Back to work

     Today is my 5^th day back on the job.  It’s great to be back!  I’ve been making headway on the SOP project and a few other “sit your butt in a chair” projects have come my way but today I went in (by myself!) with the Red Ruffed Lemurs, played sticks with the White-necked Raven, had Floyd (Palm Cockatoo) dictate SOP’s to me in the office, hand fed the Bush Baby and had a nice, long session hanging out with Kenya (African Serval).  It was a good day!  I held Harry, the Two-Toed Sloth, last week.  He is still with us and getting around very well for a sloth his age.  I was most excited about the lemurs.  The female can be unpredictable but I employed my knowledge of her behavior and made a judgment call based on her demeanor and went in.  The male came over first and as she made her way over, I made myself as nonthreatening as I could and she jumped to my shoulder and settled in for minutes of scratching (that’s about all the time you get with her).  Eventually, the male came to my other shoulder so I had two big, fluffy lemurs keeping my head warm.

     I've realized, it's not really work that's tiring.  It's the lack of time to do everything else and so those tasks stay on your mind causing stress and that is what tires you out.  It's nothing major or super important but I have a list of small tasks that are piling up and less time to do them.  So in the back of my head they fester until I get them done.  I knocked out a bunch when I got home today before the livestrong program.  I still need to compile a grocery list and go shopping.  We have nothing interesting in the house to make and so have been finding food elsewhere which gets fattening and expensive.  Eventually, I will figure out the best way to manage my reduction in time and there will be food in the fridge again.  For tonight...a can of Campbells soup.

Clear scans and new hair

Jeremy and I spent the better part of the day at the hospital for labs and scans.  We did get to have breakfast before seeing the doctor.  Cracker Barrel hash town casserole is not part of my healthy eating but it is good!  Doc says scans are good. My numbers are not as high as he'd like them but by my next appointment, should be.  We celebrated the good news with trivia and sushi.  

Back in sunny FL

     I had a great visit to MI.   I got to spend some quality time with my family and caught up with a few friends as well.  There were a few mishaps and nights where I just could not fall asleep but it was ok because I was up when dad got off of work and we got to hang out a bit before he went to bed.  My flight back was a joke.  We woke up super early to get there just to find out it had been delayed by 5 hours.  I could kick myself for not checking before we left.  When I checked in for my flight the day before it was on time.  I know it is my responsibility to check but I feel like they could send an email to those that gave their email if the delay is that significant.  Then when I got on the flight, I sat between a married couple.  The woman wanted the window seat, was already sitting there and I didn't really care so I let her have it.  A few times they talked back and forth or handed something over me and the kid behind me was giving me a nice back massage (read with sarcasm).  I turned around and said something, politely, to her.  I then realized she wasn't little at all and with the way Spirit has squished seats together to make more money...she may not be able to help it.  I had dropped my phone and could not reach it with my hand due to the seat in front of me and my neighbors chest.  I had to use my feet to bring it up to my hands.  This is why you either don't fly spirit or you pay for the big front seat.  For the delay they gave me a $50 voucher (which I have yet to find in an email or online account) and a $14 meal voucher.  So now I am inclined to fly spirit again...yippy.

     Just got back from the gym.  My first session in the livestrong program.  There were about 6 people in the group, all older, mostly breast cancer.  We were shown 4 machines today and did 1 set of 10 reps on each.  I'm not sure what I was expecting but I ended up staying and doing all but 3 machines and then 10 minutes on the elliptical.  I want to see how my body reacts to what I did and then go from there.  I just finished lunch...tuna fish and quinoa/rice blend.  I'm going to start recording my intake in myfitnesspal.  That seemed to be the one thing that worked for me whenever I would "diet".  It wasn't about taking something out of the diet but being aware of how much was going in and when you know the "cost" of a certain food or treat (caramel latte, snickers bar, etc) you are less likely to choose to have it based on it's "value".  At least that is how my brain works.  It's just like money...if you are not paying attention to how much is being spent and earned, soon you will be in debt and have a crappy body score which has an effect on everything in your life. 

     I wish I would have taken more pictures.  If anyone has pics from my visit, send them to me please.  Here is one from Logan and Eisley's baptism.  Unfortunately, the family pic didn't turn out well due to lighting issues.

