I have been invaded. They sit there with their creepy green masks. They talk, but it is hard to understand them. UH. and here come more. These are not of the strange "masked" variety. However, the one resembling my father comes in with a Carebear Birthday Balloon. I now have visions of some screaming child chasing him down the hall . "I want my balloon, back."
Who are these strangers? Where did they come from? How did they get past the guards?
....Oh, no. One is coming towards me. It speaks my name. It says...
Well. I can't quite remember. In the reverse of a normal nightmare, I actually was awake for the first part and fell asleep for the rest.
I am still here and I am still alive. Although not doing nearly as well as I was a few days ago. I got my last chemo on Sunday. My brother Paul flew in from Chicago and spent the next few days with me. It was really nice to have him here, but I felt a little badly. My body just wasn't able to tstay awake. I fell asleep a lot. I 'd wake up from a nap and paul would be sitting there reading a book. I'm just loads of fun right now.
On to the news. This is the end of day 1. Yesterday, day 0, I got my stemcells back. It unfortunatly coincides with the low period of my counts so I'm sicka nd achy and cranky and tired and ....(Don't smile. I'm not always like that)
No, for the most part I still think I'm doing OK. I have bad patches in the mornings. Yes, I have had to use the call button from the bathroom twice, cause I was so sick I couldn't move. But this is really all to be expected. Sucks...but expected.
Anyway, as I was saying, Paul has been here for the last few days. He and Carol both sat with me today, which was good for them because I slept until 2. They kept eachother company. Then Paul left for the airport and Katrina and Chuck showed up. Now because Kat, Chuck and Carol are all teachers and can not vouch for the germs they pick up from their students, they all decided to wear masks. Hence my opening sequence. I did get a happy birthday balloon from my father, but I'm pretty sure he bought it with his own money. And no, it is not my birthday, It just what they call getting your stemcells back. your new birth. DAy 1.
That's really all I have in me for tonight. Erica will be here tomorrow. Maybe Ill let her blog. She hasn't yet.
Night
Elizabeth
posted by ejbauerlein @ 5:21 PM
27 comments
27 Comments:
Welcome back Elizabeth. I hope you liked the balloon and I love all the cards hung up on your walls. Hope the yucky period passes soon but know that you're loved even when your cranky.
(Yipee, I got the first post)
You better be ready for some crazy times tomorrow Liz! I didn't drive 3.5 hours tonight to watch you sleep all day tomorrow and Friday!
Get your rest tonight, girlie!
Love, the other EB
Hey Liz,
Feeling crappy is part of the recovery - kind of ironic, huh? Day by day. We are thinking about you.
Love,
Janette
I loved watching your angelic face while you were sleeping (hee, hee!)
Actually, I can think of nowhere else I would have rather been!
Thanks for letting me be a part of your 'birthday' celebration.
Carol
They come in peace.
The birthday balloon is a nice touch. I guess you are 2 days old now, so hopefully each day is getting better for you.
hi elizabeth
how are things going the lousy part should be over soon then you will come home alone leave fred there i think you should draw a picture of fred and have your parents burn him in the fireplace if they dont have one i am sure one of your friends have one or family have one i believe in writing all my neg. things down like what hurt me and then i burn it fred can not come back if he is burned i hope those nurses are being great to you or you can tell mom and she will take care of them well keep up your great spirit and you will be home in no time
god bless you and he is
sue h
I'm a little behind, but have to say how envious I am that you not only SAW the Daily Show, but got to meet Mr. Jon himself. But more importantly, I needed to let you know that your story keeps reaching further: I had my 1st volunteer shift at Gilda's Club last night, and a man came in for his 1st meeting with the Leukemia & Lymphoma support group - he'd been diagnosed recently. I mentioned a friend was currently being treated and he asked how you were doing. I started describing the stem cell transplant, and he said he's probably going to have to get that done, and asked with bated breath how it was going. I told him about how you gave your docs a record number of "fightin' stem cells", and he smiled and said, "That's GREAT to hear." And off to the meeting he went. Thanks on his behalf for all of your sharing and positivity and happy "birthday"!
Yey for the creepy green masks! Where can I purchase one? Or will the good nurses in the hospital give me one.... I always catch everyone's cold, and there is always someone in the office spreading germs. I am looking forward to seeing you on Saturday, day 4 I guess.
Lots of love and happy thoughts,
Marta
Just to clarify, I am not sick, just like the precaution.
Marta
HI ELIZABETH
IM SORRY YOU ARE NOT FEELING GOOD BUT BETTER DAYS WILL BE COMING I'M SURE,BUT IT SURE WAS GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU AND I WAS HAPPY TO SEE YOU ON SATURDAY.
LOVE MRS. MILLER
Sorry to hear that your not feeling good,but it was great to see your blogg.Hang in there.
Love, Mr.&Mrs Fitz Sr.
Good morning Elizabeth!
TGIF....two weeks down. Hope it seems as fast for you. Good news, we turn the clocks ahead tomorrow night and you lose one whole hour at that fine facility, an hour closer to homecoming! And that's my happy thought for the day.
Have you discovered any new tv shows worth tuning into during your "lock-in" (though there's a rumor you were seen pushing your IV rig to the snack shop...we all draw inspiration where we can, no?!) Have a most blessed day. For now, Mrs H
Hi Elizabeth,
It only gets better from here! You are doing fantastic! By the way, I feel like and invader myself. Were you able to log on to your Webkinz? The kids all want to talk to you, they think you're cool cuz you have a Webkinz.
