| Let's start again. |
[Apr. 11th, 2008|08:28 am] |
I used hair product for the first time yesterday : ) In retrospect, I probably didn't need to, but I don't care.
It's snowing outside. Why? |
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| What's a V.C.R., mommy? |
[Mar. 18th, 2008|10:37 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  chipper | ] |
So we've managed to unpack the majority of our household items and among those things were many-a-video cassette tape. This past week we've been watching on the VCR for old times sake. Back to back Sci-fi with T2 and Aliens. Good stuff. Then last night we watched Toy Soldiers. I can't remember if I ever saw it before, but it was a favorite of Andy's back in the day. That movie made me laugh: the hair styles and wardrobe were fantastic. Straight out of my 8th grade classroom (or so it seemed)- though I know the movie must have come after 1991. And really, what's with the guys all hanging out together in the room in nothing but underwear? Put some pants on! |
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| Long time no write |
[Mar. 11th, 2008|04:08 pm] |
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Hey-o. Well, we're nearly settled into our new home and I've begun the search for work. I even sent out a resume yesterday- oooo. Ah, for some interesting news: I've landed a role in a play here in Omaha! I've been feeling the urge to try acting again- though I don't think high school plays count as acting. I saw an audition for 20-30 year old women (that's me), and with Andy's encouragement, I tried out. I was cast to play a bartender and a doctor for a total of 7 lines, but then the director/writer called to ask if I'd be interested in the role of Lisa- one of the friends (who happens to be a lush). "Sure," I said. Rehearsal start this week. The play isn't necessarily one that I would go see, but hey, it's a role. Hopefully I won't suck too bad. |
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| Coming soon! |
[Feb. 11th, 2008|01:03 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | amused | ] |
Last night we went and saw There Will Be Blood. Daniel Day Lewis did an excellent job, though I didn't quite buy the accent- he was supposedly from Wisconsin. Don't think so, my man. So it was a good movie, but I guess I was expecting more blood. I mean, come on! Title of the movie?! |
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| still homeless- but not for long... |
[Feb. 4th, 2008|03:28 pm] |
Well, after viewing a good 50 homes (Lord, help me!), we put in a bid on a house and that bid was accepted. ~yea~ It's a nice old house with a bit a character. We'll be living near downtown Benson- which isn't anything super special, but it has some restaurants/cafes/bars/music venues- oh and a clock store (ooo..). It could use some tidying up, but it looks like it'll be fun.
I'm still jobless. One of these days, I'll have to start looking for work. Not having internet access at the motel has proved to be a pain and I'm tired of paying for a coffee I don't want so I can sit and go online for a couple hours. C'est la vie. |
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| WOODMAN BUILDING! |
[Jan. 12th, 2008|09:48 am] |
So we're in Omaha and we're still homeless. We're staying at what I like to call the Base Motel. It's alright, but it don't got no internet service! So I'm loitering in Panera with the laptop.
We've looked at 26 houses over the past two days, plus just driving around looking at different neighborhoods, and we've come up with nothing. We shortlisted a couple, but I don't know- I'm not convinced just yet. We're taking a break from househunting for a couple days- I need to regroup and relax. It was just starting to frustrate me. Grrr.
But Omaha's fine otherwise. We rocked Council Bluffs last weekend where I hit my first Monster Truck Rally. Oh, yeah! Classy.
Side Note: If any one is interested in joining me, I plan on bringing back an old look. Picture it: pullover hooded sweatshirt, collar torn off, sleeves ripped off at the seams, tee underneath. My inspiration came while watching the Karate Kid this Christmas (one of the kickass gifts I bought for Andy). I think this look needs a revisiting. Who wants to go forward and join me?? If you're not sure, just watch the K.K. Mr. Miyagi will guide you. |
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| It's a disease. |
[Dec. 10th, 2007|09:08 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | pleased | ] |
I have a new addiction. Over the past week I've gone to Candyland downtown St. Paul for the freshest, most delicious, yummy, chewy, delectable gummy bears and sour patch kids. I can't stop myself- they're soooo good! I get a craving and I must have gummies! Today was the last day, though. It can't continue like this. My teeth can't handle. |
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| Happy St. Nicholas Day! |
[Dec. 6th, 2007|06:53 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | thankful | ] |
Happy indeed! I had my scan on Monday and got the results back today. Doc gave me the all clear : ) So it's official: my eyebrows beat cancer! That kicks butt. Best St Nick's gift ever! Now it's a matter of getting my endurance back and getting back to real life. This whole thing has been a bit surreal and with any luck, I won't have to experience it again. In about 3 months I'll go back to get some blood work done and in April I'll get scanned again to make sure I'm still good to go. If so, I'll finally get this stupid port out- can't look at it anymore (blah!).
