Germit?

I'm a Germit!= a germa-phobic hermit... My platelets and ANC (white) counts are lower than ever. crap-ola

Words like:  "It has been discovered that her immune system is severely compromised due to her most recent treatment and is unable to sufficiently fight off any minor infection.  It is our recommendation that she take whatever measures necessary to be exempt from being around sick people or children who may be sick whether it be isolation while at work, or be excused from work."  make me grumpy... pissy... mad.
I'm not to kiss: my children, my husband...  Public places, wear a mask.  Watch my crazy bruises for swelling.  Check my temperature every 3-4 hours.  I'll .admit, I cried when the nurse told me I could not have chemo today.  I cried at school, in front of two co-workers.  I hate showing that side, but I needed to cry.  No tears for sadness, or grief; tears of anger, pure anger.  Being a chemo/cancer patient rule follower, I do all that I can to stay ahead of the game.  Was not expecting this curve ball.  No movies, no visitors, and honestly? I'm not even answering the phone.

All will be well in due time.  I am off work through Friday, with a lab re-check all day.  Numbers back up?  Back to work, with precautions in place: no hugging, limited facial contact with kids (I teach 600 and love them all!), and frequent hand cleaning precautions.  Miss my fellow "Lions" who so often are my rocks...

I've been feeling like a rockstar.  This Gemzar / Carboplatin chemo combo rocks!  From March/April-August, I spent many a day not wanting to vomit my toenails up, now?  I want to paint my toenails!  Boogie in the kitchen with my babies, hug on my man!  I'm a little tired, and value mommy naps and bedtime greatly.  Hoping good eating, rest, and relaxation will put me back on course for chemo next week!

My girls from college are all getting together next weekend in Michigan and I NEED to be there!  There are so many that I have not seen in over 15 years, some near 20!  Fingers, toes, and hairs crossed!

Kiddoes are doing great.  Being cancer kids is not easy.  John and I work overtime to make their lives as normal as possible, whatever normal may be.  We even went for a ride on a monster truck! SUPER fun!

JM is crazy busy, but handles it with grace and ease.  School work, wrestling, Tae Kwon Do, Academic Team, reading, gaming, NFL research... somehow he still finds time to just be 9.  Mary Elizabeth has been a bit more of a sticktight than usual.  She rubs my "sick" spots, and talks about her best friend getting better so we can play babies forever and ever.

So that is the update, for now.

Enjoy life, eat dessert before dinner, smooch on the lips!

Thank you for thinking of my family and yours truly.  I appreciate it greatly.  I rely on the strength of others more than you would know.

Be well, be kind, be honest, be true.  Be blessed.

Suzanne

Round one, DONE!

Chemo round one is 100% complete!  After my first day, it was MUCH easier on the system nausea wise, but a whole lot heavier Sleeping Beauty wise!  I remember laying down the first Friday night after dinner, have a vague recollection of eating something Saturday night, and poof! 'twas Sunday morning.   I'm up and around just like regular people!  I drive, shower, vacuum, play, cook... just plain ol' regular 

As Monday began to pass, I found myself longing for my bed.  Instead of the 1500 tc sheets, a day of cheering for my favorite 82lb. wrestler lay ahead .

Wrapped up my 2nd day of this round today, short and sweet!  Stopped at Starbucks for my *free* macchiato (received the special cup from *bux 4 Christmas!), roamed Barnes & Noble @ Vanderbilt, then bought my first pair of skinny jeans!  The poor sales girl... Explaining the difference between skinny jeans & jeggings.... she finally just came to the fitting room with me.  She did thank me though, for taking the step to buy the proper pants to wear with boots, so that I would not have "the mom poof," and look like I was wearing jodhpurs with my jeans in my boots.

 Hoping for same succession of "easy post chemo days" after today, should be.  Have some issues to call about first thing in the morning, but knew they were possibilities, so will address, respond, and move forward.

If you have called, texted, emailed, questioned, and I have not responded.... please know that my intentions are not to be rude.  Cancer bites, plain and simple.  To tell that many times a day, share my daily health repeatedly, hear stories of people who knew/know someone who had or is going through chemo, well....it is HEAVY on the heart and the mind.  Think of me.  Think of my children.  Think of my husband.  Think of my sisters, my mom, my brother.  My oodles of nieces and nephews.  My amazing cousins, my precious aunties....

Cancer has weighed heavily on my family all the way back to the 70s when my dad was diagnosed. Then my Uncle John, next Uncle Chris.  Then me, next my sister Pam, then me, and now me again.  I.  KNOW.  THE.  STORIES.  I know about clinical trials, I know about culturing a cancer cell to test chemo response rates...

I also know that YOU might not know what to say.  That is okay, neither do I!  You do not have to say anything if it is uncomfortable, a simple everyday hello is great!  I love good jokes, corny ones, and dry humor!  If you want to share your concern / love/ support Possible Suggestions: "I'm sorry....Thinking of ...Praying for ...."  I'm feeling fabulous, and hope to keep it up!  If I look like I am lying to, just let me, 'kay?  and please, I beg of you.... no death.  No asking about staging, prognosis, nothing.

John Michael and Mary Elizabeth DO know.  I am very honest about treatment with them, and they "seem" to be fairing well.  JM was ticked because he only asked for TWO thing from Santa, and a cure for cancer was one of them... Anyone got connections for two Super Bowl Tickets?

Our children are rockstars across the board.
JM continues to excel beyond expectation academically, yet struggles at time to find his passion.  I'm thinking of teaching how to "code" on a computer, just need to dust off my own knowledge.  He LOVES technology, so it may be a win!  He just received his High Red Belt in TKD, now working for his recommended black belt, so big!  Wrestling continues wonderfully, and he is also busy studying for his lower school academic team.

Mary Elizabeth is now in her 3rd year of competitive cheer, and is better than ever.  We are so thankful for the organization!  Also, she has finally discovered a love for independent reading.  While still quite enamored with storybooks, and being read to, I've found her numerous times snuggled with her flashlight friend and a book, post bed time.  She is working very hard in school and has done well.  She LOVES to count coins, master her spelling words the first night, and any arts and crafts activitiy she can find.  She has added another child to her family.  American Girl Doll Marie Grace joined her this Christmas.  While Rebecca is still her favorite, Mary Grace has made friends nicely with Molly and Rebecky, her bitty baby.  She LOVES her dolls and plays with them daily.  Dressing, roleplaying, socializing, planning, plotting, designing... her American Girl Dolls, Barbies, cheer, and crafts ( and now reading!) are her passions.

John has transitioned into a local job as a civilian instructor.  He has added a goatee to his repertoire, and I'm enjoying seeing him so nicely dressed each day.  I've taken to packing his lunches, along with the kids :)  He also received a new fire pit for Christmas and has enjoyed building one nightly.  I think the kids and I have eaten our weight in s'mores!

Teaching STEM is still a gift.  Having 600 kids to know is not a challenge, it is a blessing.  Their smiles, stories, hugs, and amazing successes are all that I need to know that I am where God needs me the most.

Well, no chemo until the 15th.... I'll try to check in before then.

Be strong, be joyful, be amazing, be kind, be blessed.

I am thankful for each and everyone lifts my family and myself in thought, wonder, in prayer.