Update

Well, I'm still feeling great. That's SUCH a good thing!

About a week after my last post, though, I ended up in the hospital with a serious infection caused by the latest chemo treatment I'd had. I was in for five days on IV antibiotics, a surgical procedure to drain an abscess, and a platelet and blood transfusion. Yikes!! None of that was from the cancer. All of it was from the treatments.

So I took a six week vacation from chemo. Last treatment left off the third cocktail that seemed to cause all the chemistry problems.

After I recuperated somewhat from the hospital stay, my cousin and I went to her town home in Palm Harbor, FL for four days. We had an awesome time!

Ive signed up for Palliative Care. It lets me easily refuse tests and preventive medicine at my discretion without docs calling me non compliant. (Like I care! Ha!) I met the doc last Tuesday. Really nice young man. He'll visit once a month and, when or if I'm ready to transition into hospice, his team will be the ones by my side. I like that.

So the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, we had Tom's family over for a lasagna Thanksgiving. So much fun. I ordered in the lasagna, garlic bread and meatballs. Made the snackies and a big salad. By the time they left, I was completely exhausted. Yikes!

Thanksgiving we went to a friend's house. Had a wonderful day. My taste buds are all messed up from the treatments, so tasting dinner was a challenge. Fortunately, though, I have quite an imagination. Ha!

This Thursday I'm going to New Buffalo, Michigan with my cousin. A casino. We get a comped suite and dinner in their wonderful steakhouse, Copper Rock. Then room service breakfast the next morning, more gambling, then home.

On Sunday, Tom and I are going with friends to see the Christmas lights in downtown Chicago by trolley. We stop at a Christmas bizzare and Zoolights, enjoy a chili supper and our byob faves.

On Monday night, we're going to the Chicago Bulls game at the United Center. I ran into my slot host at the casino in Elgin today, and she invited me and a guest -- Tom, of course -- to their United Center suite. Complimentary limo ride. I've never seen a live basketball game. And never saw a sporting event from a corporate suite. Looking forward.

By Tuesday, I should be back in the hospital. Hahaha!!

..........


Im telling you all of this to just let you know that I'm living as fast as I can. Lolol. No symptoms except for some shortness of breath on mild exertion. Today I ordered a portable oxygen concentrator to alleviate some of that. It's coming tomorrow. It weighs 4.5 pounds, has four hour battery and delivers 2 liters of oxy on demand and bursts up to 5. I am blessed to be able to afford it.

Love you guys...

 

[Redress]

Hope you continue to feel good, and enjoy your trip!

 

[truthatallcost]

How'd you like the Bulls game?

Keep kicking cancer's ass and stick around DP for many years to come Maggie.

 

[MaggieD]

Bulls game is this coming Monday. I'll letcha' know!

 

[bubbabgone]

You are the best Milady.

 

[Hawkeye10]

If you would not mind please give us some insights into your experience...I am wondering what you originally decided re telling people in RL your diagnosis, at least during the time you feel relatively able to act normal, and if you have had any interest in doing a rethink based upon the months that have happened since. I ask because one thing that I hear over and over is that one of the most annoying things is that once people know they tend to start acting all weird, which is no fun, draining actually....that it is something to be avoided for as long as possible.

I assume that close family and good friends get to know regardless, but what about everyone else?

Thank you, and I find you to be an inspiration.

 

[DiAnna]

So glad to hear you're feeling better, hon. *hugs*

 

[Risky Thicket]

Damn girl, you are living the life! Good on you. It's good to hear that other than chemo you are feeling good.

Thank you for the updates. I am certain many of us want to know how you are doing but don't want to hound you. Updates are good.

 

[MaggieD]

Thank you for all of your comments. They are sooo meaningful to me.

Hawkeyes, I rarely miss an opportunity to tell people my diagnosis. All of my friends and family know...many casual acquaintances...even chemo patients with whom I share appointments. Stage Four. Terminal. Ya'all probably know that Stage Four means the primary site has found the super highway thru one's bloodstream and has settled in little nooks and crannies to set up shop. In my case, so far, it's in my liver.

I have a black sense of humor I try to control, but dayum, it's hard! Laughter is how I cope and how I help others cope with me as well. I like to think I've helped others look at things differently...from denial to acceptance.

I could tell you very touching stories about my interaction with other cancer patients, but suffice to say, those interactions tell me I'm on the right page. Openness, honesty, no fear of showing emotion. Those things are my strength. I hope that, in some itsy bitsy way I'm helping others who will, as we all do, look death straightin the eye and decide to live anyway.

So I'm the exact opposite of those who say they keep their diagnosis to themselves. But I'm understanding enough to get that we're all different and there is no right or wrong...

Hope this makes sense.

 

[nota bene]

Pulling for you, Maggie.

 

[Jack Fabulous]

Great to hear that you are enjoying yourself and living life to the fullest, Maggie. You are truly an inspiration!

 

[Your Star]

Glad you're having fun, Mags! Stay strong.