Love,
Amy
What is webkinz?
Marta
What is a webkinz? It's a stuffed animal with a password on the tag that lets you log into Webkinz World. You can play games, decorate your room, buy stuff for your animal. It's a virtual world for your stuffed animal. You can also talk to other Webkinz animals, so my kids are eager to talk to Elizabeth's little dog.
Elizabeth, you will only get better from here! I'm so proud of you! Don't forget, you finished the last chemo you will ever do! Don't cross your fingers, cuz you don't need to. NO MORE CHEMO!! EVER!! Yeah!!!
I LOVE that sentiment, Amy! LAST CHEMO EVER! That should be mantra number two...
Go fighting stem cells!
Last chemo EVER!
Go fighting stem cells!
Last chemo EVER!
Stay chipper Elizabeth!
Sorry you've been feeling icky. Even if it was expected, it's still no fun. I hope that every day after this new birth is better than the last. Hang in there.
Love & Hugs
hi elizabeth
i did it again i hit the button to see if i spelled everything right and the next thing i know it is gone and i have to send it over i wonder who gets all the messages i loose
did you get your tomagotchi i am not looking to see if i spelled it right i asked rich to wrap and send it to you and tonight he said i did not put a card in the package but he put a label on it i hope it kept you busy for a while
i am so glad you are finished with chemo and better days are coming and you will be back to being elizabeth have a good night remember the clock go foward tonight . have a good night and a better day tomorrow
sue h
woohoo!! i like the idea of DST being an hour less at the hospital--makes the idea of giving up an hour of precious sleep much more exciting. go go stem cells! get miss lizzy up and healthy and outta that hospital!
many smiles and hugs and happy thoughts,
di
I think the key now is to be #20, that way an updated blog is on the way?
Thank you Bauerlein family from the McNutt/Yetter family. You understand why. We are with you always in thoughts and prayers.
Love to all,
janette
Hey Liz,
Love that "No More Chemo" and "Go Fightin Stem Cells". It will be out of the hospital for you soon. In a way, we're glad we're not there right now...we all have colds down here in SC....trying to get well by Palm Sunday....I need some major hugs!! Keep up the blogs...I love your ramblings.
Love, Aunt Millie SC
This is a low time and therefore the future will be a high. Even your lowest low is higher than a lot of patients, I'm sure Elizabeth, you're doing great, you know.
One of Tim's visits, I'm coming with him. That's "Pastor" to you. Until then, stay strong.
Nel
SO ELIZABETH, YOUR FAN CLUB IS ROOTING FOR YOU AND WE CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT YOU ARE GOING THRU, BUT YOU SEEM BRAVER AND BRAVER TO ME. IS IT LIKE,"WHAT MORE CAN YOU DO TO ME- YOU CAN'T BEAT ME DOWN!" ? MAYBE I WILL IMAGINE YOU ARE ENJOYING YOUR "VACATION" WITH ELECTRONIC DOGS, HYSTERICAL CARDS THAT MAKE YOU LOSE YOUR BREATH FROM LAUGHING SO HARD. YOU CAN CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG WHEN YOU GET HOME , AND GO BACK TO THE OLD GRIND OF WORK AND SCHOOL!! LOVE AND PRAYERS FOR "WONDERWOMAN" -XOXO KARIN S.
I feel the need to leave a comment and assure you all that Elizabeth is alive (and although not exacly well..hanging in there) and kicking.
No I really mean kicking.
*She has gotten mad at the stupid hospital bed that has a mattress that continually inflates and deflates at various spots to avoid bed sores. It doesn't take into account that a patient may be nauseous or dizzy. These beds are new and there is no way to turn off the system.
*She is unhappy with the hospital kitchen that insists on sending her fish which she couldn't tolerate before chemo. You can imagine what the smell does to her now. (Mother to the rescue with home made comfort foods like stew and baked macaroni and cheese).
*She gets really upset with the ever present IV pole with long tubes attached to her port. They had told her that once her stem cells were put back she would no longer have the need for chemo. We stupidly took that to mean no IV pole. Oh, no...every day is saline, or potassium, or anti-biotic, or platelets...and of course all given through the IV.
I could continue with the more graphic descriptions of her chemo effects...but suffice it to say "we'll be glad when it's all over".
Her counts are still in the toilet (Ha Ha) Her WBC count is .1 and that's the number only because the hospital reading won't go any lower. They tell us it will be a few more days before she turns the corner with rising numbers and mood.
But I will tell you that she smiles when she looks at the 70 greeting cards (so far) that are taped to her wall. Many are get well; some are hope and courage; some just to say Hi; and almost all are hysterical. Keep them coming. Some of the nurses have even taken to reading them for a laugh.
Hope this comment serves to keep you all in the loop, until Elizabeth can blog.
Good job, Mom.
Love you Elizabeth!
When I first stopped by last week and there was a card from Jon Stewart's assistant (yes, THE Jon Stewart), the nurse said that Elizabeth is close to winning the 'most mail contest'.
Love the wall of fame!
Janette
hi liz
i want to thank mom for the up date on you right now everything seems down but once you are down there is no where else to go but up and up you will go i know it is hard being there but to get rid of fred that is what you have to do when you are well you should go on a vacation if you need company on your vacation i will be glad to go
god bless you you are in my prayers
sue h
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