What an amazing day!!!!  I woke up early to watch the Inauguration (11:15 AM—I missed their drive to the Capitol)….hahahaha, like 11:15 is early!  It was inspiring, exciting, and touching.  Katie got to the metro around 4 or so, and it took her about 2 hours (I think that’s right, isn’t it Katie?) to get into DC!  Crazy, isn’t it?  She got some good pictures, and now she can always say she was part of history!  Watching it on TV was nice, but to be there?  Katie can tell her children about this someday, and she will forever be part of history.  We are so lucky to be close to Washington, DC.

I have to say though that I was completely disgusted by those people in the crowd who boo’ed Bush.  I feel like our society is getting ruder and ruder, which is disappointing.  It’s nice that they can express themselves and not get shot, but at the Inauguration?!!  Seriously, what’s wrong with people?  Anytime  politics is involved, I know that people’s feelings and tempers get heated, but there’s a little thing called R-E-S-P-E-C-T (you should sing this when reading, by the way) :).

Phew…feels good to get that out!  Let’s move on!  Rachel, I have to say that I agree with Laura…you would be an absolutely amaaaaaaazing personal assistant.  Now, the question is (as Laura pointed out), how do we meet famous people?!  Anyone out there know of a famous person in need of an excellent personal assistant?  Seriously, how do people get into that field?  Do you have to know someone who knows someone?  I definitely don’t know anyone!  But if I run into one, I’m bringing up your name, if that’s all right with you, Rachel!!!

Let’s see…today was a pretty uneventful day.  I’ve lost some weight which is good since the steroids added some pounds.  I watched the Inauguration, slept for 3 hours (I’ve been feeling that heavy tiredness again, probably because there are no steroids on board anymore ), watched some of the parade and basically rested the rest of the day.  Mrs. Tiso brought dinner by, and it was delicious!  Thank you so much!  My mom was relieved to have dinner waiting for her when she got home (although technically it wasn’t totally made, but my dad and I did turn on the oven)!

I’ve got some good strong yawns coming on, so maybe I’ll fall asleep before 3 AM tonight!  That would be good, because I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow.  Think good thoughts!  The only complaints I have are my sore ankles and left knee, my increased fatigue, and some minor stomach issues.  I’ll update you tomorrow with my counts and my reunion with my friends at the practice.

Here’s something funny, and I remember this happening last time too.  I keep thinking my catheter is in my chest, and I’ll reach to push it out of the way and it’s not there!!  I got so used to pushing it when it got in my way when I was sleeping or when it was just in my way….it’s like having a “ghost catheter”…isn’t that what they call it when someone loses a limb and then they feel like it’s there?

I guess I don’t have too much else to say today.  My dad reminded me that today marks four years since my first diagnosis.  That’s so hard to believe!!  I’ll always remember each diagnosis day because the first one was Inauguration Day and the second (and last!!!) one was my dad’s birthday.  My dad also pointed out that I’ve come a long way since the first time.  Despite the relapse, I now have Laura’s cells, and they are doing their job as I type.  Plus, if I didn’t have the relapse, I might never have known what an incredible city Seattle is.  I’ll just think of January 20th and June 3rd as days that call for celebration.

Wow…I really am yawning over here!!!  Midnight is a decent hour to go to bed, don’t you think?  OK, over and out.  Talk to you later!  I attached photos of flowers in Seattle, something to brighten your wintery day.

Enjoy!

Love,

Julie