* I am grateful for my Mother, Father and Brother-in-Law for accepting me into their family and treating me like their own daughter, with love and unending kindness.
* I am grateful for the rest of the extended Esposto family (all sur names included) for the laughs, the love, the friendship and the feeling of togetherness.
* I am grateful to my coworkers who have become dear friends, some like family, for their generosity in time, resources, shoulders to cry and laugh on during the tough days and for the piles of cards that never fail to brighten my day.
* I am grateful for my yoga teacher and kula who have become so much more than that, so much more than just friends. You are part of my spirit and heart and you feed the lifeblood within and keep me humble.
*I am grateful for old friends (especially that special 15 year marathon BFF) who have grown into my heart like a tree grows roots into the earth and who have provided more good advice and good times than anyone deserves.
* I am grateful for new friends who have walked into my life with bright smiles and open hearts and the promise of years to come.
* I am grateful for lost friends, those who have taught so much about friendship and self and communication.
* I am grateful for the friends I barely know, those who read this blog and comment with love and support, you reach out in the same way as friends of decades and teach humility.
* I am grateful to my doctors and nurses for their expert and compassionate care.
* I am grateful for the scientists and researchers who pioneered the drugs, equipment and techniques that keep me alive.
* I am grateful for the patients who have come before me, those that pushed for better care, more answers and those whose lives taught those doctors and nurses and researchers valuable information so that I may benefit someday.
* I am grateful for the sun that shines through my window, and on glorious days of freedom on my face, for the rain that washes the air, for the wind that cools the heat, for the clouds that speckle the sky and give us something beautiful to look at.
* I am grateful for the three embryos sitting in deep freeze back in PA, waiting to someday enter this world in more love than they will ever understand.
* I am grateful for the practice, the thousands of years old practice, the newer principles, the teachings of sages and the words of current gurus and teachers who have built a foundation for me to rebuild a life and a cushion to fall back on.
* I am grateful for my students, all of my students, who have taught the innocence and wisdom of childhood and who have given uplifting hugs (even when they shouldn't) and some of the best cards I've ever seen. Miss you guys.
* I am grateful for every single card, note, e-mail, package, facebook post, video, text message, voicemail, phone call that has poured in over the last few weeks and indeed, the last two years.
* I am grateful for a doctor who was willing to drive to a lab late on a Christmas Eve two years ago to make sure that I would be able to spend a holiday with my family and who made sure I got an appointment here.
*I am grateful for the life in me. May I never, ever take it for granted.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Back in the clink
So, after two ER visits in as many days due to a strange late afternoon fever, I'm back on lock down in the hospital for the next few days until they can get this resolved. Tres annoying. This morning I had myself quite the pity party about it, and I would be lying if I said I'm not completely pissed off.
Why? Besides the obvious, this weekend my Dad is in town for my birthday and I was really looking forward to spending time with him. Also, and this is what has set me off again crying as I type, P and I were going to get some married couple alone time these few days while Mom and Dad 'vacationed' a bit a local hotel. And P is leaving for home on Saturday. Well, fuck. There was also some nonsense this morning with the doctors which I will save for another post.
Here's hoping they get this resolved post-haste with IV antibiotics and a big bag of ice on my head and eyes (they are super ouchy right now). There is some good news to report though: the GVHD seems to be clearing up nicely on my torso so at least I don't have to endure a feverish hospital stay AND itchy boobs. So there's that.
Thank you all for the texts and FB messages. Y'all rock my socks:)
Much love.
Why? Besides the obvious, this weekend my Dad is in town for my birthday and I was really looking forward to spending time with him. Also, and this is what has set me off again crying as I type, P and I were going to get some married couple alone time these few days while Mom and Dad 'vacationed' a bit a local hotel. And P is leaving for home on Saturday. Well, fuck. There was also some nonsense this morning with the doctors which I will save for another post.
Here's hoping they get this resolved post-haste with IV antibiotics and a big bag of ice on my head and eyes (they are super ouchy right now). There is some good news to report though: the GVHD seems to be clearing up nicely on my torso so at least I don't have to endure a feverish hospital stay AND itchy boobs. So there's that.
Thank you all for the texts and FB messages. Y'all rock my socks:)
Much love.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Is that GVHD on your boobs or are you just happy to see me?
It's GVHD on my boobs.
