Here's the Headlines:
Still on several antibiotics... home infusion is so interesting and I have great home health care nurse :)
Still have my crazy Hickman infection, but so much better... just ask Alissa... she saw it at it's WORST!
Don't do much interesting and am entertained by the simplest things... you don't want to know how much TV I now watch LOL
Can't imagine me doing my pre-diagnosis life... hmmm... who will I become in 2011???
I actually miss doing my animal "chores"... but I am accepting it will be a while before I can safely do ANYTHING...
Miss COC a lot and all my wonderful colleagues... but can't imagine doing what I used to do...
Miss hanging out with all of you and being NORMAL... hahahaha, if that is what I was before...
Miss feeling well... I think this whole ordeal was so challenging for me because I was so HEALTHY for most of my life...
If I had been sickly most of my life ... perhaps it would have just been another speed bump???
Love hearing of everyone's exciting adventures, trips, goals, plans, etc... but makes me think about my changed future... what will I be able to do????
OK, enough of this...
Perhaps visitors soon????? :) You must be 1000% healthy and not exposed to anyone... but WARNING... I'm really not that much fun and may fall asleep while you're visiting me!
THANK YOU AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN FOR YOUR WONDERFUL COMMENTS. Please know how much they mean to me, and for those of you who have been down this road, your advice is invaluable to me. I love you all and please know your comments and you staying in touch with me all throughout June, July and now August has helped save my life!
Big sanitized hugs to all of you!!!!
And on a happy note:
HAPPY ONE YEAR BIRTHDAY TO PAWS, AUG 6 !
(am I remembering correctly Terri, Dan and Doggie Clan?)
Julie,
ReplyDeleteI was so happy to read that you are feeling better, and it's so normal to feel disconnected and kind of like you are observing life. Even though I'm pretty much back to normal (except that now my hair is weirdly curly), I tend to think in terms of "before" and "after". I guess you have no choice unless you completely block it all out, which isn't possible!
I think about you every day, and I know that you will continue to be strong as you get better. When you feel like you can handle caring about the hair issue, I can make some recommendations that really work-Latisse for your lashes and eybrows and Ovation Cell Therapy for your hair. Yours was far thicker and nicer than mine before, and it will be again, believe me. This stuff helps, and helps to feel normal quicker.
Sending beautiful thoughts and hugs,
Jennifer
Hey Julie! I am so happy you are doing so well! I think about you every day and anxiously await to read your updated blog. Take good care and know that all of your COC family are missing you and praying for good health and happiness for you! Love ya, Leslie C.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie! Glad to see you are doing better. I am constantly thinking of you and hoping to see you soon. I completely understand the cooties thingy being that i went through the same thing with Madelyn in the NICU and following procedures for home. Take good care my lil' preemie. Love you lots!
ReplyDeleteHey Jules,
ReplyDeleteYou and Baby Emily have so much in common already. She falls asleep while people are visiting too. :)
I'm so glad that you are doing better. Miss you lots. Can't wait to see you again. Love reading your updates. Kim and I think of you daily and pray that each day gets better and better for you. Love ya. Claudia, Kim and Emily Rose.
Here is an idea...have Jim move a nice, comfy chair or couch near a window and have a "walk-up window for visiters" That way you won't be taking any chances with germy people in your house. I think it may work....let me know when you are ready to give it a go!
ReplyDeleteHi Julie,
ReplyDeleteYes I am glad you are feeling better each day. I can imagine how you feel being healthy and active then sick...hang in there, you are building your strength back up. So glad your infection is moving OUT! I am looking forward to visiting you soon. Thanks for your posts even when you are not feeling well.
Love, miss and thinking of you everyday.
Jan
Happy Birthday Paws! Now the important thing is out of the way I'm going to say something odd - I found that because I'd been a bit rough during my SCT holiday when I did start to feel betterer I appreciated it more.
ReplyDeleteI KNOW it can be frustrating realising there are things you'll never do, I'll never be able to run a marathon for example, I never wanted to mind, but if I had I could have done, now because of my MM it's inadvisable to run for a bus - so the potential to run a marathon has gone! BUT I don't now need to run for a bus because I learned to drive!
Very warm wishes and don't let the myeloma ground you down! ;D
Hi Julie,
ReplyDeleteGlad to know things are looking up....one day at a time is the BEST way to navigate through life.
Miss your smiling face in the canyon and look forward to seeing you soon. I will refrain until you are feeling a bit better as I don't want to take any chances of passing and germies your way.
Just know you are so often in my thoughts and prayers. Many people (my friends and family) ask about you frequently.
That port infection must have been something else if it's still bugging you. I hope it's cleared up really soon.
If there's anything you need,please let me know. I can drop it off without coming in.
Hugs to yo and the family.