I want to thank everyone for all the support they've shown these past few months. It's been wonderful. I can now safely say that getting cancer was an overall positive experience- call me crazy, but it's true. I learned a lot about myself and about my friends and family. It's really quite amazing. Thanks again.
Moving on: Andy comes to the States on the 20th and hopefully he'll be able to come up to the cities before we get settled into Omaha life again. I'll keep y'all posted so we can have a celebratory gathering. |
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| Don't stop believin' |
[Nov. 30th, 2007|11:16 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | hopeful | ] |
So does anyone actually believe that it'll snow tomorrow? 6-10"? Come on. I wish it would, but my gut is telling me to forget it. Each morning over the last week or two I've opened my bedroom curtains in the hope of seeing snow on the ground and there was none. I guess that's the way it goes. Here's wishing for snow in the morning! |
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| FOO! |
[Nov. 21st, 2007|05:58 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | pleased | ] |
So I'm pumped. Foo Fighters are coming to the Twin Cities in February- sweet. But the fact that the venue's the Target Center totally blows. I guess each time they've come, they've played in a larger space- but why the crappy Target Center? I'll have to check if they're going to go through Omaha or KC- anywhere they play in those cities would be better than the Target.
Well, things are looking good this week. My appetite has come back strong after the weekend. I'm ready to chow down tomorrow. I hope everyone has an excellent Thanksgiving. I'm especially thankful because Andy got his orders today- he'll be home by Christmas : )
Word. |
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| One more day- fingers crossed |
[Nov. 15th, 2007|08:59 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  nauseated | ] |
Tomorrow will be my last day of chemo- hooray! With any luck ,anyway...
I will go back to be rescanned in about 3 weeks to see if there's anything left. I'm optimistic that there will be nothing to see. In the meantime, I'm starting to feel crappy- as is expected. Ativan is my friend : )
I was thinking I had another week till Thanksgiving, so who knows if I'll be up to eating by then. Stuffing maybe?
Ah, quick poll: stuffing or dressing? How do you call it? |
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| hee hee |
[Nov. 9th, 2007|09:52 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  giddy | ] |
I love snow : ) |
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| Good news or bad news? |
[Nov. 8th, 2007|01:32 pm] |
Good news, I think. Next week will be my last week of chemo! I had a repeat lung function test last week (same day they found the blood clot) to see if the one chemo drug has been affecting my lungs. Well, apparently it's affected them enough that the doc doesn't want to give me the one drug anymore. That means my chemo is shortened by two weeks. Hopefully this is good news and even without the 3 bleo treatments the cancer will be gone. I'll go in for a scan in a few weeks to see. Maybe I'll be able to eat on Thanksgiving! : ) Awesome.
I'm just excited that I'm feeling good and will be able to enjoy the weekend. Party on, Wayne. |
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| 6.9 on the richter scale |
[Oct. 27th, 2007|02:26 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | indifferent | ] |
So this week I was a bit sluggish. On Thursday, though, I decided I needed to try and take a walk. My plan: walk down to the end of the block to Walgreens. Walk back. Easy enough, right? It took me 40 minutes! Dear Lord! I was close to hitchhiking the last half a block, but forced through it. I sat down on the curb about 5 times on the return trip. Sad.
On Friday I went in to the clinic to have some blood work done- check my white blood cells mainly. Well, not only were the white cells down (can't see people again for a few days), but my hemoglobin was 6.9 (be very impressed)! Since I had nothing else planned for the day, I stuck around a got 2 units of blood. I'm feeling much better now. |
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| Aloha |
[Oct. 15th, 2007|06:32 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | cheerful | ] |
Well, I've gone from punk to GI Jane. I better work on those one handed push ups. The mohawk only lasted two days, but it was the best two days ever! Why didn't I do it sooner? Anyway, the hair just kept falling out and the mohawk was looking pretty sad. I had Andy shave off the rest of it Friday morning. Call me Kojak.
