Thursday, March 27, 2008

Not ANOTHER shot!

So, my white blood count has dropped again. It's not as severe as last time, but it's low so I am back on the neupogen. At least it is only one time a week. So two shots once a week with CBC to monitor me.

Yesterday's epogen shot really hurt, they haven't been as painful, or so I thought. Maybe I was just used to the pain from having them so often and now that I am on one a week I am noticing more?

Congested and stuffed up again BLEH, BLECH. I am learning that remission does not equal feeling healthy and great, more that it is better but still with issues and pain.

On the yarn side I have finished a washcloth for each of the kids, but I haven't gotten pics yet. I started a shawl/poncho. The pattern is for an asymmetrical poncho but it doesn't seem wide enough so it might be a shawl in the end. I am trying to make up some things to sell for an upcoming craft fair, but I'm not sure I will have enough time. We'll see.

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Little by little

Everyday is a little better, thank goodness!!! I actually worked a full eight hour day (actually about ten total). Of course I then had to recover and am wiped out and in more pain, but I'll keep on chugging. The influenza cold crap seems a little worse, hopefully it is just part of the natural course but we're keeping an eye on it. I am tired of it though.

I've found a group about my condition-called Polyarteritis Nodosa, or PAN for short. I am so happy to have found it, it's a tremendous resource. The members are people like myself, family members, and doctors and nurses. It's really great to have found a group of people with so much knowledge and support.

I was getting some crocheting and knitting done everyday as well but have had a few days of a break from it, not on purpose but I've just been too tired. A friend is setting up a crafter show and has asked if I would be interested in having some things in it, so I need to get my behind in gear and make some stuff. Wheee!

Holy week is a busy one in my job so between work, home, and my illness it's about all I do.

Last night we had our Good Friday service, with a traditional tenebrae service. It was very beautiful and moving and sad. After each of the candles were extinguished a toll was sounded and we ended with a prayer at the front of the church, around the altar in front of the cross, and they ended with the sound of a door shutting-to symbolize the closing of the tomb. I was very moved by all of it, and was glad to see more people there than our last few Lenten services. Hopefully in true form we will have even more for Easter services. It's really interesting to be in on the inner workings with my job. I've grown up in the church but I didn't realize all of the many things I didn't know and still have yet to learn.

I'll end with my five year old's interpretation of Jesus from the children's sermon on Maundy Thursday (announced to the entire church), "Jesus was born in a manger and grew up and helped people and then he got dead." Now when this child speaks up in public my husband and I cringe, just waiting to hear what will come out of his mouth. This time I wasn't sure how to react, and in true sap form I have to admit I was a little moved at his understanding even if got dead isn't the best way to say it.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

The Alien Has Landed


Drew totally loves his alien washcloth. I've started a dragonfly-another of Nicole's patterns-for Arenne and then will be a frog for Abbie. Colin has already asked for an alien like Drew's. The washcloths have definitely gotten me back into the swing of things. I'm also working on a hat in some Andean Treasure, using a bamboo crochet hook. There is something so soothing and satisfying watching the yarn become something. It's saved my sanity through all the illness and being stuck at home and not able to do much.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Alien Cloth time!


Drew, the 7 year old, has chosen his pattern for a washcloth-the alien cloth by Nicole of Purple Duckie. Out of the cotton yarn I have on hand he chose Sugar 'n Cream in Blue Grass. I am really digging the colors in this yarn. Next up will be a dragonfly cloth for Arenne. I am very happy to be friends with my yarn again, especially with this illness, or I'd be even more stir crazy.

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Influenza, you have won.

It was a bitter battle and influenza has won. Completely and totally kicked my behind and I am down for the count. I slept much of the day away, aside from kid interruptions including the youngest rolling all over me, and am up briefly to take some medicine and have some soup before crashing again.

Listen, folks. I am trying to keep my spirits up. I want to be celebrating my newfound remission. Instead I am sick...AGAIN. Highly irritating.

On a nice note a friend went in to help organize my office where things have been piled on my desk waiting for my return-as I work in a church people often feel they have free reign in there-. Since I've been sick (or children have) for three weeks and counting there were massive piles everwhere. I've been given a new bookshelf, other shelves and organizers, and a cleared off desk. It feels like one of those makeover shows on hgtv. Now if I could just get well enough to actually be in said office.

Sigh.

Saturday, March 08, 2008

Another washcloth done!


This time it's Nicole's Duckie cloth, for Colin. He chose the pattern and the color and loves it! Wheee! This influenza has hit me hard and it's been nice to be making things with yarn again so I don't go too stir crazy. Arenne and Colin are both feeling better, although Ari is still coughing quite a bit. Abbie & Drew have still not gotten this, I really hope they don't.

Off to the hospital for the shot I missed yesterday and to work to try to cram a few days worth of work into a couple hours. Fun, fun, fun.

Friday, March 07, 2008

double post day!

Just to post totally unnecessary pictures, hooray! I picked these things up in California while out getting presents for the kids. Usually I don't get much for myself, but I couldn't resist these. First is a scrubber holder for my froggy kitchen, then a mug that cracked me up because I am amused easily. Let's hope I'll be well enough to actually do some golfing this summer!



And I'll end with a delicious shot of some chocolate chip cookies I made last night. Yes folks, I actually baked something!

Definitely in remission!

I am officially in remission!!! I saw my doctor yesterday and it is official. I will stay on certain meds long-term, although it would be nice to go off the prednisone and some others! I also will continue to follow my diet and take my blood pressure medicine. At the moment I am fighting this flu that is running rampant through my house, but I am miles better than I was a week ago. I also will continue the epogen shots as my red blood cells are not where they should be. Interestingly I did not realize the epogen stung because I had gotten them with the neuprogen and the pain from those overshadowed the stinging.

Now for the yarn! I had been miserable and was having a huge loll on the crochet/knitting front. I decided to do some washcloths to try to kickstart things. Here are the results! The kids have requested washcloths with their names on them, that will be the next project, along with finishing all the hats I have due. The heart cloth is from Nicole's pattern, found here.

It is very, very nice to be feeling so much better.

Sunday, March 02, 2008

No more neoprogen!

As of yesterday I no longer have to get the neuprogen shots, WOOHOO!!! These were the more painful of the two. I am really hoping that all of my levels are up enough that I also will no longer need the epogen shots, but I won't find out until tomorrow.

It really looks like I am in remission and I cannot describe in words how great this feels. Incredible. I am waking up in the mornings with real energy, and making it through the days without having to nap. I do need a little downtime still, but I don't have that bone-tired exhaustion and it is amazing. I taught Sunday School today, went to church, out to lunch, have been able to clean my house and do laundry, I'm playing with my kids and still (mostly) have enough left to form sentences!

I did have a few reminders of the neuro failings today, when spelling the name Kia today at Sunday School I actually said Key-I-A. Key? Really?

I am so happy, so relieved, and so happy to be in this place. Just to be able to do normal daily activities is so nice and its a little funny to be happy about things like laundry, but it's so worth it.