Shawn
Hi Julie, I'm figuring out I am blog-posting challenged so if this is a duplicate I'm sorry.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm so glad to hear you're in your own home and starting to feel better. I miss you at COC. I just LOVE to follow your blog. I imagine besides being informative and entertaining, it is somewhat therapeutic for you. I'm looking forward to coming for a visit when you give the go ahead. With love and prayers, Gay
Hey Radar!
ReplyDeleteI'm soooo glad you're feeling better! As several of your friends on here have said, it DOES get better! See? They were right!
Stachia and I finally were able to bite the bullet and drive the three day 1200 mile journey home from Yuma, Arizona, last week. As YOU said, it's good to be home!!! Her broken ankle is still broken (duh!), but it's healing up pretty well on a s-l-o-w schedule. She's still in a wheelchair 90% of the time, but she's in a walking boot now and we're starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Whew!
I am continually amazed at how you are able to keep up with this blog. You are such an amazing writer! And under such unbelievable circumstances too! All of us who follow your blog are soooo lucky to even know you!
I've been tempted to email you, but maybe this blog is the best way to keep in touch. Let me know which you'd prefer.
The NSA conference is in Ft. Worth next summer and I expect you here, young lady!!!
Keep in touch! I read your blog often! Each day you will feel better and better...!
Love,
Russ
Dear Julie,
ReplyDeleteIt's good you are back home surrounded by the people and animals you love... and thank heavens for home health providers. Although you had a wonderful team of professionals at COH, it must be nice to be back in the comfort of your own beautiful home.
Let me know when you install the "walk-up window in your house and we can parade through to chat with you through a microphone. (Hum... sounds familiar? Think CCC originally!)
Thanks for the updates. It's comforting to read your blog and know that you are making progress.
Thinking of you daily,
Edel
Dear Julie,
ReplyDeleteYou are such a stellar role model for all of us. I am so in awe of you!!!! Always have been and always will be one of your biggest fans.
All my love and prayers,
Beryl
Julie!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear your first week home has been a positive experience. I L-O-V-E Kelly's idea of the "walk-up window for visitors"! You can even keep the window shut and we can use dixie cups or cell phones (provided we each learn how to operate our new phones) to communicate lol. I didn't get Michelle's cold but will wait a few more days to not take any chances and be SURE. If you want a walk up window guinea pig, I'm your customer! Maybe we can incorporate a visit with a new phone training session where we both learn how to use our new devices with an on-site technology educator :) It could be like an informal COC class!
Continue to feel better, my friend, and I hope to see you soon. Love and (germ free) hugs from the crew! Lori
Julie,
ReplyDeleteYou are so amazing. I have seen and met people who have been in your situation and don't pull through. They give up, but once in a while you have people like yourself keeping strong and the fact that you still have a sense of humor about it, truly speaks of your character. For you, to take time and try to keep your friends in the loop and trying to keep our spirits up about your progress... well, I can't even being to tell you how much of an inspiration you are to me. You are missed greatly.
FYI... Don't watch Jersey Shore.
Julie,,,we are thrilled to hear of your positive results!! Keep those white cells coming,,,and creepy germmies away I say!!!! And,HAPPY to hear that there have actually been sightings of you drinking & eating. This is a good/great thing. Hows the painting coming??? Expect to see it hanging on the wall some time this year, ;)
ReplyDeletelol..Im laughing at Kelli & Lori- I had this mental picture of us coming up to the window and grabbing a funnel connected to a hose that leads thru the closed window where at the opposite end of this hose is another funnel. Sounds like a fun experiment. Let me know when you have it all hooked up..and we will form a line.
Thank you for your continued reports. I find comfort hearing your sense of humor, high spirits, and relentless determination. YOU GO GIRL...YOU ARE OUR HERO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love to you, with Cyber Hugs...Sharon
Julie, You are our hero indeed.......... We are so thankful you are doing so well. Each day you will get stronger and stronger. Like Sharon said Thank you for keepin us updated on your recovery. Your sense of humor and strength is truly amazing..... Just take one day at a time. You are and will always be the precious person you are. Touching those around you with your care and concern. Maybe a bit slower but that's alright. You, Dear One have been through a lot.
ReplyDeleteYou and the rest of the family are in our thoughts and prayers. Stay Strong and know you are Loved by many..............
Neel and Evelyn
PS. I am one of those you touched and changed my life in a mighty way....
From Ashley the Pony's mom:
ReplyDeleteHi Julie! We are so relieved you are back home and that this is behind you now rather than in front of you. I may leave Ashley the Pony at home but would love to come visit you when you are up to it. Would you like me to drop off some People Magazines?
Happy trails and hugs to you!
Ashley, Linda, Ric, Athena and Buford the Bassets and the horses...
Julie,I am really glad you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteFunny how basic things like looking after your
animals can look so good when you have not been
doing it.Anyway I am looking forward to hearing
of you doing that and going on your boat in Havasu.Did a tax today for someone who bought a
house there.Keep going slow and healing.