I've started on week 4 of chemo. This time I get to do it as an outpatient- so much better than sitting in the hospital. They did a blood draw today and my CA125 (cancer marker) was way down- from ~100 to ~6. I take that as a good sign, but I haven't spoken with the doc yet.
Andy leaves for the UK tomorrow afternoon. His presence will be greatly missed. He's been such a good help.
Here's hoping the rest of the week goes well. |
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| Only eight more to go |
[Oct. 1st, 2007|10:57 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | nauseated | ] |
Well, my first week of chemo is over. It's left me feeling tired and nauseated, but I could be worse. The week was a bit rough at times, but I pulled through okay. But I swear if I had to hear those stupid GM ads one more time ("If you want it, here it is, come and get it") I was going to put my IV pole through the television.
So begins week 2 of the nine weeks of chemo: I go in today for a quick dose (my once a week drug) which will hopefully leave no marks.
On to more important things: Did you see Ed Hoculi ref the Vikings game yesterday?! YUMMY! FIRST DOWN, Baby! Grant it, the game would have been better if we won, but what can you do? Ed.... |
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| Hey, everybody! |
[Sep. 21st, 2007|08:22 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  tired | ] |
Just wanted to say thanks to all those who were able to make an appearance on Tuesday. It was the funnest haircut I've ever had. A special thanks goes out to Shannon for doing such an excellent job. I was a bit nervous at first, but the results were fantastic. It's a bit odd, though: hair on the head=pretty, hair in a clump held together with a elastic band= gross. Hope the kid who gets my hair likes it...
Update: Chemo to start next week. I'll be heading back to United on Monday morning. The plan is for me to stay through the week so they can keep me hydrated via IV fluids to help protect my remaining kidney. I can't wait (note sarcasm). Anyone want to volunteer to bring me Cossettas or Beirut or maybe a nice juicy steak??? : ) |
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| It's a party! And you're invited! |
[Sep. 14th, 2007|02:48 pm] |
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The date is set to get my haircut: Tuesday, Sept 18th 6:30pm at Ficocello's on Snelling and Randolph. I know weeknights are tough for some, but I wanted to get it cut before Andy leaves for England. I hope I will see some of you there. Should be very interesting... |
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| home again |
[Sep. 11th, 2007|10:14 am] |
Hi, all. I got home from the hospital yesterday afternoon. After the weekend I had, I was ready to get out. Saturday was probably the worst night ever.
Everything was going okay, but I keep on with these fevers and high blood pressure. Friday they decided to send me down for a CT scan to see if I had an abscess or something. Oh, how I wish that's what it would've been. Drain, antibiotics- done. BUT... Turns out no abscess. Instead they wanted to have a further look at my left kidney. So Saturday night I have an angiogram- where I'm forced to lie flat on my back for 6 hours so as not to disrupt the femoral artery that they punctured to do the procedure (think lots of blood loss). So I'm worried about this stupid procedure, and then the news I got when it was finished was more than a shock. Turns out that during surgery, the blood flow to my left kidney was obstructed (with a suture) and that my left kidney is dying.
I'm a bit sad about the whole thing, as this was something I never thought would happen. It's a good thing I have a spare. But it 'll mean that they'll have to pay more attention to things during chemo than before, but the end result should still be successful.
Thanks for everyone's support so far. Keep it coming, as I've got some challenges ahead.
Next time: news that's more fun- hair cutting party! Date and time to follow... |
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| My, my. You don't say. |
[Sep. 2nd, 2007|01:00 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  blah | ] |
Turns out I have the female version of what Lance Armstrong had: dysgerminoma. Good stuff. True actually: if you're going to have a germ cell cancer, this is the one to have. It responds well to treatment.
Here's the plan: surgery Tuesday to remove the mass and the ovary, followed by a few weeks to recuperate, and then I start chemo to blast the rest of the cancer out of my body. I'm not exactly looking forward to surgery as I have knowledge of most of the things that can go wrong- that's my fault for working in a hospital as a PT and doing wound care. Chemo will suck, but I'm sure there are worse things.
I feel I have a fair grip on the situation and I plan on keeping it that way. Now what I need from you guys is this: a mantra. You know, like Kevin Costner in For Love of the Game: "Clear the mechanism." Okay, that one isn't the best, but it seemed to work for him. Anyway, I figure I'll need a couple good mantras to help keep my spirits up through all this crap. I have a few potential ones, but I need a real good one. That is your challenge! Thanks : ) |
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saveth3queen's journal
energetic