GVHD (graft-versus-host disease) is a very common occurrence after allogenic transplant where the donor cells recognize the host (my body) as a foreign object and go into attack mode. It can effect any part of your body, though it typically shows up on your skin or your GI tract first. Before transplant, all of my doctors (and rightly so) worked really hard to scare the shit out of me about GVHD, oh boy did the succeed in that too. If left untreated, it can get very nasty very quickly, potentially life threateningly so. There are two kinds of GVHD based on when they show up post-transplant: acute (within the first 100 days) and chronic (after the first 100 days).
In the hospital, I was told to watch the palms of my hands and my feet for the first signs of a 'sunburn-like' rash and to have P check my back every night for the same. Well, being the ever compliant patient, I did all of the above, however, where has my GVHD shown up? On my friggin' boobs and tummy (well, very lightly everywhere else too, mostly my forearms and lower back). Does it look like a sunburn? Nope. It's kind of bumpy, very rash like and itches like a motherfucker. Ladies, if you have ever been to a tanning bed and not put on sufficient sun protection (not that I've ever done this...um) and you get that itchy slightly burny blotchy rash, that's what this is like. You have to be standing quite close to me to actually see it, otherwise it sort of looks like I just have a healthy glow goin'. The Advanced Practice Nurse (this is a correction from one of my other posts, apparently she's not a nurse practitioner...whatevs) and PharmD prescribed this gloppy steroid cream and Aquaphor (which is like putting Vaseline all over your body, gross) and have assured me that this will make it go away. Weird. They keep saying that this is neither a good thing or a bad thing, just a thing that happens. Good thing it's an easily taken care of thing:) Wait, let me type 'thing' one more time. THING.
Aside from this mild GVHD, my numbers have been looking pretty stellar (and the muscle relaxers TOTALLY HELPED, BOOYA!) so I have been given today (Friday) and the rest of the weekend off from clinic. So, here I sit a bloggin' and infusin' at the same time in one of the big comfy recliners.
A little birdy told me that the weather is gorgeous in Philly right now so, dear friends, I hope you enjoy a gorgeous weekend! Thank you so much for your steadfast support and love, it is humbling and sustaining. Missing all of you so, so much.
Much love.
GVHD (graft-versus-host disease) is a very common occurrence after allogenic transplant where the donor cells recognize the host (my body) as a foreign object and go into attack mode. It can effect any part of your body, though it typically shows up on your skin or your GI tract first. Before transplant, all of my doctors (and rightly so) worked really hard to scare the shit out of me about GVHD, oh boy did the succeed in that too. If left untreated, it can get very nasty very quickly, potentially life threateningly so. There are two kinds of GVHD based on when they show up post-transplant: acute (within the first 100 days) and chronic (after the first 100 days).
In the hospital, I was told to watch the palms of my hands and my feet for the first signs of a 'sunburn-like' rash and to have P check my back every night for the same. Well, being the ever compliant patient, I did all of the above, however, where has my GVHD shown up? On my friggin' boobs and tummy (well, very lightly everywhere else too, mostly my forearms and lower back). Does it look like a sunburn? Nope. It's kind of bumpy, very rash like and itches like a motherfucker. Ladies, if you have ever been to a tanning bed and not put on sufficient sun protection (not that I've ever done this...um) and you get that itchy slightly burny blotchy rash, that's what this is like. You have to be standing quite close to me to actually see it, otherwise it sort of looks like I just have a healthy glow goin'. The Advanced Practice Nurse (this is a correction from one of my other posts, apparently she's not a nurse practitioner...whatevs) and PharmD prescribed this gloppy steroid cream and Aquaphor (which is like putting Vaseline all over your body, gross) and have assured me that this will make it go away. Weird. They keep saying that this is neither a good thing or a bad thing, just a thing that happens. Good thing it's an easily taken care of thing:) Wait, let me type 'thing' one more time. THING.
Aside from this mild GVHD, my numbers have been looking pretty stellar (and the muscle relaxers TOTALLY HELPED, BOOYA!) so I have been given today (Friday) and the rest of the weekend off from clinic. So, here I sit a bloggin' and infusin' at the same time in one of the big comfy recliners.
A little birdy told me that the weather is gorgeous in Philly right now so, dear friends, I hope you enjoy a gorgeous weekend! Thank you so much for your steadfast support and love, it is humbling and sustaining. Missing all of you so, so much.
Much love.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Explain your sneeze!
This video came to mind today while I was waiting in the fast-track lab to get blood drawn. A man had the most gnarly cough, everyone around him looked green from the sound of his lung-gunk and I just wanted to scream "EXPLAIN YOUR COUGH!!!":)
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