So long SUCKER!

Things I won't miss about chemo:

1. the metallic taste in my mouth

2. "pity" stares when i register for my infusions

3. queasiness that is only thwarted by round the clock doses of zofran

4. IVs

5. low blood counts that lead to self imposed isolation until they return to a safe range

Things I'll miss:

1. 5 hours of uninterrupted reading time. i made a goal of not watching any tv/movies while i was having my treatments, which meant i was either reading or sleeping most of the time. sometimes i'd play words with friends or listen to music.

2. awesome nurses that are supportive and do everything they can to make sure your experience is as pleasant as possible

3. a "get out of doing anything card" for the 48 hours afterward because of the queasiness issue

4. the time i got to myself. sure there were always other patients around, but everyone keeps to themselves and does their own thing.

at the end of it, i sit here making this silly little list, knowing that i am incredibly blessed. i know that many of the other people i saw had a much harder and longer road ahead of them. i can only hope for the best for them.

i also have hope that this really is the end of this portion of my treatment regimen and that it was effective. time will tell. regardless, i can't help but feeling awfully lucky.

For someone that really isn't a big fan of George W. Bush, he has occupied my blog waaay too long. I know. I've been away. My kidneys are sick. After a kidney biopsy and lots of doctor appointments we have a plan. We are hoping a little cytoxan will do the trick and make them happy again. Keep your fingers crossed and say a little prayer.

Challenges this Year

December 9 Challenge. Something that really made you grow this year. That made you go to your edge and then some. What made it the best challenge of the year for you?

Adam's job craziness was such a huge challenge, but in the end it has been the most perfect situation for us. It also taught both of us a lot about getting a job in the "real world" and I think that will help us quite a bit in the future.

My health has been less than ideal this year. But- I really feel like it has made me grow in terms of being more aware of what I should and should not be doing for a healthier body. A few months back Kristi asked for comments regarding what you would tell your 16 year old self. She posted the comments and reading through them it became clear to me, rather quickly, that I have an incorrect perception on what it means to be healthy, healthy eating, etc... I've had to retool and rethink my thought process. Now- if I could just give up the sweet nectar.

5 because it is my blog

1.We have been weathering the craziness that is Texas weather.  Two days ago we had ICE on the trees and today- it was a pleasant mid-60's.  We took a lovely little stroll after I got home from work.  It was nice.  However, I'm desperate for some consistency.  It wreaks havoc on my joints.

2. I actually went to my rheumatologist the other day and competed with my little ones for his attention.  Before we even got to his office I tried to get Lulu to understand that it was very important for me to talk to my doctor and she would have to be patient and wait her turn to talk to him (he always makes her balloon people).  She did well for the first 5 minutes, but all my pleading and instructions obviously fell on deaf ears, because within 10 minutes she commandeered the conversation and all the attention.    I promise next time I am getting a sitter and going ALONE.

3. We have been cooking out of Everyday Food this week.  So far we have had:

Cayenne Rubbed Chicken

Mediterranean Salad

Rice Bowl with Shrimp, Snow Peas, and Avocado

I loved the first dish.  The second was good.  Not a huge fan of the last dish.  Too much ginger.

4. I've actually made it to the gym everyday this week.  Yippee for me.

5. After sitting down and looking through iPhoto, I realized I have not ONE photo since Auntie and Uncle Jake left.  Sad, sad news. I'm making a concerted effort to pick up my camera after this ridiculous and unexplained hiatus.  shesh!

TB Patient "what part of don't fly- don't you understand"

I have to post about this, with the caveat that this pregnancy has caused me to be much more hostile than I am in normal life. I'll also acknowledge that my information is coming from the news and we all know that they aren't always as accurate as they should be.


Here is goes:

Really- you didn't know that your TB was contagious or really "that serious", although it is an INFECTIOUS DISEASE and health care workers (as well as those that work in high risk populations- like HIV) have to get tested EVERY 6 months to make sure they don't have TB. By the by, the TB the health care workers are exposed to aren't resistant to the FIRST and SECOND line of treatment (which according to the news is what you were told you had prior to leaving the country).

Really- you didn't know it was that serious when your soon to be father-in-law is a CDC Microbiologist with experience in the transmission and spread of TB and you could have asked him.

Really- you didn't know it was that serious when you were contacted in Rome and told NOT TO FLY ON ANY COMMERICAL CARRIERS back to the US.

Really-when they told you that maybe you should postpone your marriage and honeymoon you didn't take that as a ... hmmm maybe I really shouldn't fly at this time.

When they handed you the masks to wear in order to reduce your exposure to other people, you didn't take that as a sign that maybe this was a little more serious than you thought? Really.

You are quoted as saying " "I'm a very well-educated, successful, intelligent person," yet you traveled against health officials and fled from Italy because you thought you would die without treatment in the US. Really you actually believed that little nugget?

Really- you are sorry and you have apologized to the other passengers that you could have potentially infected but are quoted as saying: "This is insane to me that I have an armed guard outside my door when I've cooperated with everything other than the whole solitary-confinement-in-Italy thing" Exactly what DID you cooperate with?

Really- you feel bad, yet you knowingly exposed passengers to a highly contagious and dangerous disease when you flew back from Prague to Montreal (Sure we can't really be that upset if you didn't know the extent of your condition on the outbound portion, but you did when you flew home, or did you forget that part?)

Really- you expect anyone to believe you regarding what you were and were not told by your doctor when you have been anything but the picture of honesty?

Yes it is true that the likelihood someone was infected with TB is fairly slim, but does that absolve this individual of potentially exposing others to his disease when it is OBVIOUS he did no research and actually knows nothing about TB. The man didn't want his name released because of the stigmatism that is associated with the disease and my question is: which disease is he referring to? His TB or the fact that he is lacking any kind of reasonable judgment or potentially a brain? (sorry- remember I have some pregnancy anger)

Sorry- I know I am being harsh, but I have a background in public health. I worked in an HIV clinic where I had to get tested every 6 months because of potential exposure to TB. I should also point out that one of my medications makes me more susceptible to infections with the number one concern TB. I'm not the only one in this situation. What if the jerk had been sitting next to me? Shouldn't he have some level of accountability to his fellow passengers? I know they are reporting his levels aren't that high, but if the CDC is willing to take precautions and quarantine him (the first one since 1963 and many are questioning the constitutionality of it), shouldn't he be taking the same level of precautions. Obviously they are concerned enough with the exposure to other individuals to place an armed guard in front of his door (although maybe part of that is because of his previous behavior).

And don't get me started on the man that let him back into the US because he thought that the "individual looked healthy and the FLAGGED PASSPORT left the matter up to his discretion"

Seriously, where did they find either of these people.

I think his passport should be revoked.

What is your opinion about the case? How much do you know about TB?