Now What?

I hope that you all had a wonderful Labor Day Weekend.  My weekend was nice and relaxing - sort of!  I received my last two doses of chemo Saturday and Sunday so I'm done with that for now.  On Saturday I was able to join the Bogards at some friends of theirs (and mine) for lunch and a nice visit.  We left there and went to help Rick celebrate his birthday.  Matt was at a bachelors' party weekend so it was just the six of us for Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake and Hawkeye Football watching. 

I left before the kids did because my stomach continued to bother me and I was very tired.  I'm feeling some better now and I think I'm going to blame it on the potassium pills.  I'm sure it isn't from the chemo because that didn't bother me at all last time.  Problem with the chemo and being tired is the stupid steroids.  I try to take an afternoon nap and it just doesn't happen.  I don't get to sleep until about midnight or later and am awake about 0600.  Hopefully that will change soon.  Then, of course, I'll whine because my hemoglobin is low and all I want to do is sleep!

I went for a walk yesterday and again today.  It was still a bit warm yesterday but today was absolutely glorious.  I turned the air conditioner off and opened every window in my condo and because of the low temperature and wonderful breeze, they stayed open until just a few minutes ago when I closed them - but not completely.  It's supposed to get down in the mid to low 50s tonight - maybe with open windows and all of that fresh air I'll be able to sleep.

I also did two loads of laundry, filled out some Long Term Disability forms and tried to "reconcile" some EOBs and medical bills.  Gotta watch the insurance company.  If I thought I could afford it, I'd like to start a business to provide advice and assistance to people - especially the elderly - in understanding their insurance benefits and payments in relation to their medical bills.  Also would advise them regarding secondary and tertiary insurance coverage.  I helped my in-laws when Rick's Dad was at Mayo - thank heaven!  They kept thinking they needed to send payments but everything was covered.  It's confusing and time consuming but worth watching.

Then I spent the rest of the day going through drawers and closets and purses and suitcases and everything and everywhere else I could think of trying to find my "insured" jewelry.  It's one of those chemo brain things but it is making me very nervous at this point.  When I was first banished to my condo, I was watching GMA one morning and they did a bit on home burglaries and where not to keep your jewelry.  Most women keep their jewelry in their bedrooms - typically in, on or around their dresser.  Yup, that would be me.  So, they had this expert - an ex-burglar - provide advice on other places that might be better.  So, thinking I should keep my oh so precious and oh so expensive (oh so not) jewels safe and sound, I decided to put them somewhere besides in my bedroom.  Well, guess what, I have no clue where I put them.  If you happen to know an honest burglar who could come and steal my jewelry and immediately return it to me, please let me know because I sure can't find it.  I'm still praying about it because that has always proven extremely helpful.  It isn't so much the monetary value of the stuff, it's a combination of that and the sentimental value that bothers me.  A couple of pieces mean a lot to me.  If you want to add my lost jewelry to your prayer list, trust me, I won't stop you!

Okay, so back to the title of my blog.  Now what happens?  I'm done with this round of chemo, the Transplant Team is searching the Donor Network for a match, my brothers are having their testing done and the kids and I are trying to schedule a Patient/Family/Caregiver Training Session on the soonest possible Monday morning.  I feel guilty just sitting around.  I know I'll have weekly blood draws and check-ups with Dr. Begum and another bone marrow biopsy at some point before anything else happens but other than that, I have no clue.  It's kind of hard for me to figure it out because I still feel really well - aside from the little stomach issue.  Lots of energy, maybe just a wee bit more bruising but nothing else.  It seems to me that I was already needing transfusions during the 10 days of chemo the first time.  But I guess then my counts were worse than they are now.  I guess I'll go downstairs and get out my notebook and write down some questions to Dr. B tomorrow.

I continue to offer prayers of thanksgiving for this period of the feeling of wellness and normalcy.  For having cancer, I am truly blessed to be pain-free and able to go about my daily life right now.

If I learn any important news tomorrow, I'll be sure and add to my blog.  If not, who knows.  If the weather is as nice as it was today, I may go for a walk instead!

I'm offering prayers of thanksgiving for all who are praying and thinking of me; for those who are calling and sending cards; and for the fact that you are holding me In His Arms.