Seriously...derp

     Had a nice day yesterday.  Grandma, mom and I went to my cousin Josh's house.  Becky and Aunt Mary came over.  We had lunch and conversation ranging from family heirloom rocks to acquiring pint glasses.  Claire was as cute as ever and I immediately fell in love with Abby, the new dog.  Christine got me the coolest sloth socks!  We headed home before the snow was set to start.  Then I hit my big, dumb head on a shelf...hard enough to cause a bump.  Grr!  I called the on call doc to see if I needed to go in.  Of course she says yes.  So at 11pm mom and I head to Henry Ford on 19 mile.  The snow has started.  We get there about 11:30...didn't get home until 5am!  Took 30 minutes to get me in a room, another 30 for 4 different people to come ask whats wrong, an hour for someone to come in and get labs which will take 45 to get the results + the time it takes for someone to let you know.  My platelets are 3 points below what the doc wanted them at.  I initially refuse the cat scan, wanting to talk to my doc first, and we wait for discharge.  30 minutes later a nurse comes in to take me to CT.  I tell him what's up and he goes to check the orders.  I find him find say let's just do the scan.  He takes me right away and the scan the 10 minutes at most.  Wait another 60 minutes for results...everything looks good.  20 more until we are discharged.  30 drive home all because I bumped my head.  ugh...apparently we are not out of the woods.  Oh and since my platelets were low I bled through the bandage right on to my favorite sweater.

     Just got home from lunch with my good friend, Noreene.  We went to Olgas Kitchen...yum! Best pita bread and you can't get Olga snackers anywhere else.  It was great to catch up.  Now it is time for a nap! I don't do well on 4 hours sleep.

Cold cold cold

     Having a great time hanging out with family.  We went over to my brothers house and watched Eisley be as cute as a button. We played dress-up, went out to eat, played cards and saw ducks on the ice cold water.  We went to the car wash and it turns out it was the first time my grandma had ever been in an automatic car wash...I don't know if I believe that but thought it was interesting.  Dad went off to work but ended up getting off work early and we watched tv together, played ping pong and video games until 2:30am!  Oh and I just remembered, my hair is falling out again.  I was drying my head with a towel and noticed some hair on it.  I went ahead and tested it by pinching a bunch of hair and pulling and it all came out really easy.  So that's lame.  My eyebrows are holding on though...that's all I care about.  I'll forego the modesty and say I think I have beautiful eyes and the surrounding hair is key to their beauty.

     Tomorrow is cousin time.  I hear Josh is preparing a Detroit lunch for his Florida cousin.  I can't wait!  This guy can cook.  I love seeing his Facebook posts of the stuff he cooks.  His daughter eats better than any kid I know.  She is so cute.  Can't wait to see her too.

     Ducks on the river...

what a weekend

     I'm finally in MI.  It's a bit cold but not the coldest it has been this year.  I got to see my sweet niece, Eisley, and Ryan and Mandi.  They took mom and I to my favorite restaurant, National Coney Island (if it's not national, it's not coney).  I had tea and crumpets (short breads) with GG and mom.

     Today, we are celebrating dad's 60th and it's Superbowl day.  That means yummy dips and veggies, sausage and cheese, German chocolate cake and deviled eggs.  All my nephews niece and brothers and sisters will be here.  Maybe some cousins.  I've waited a long time to do this.  Usually, I get home a few times a year to get my family fix.  I'm really looking forward to this week, regardless how cold it gets.

     Friday, I got the nicest surprise ever.  The plan was to get drinks for our friend Jeff's birthday.  They ended up picking me up because they had errands in the area and Jeremy would be going straight to southern after work so it made sense.  Turns out it was a surprise party for me for the end of treatment.  I walked into the back and there were so many people huddled on the far wall.  I'm so glad I didn't cry but I was close.  To think of all the work that went into keeping it secret and putting it together.  I am overwhelmed with how much love and thoughtfulness surrounds me.  I am truly blessed.  I could not stop smiling.  There was a cancer pinata and pin the hair on Megan.  There were beads and mustaches.  It was a great night and thank you will never be enough to express my gratitude.

Remember when...

     So last post I mentioned my platelets were low.  My nurse asked that I do labs again today to see that they are on the rise and I don't need additional platelets before my trip.  Turns out my platelets are good but my neutrophils dipped...low.  I'm at 440, they would like me to be at 1000.  I can feel the thing that I usually feel right before I end up in the hospital with a fever and there is no stopping it.  My hope is that I do not get a fever but if I do that I at least get to MI first and can then spend a few days in the hospital there.  Of course, I'd rather not waste any of my time in a hospital in MI but I would prefer more not to waste the money spent on the ticket and I just want to go home and see my family. GRRR!  I can't believe I let this happen.  I feel like a jerk. 

     On a lighter note, I spoke with a lady from Arts in Medicine about classes and I will more than likely take a few of hers to see if there is some other creative medium I would like, like sculpting or something.  I also found out coursera offers free courses on a butt load of stuff so I signed up for some animal behavior and disease prevention through nutrition.  Wish I would have known about this a year ago.  Not that I would have done anything about it.  I really didn't do a whole lot of productive activities this past year, whether or not they were at my disposal.  Usually I would feel really bad about myself for something like that...wasted time and all but I honestly don't care that I was lazy and unambitious.  I'm just glad that year is behind me.