Hola!
Written by JKM on November 20th, 2008Happy Wednesday, everyone!!
So it’s around 6:15 PM Pacific time, and I’m sitting here on the couch, doin’ a lil bloggin’ and eagerly awaiting my show, “Wheel of Fortune”…unfortunately they have not yet put my wheel watcher’s id up there yet, so I haven’t won anything, but I’m telling ya….if you get my mom and I up there, we would be amaaaaaazing!!!
Remember how I used to do a little dancin’ while getting ready for my day? Well, I would like to announce that the dancing has begun again, and I think it is quite a good sign! I also noticed that my ankles feel a lot stronger when I walk. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not doing miles, and I still have that magnet/couch/bed thing going on, but I’m feeling good. My rash is a lot better, my eyes are less puffy, and was that a flash of my old self I saw in the mirror there? There are a couple annoying things I’ll just go ahead and get off my chest. TMI, perhaps, but annoying nonetheless. So usually, I pluck or wax my eyebrows and my upper lip (even though everyone swears to me there’s nothing there—once you get it in your head that you have hair on your face, you’ve got to have it removed!!) Given my platelets, I was not able to pluck or wax, so I innocently grabbed a nose-hair clipper to shave those areas….word to the wise, DO NOT DO THAT!!! Especially if you’re taking Cyclosporin (the GVHD drug)…according to my nurse, it makes you furry. EWWWWW!!! So now I have little stubbles all over my eyebrows (that I try to hide with my glasses), some on my lip and —-this is the worst—-even some on my chin!!!! She told me the best thing to do is wait because it won’t last forever, and pretty soon I’ll be able to pluck or wax. Now I know this seems like a little bitty problem compared to other things I should be worrying about right now, but I still firmly believe that something good should happen when you get cancer…like instantly your skin is beautifully clear, your hair is thick and gorgeous, and you’re a model or something. Seems fair, right?
Our favorite neighbors, Mary and Yo, left today to go back home to Florida, and we will really miss them! It was always a brighter day if we ran into them either at the clinic, here at the apartments or anywhere in between. We miss you two, but I hope you’re happy and safe and getting some rest in your own place. We will definitely be in touch!!
To be honest, I haven’t gotten the full-blown homesick effect yet, mostly because I hear from everyone so often, and so many have made the trip out here to visit. I just take it day by day and somehow we get to day 43 post-transplant—yup, 43! Can you believe it? In fact, I was thinking today, in some ways, I will be sad to go home. Let me see if I can explain why….when I’m here, I feel like I’m at least a part of the city even though I may be looking out at it from a car/apartment/clinic window lots of the time. Something is always going on, I have lots to watch, and I don’t have to work. 
Hmm…that didn’t come out the way I wanted it to. In January, I will be ecstatic to head back to VA and back to my own home, but then the old routine kind of rears its ugly head again….we have to drive further to get to the hospital or doctor’s office, I will be mostly stuck in the house without much contact with others, unless they come out to see me. I will, of course, see the owls though! They better be waiting to greet me! The newness and order of our apartment in Seattle will return to the stresses we have connected to everyday life and our home in VA. It’s all just overwhelming. Let alone my job prospects (and when I will be allowed to look for one!) and my facial hair issues. hahaha just had to get that last one in there!!! Does any of that make sense?
I guess what it winds down to is that I like being the center of attention, I love the visits, I want people around me, so leaving this world here (and it is like a different world-the SCCA world) makes me nervous. I will figure out a way to get around this ’cause I know I don’t want to stay out here forever!
Anywayyyy, I’m doing well….just sharing my deep thoughts. It’s now 8:30, and my mom and I are watching “Frasier”…I’m looking forward to “Private Practice” later!
Hope everyone is doing well!!
Love from Seattle,
Julie
PS My mom just read this blog, and I thought I better try and clarify my feelings some more. As I’ve said in earlier posts, I can’t wait to come home to see all of you, my little pups and my kitty! I am excited, I’m just a little nervous and overwhelmed at the same time. My only job is to get well over here, but once I’m home, all the usual stresses come along with day-to-day life. The schedule will be changed, and well, I guess it’s just a transition. It was hard coming out and getting used to the schedule, and it will be hard going back home to readjust. I’ll try to come up with better wording for my next post.
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AM
I’m glad you’re dancing again! Is it to the theme song for “Family Ties” by any chance?
I think being sad about leaving is completely understandable! Although you feel there is no place like home, Emerald City can be pretty dazzling and I’m glad you can experience its charm.
Think about how great it will be to go back and visit Seattle, knowing so many great restaurants, parks and dog hot spots.
I love you a lot! I’m going to see if Frasier is playing on Lifetime and think of you and Mom…
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AM
I think Katie stated it perfectly. It’s great that once you do leave Seattle you’ll have such fond memories of the city, all things considered. Even though there will be stressors that exist once you’re back to VA, hopefully they will be ones which are more within your control and which allow you to achieve a sense of “normalcy”…whatever that is!!
20
PM
Julie -
I checked your blog today because I’m getting started on Twitter and wanted to enter your blog as one to follow. Then I read the deal about the hair on your face . . .took me a minute to digest that. So, what are you going for a goatee or maybe just a little soul patch?
Heard about George Steinbrenner turning over the Yankees to his son. Kind of mixed emotions about that. He really brought the team back, I thought, but a new era is called for (and it’s called winning some more World Series!).
Anyway, I just wanted to say Hi. And also to say that you’ve inspired me to improve my health. I went on a diet 2 months ago, and I’ve lot 27 pounds. The weight loss helped me start running again and Jake and I do 1.5 miles every morning. I feel so much better.
So, you go girl!
Have an outstanding day!
Don
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PM
I’m loving the princess gear–but it’s really pink!!!! Looks like there’s plenty to eat. I talked with Tracie and she said that she was having some special company for Thanksgiving. Our little guy still doesn’t have it straight that you are not in Virginia–November and Virginia just go together to him. Don’t worry, Julie–a little bit of hair never came between anybody in our family. . .except for the back of Laurel’s hair when she was a teenager!!
Love, Aunt Ellie
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AM
ONce again I’m getting flashbacks when I read your blog…
ONe day, maybe around Day +70–after almost a year of being really sick–I was filling up the dish washer at our Pete Gross apartment and without thinking I kicked my right leg back to close the dishwasher door, something I hadn’t done since waaay before the transplant. It was a moment of realization–”I am finally healing!”
Likewise, I remember kind of enjoying the simplicity of life…the only thing you HAVE to do is get well, whatever that takes. Pete Gross living required a sort of minimalist existance (minimal furniture, minimal vacuuming, minimal stuff to keep track of) that I found appealing. When we finally got home we felt completely overwhelmed by the stuff and routine we left behind. Part of me still wants to back up a big dumpster and toss 90% of the stuff (clutter, really) in our house and, hence, in our life.
YOur next video should be hula hooping…one on each arm, one around the neck and three around the waist!
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PM
Okay- Ellie did NOT go there about the back of my hair. Here I am reading your most inner feelings and trying to remember the name of that crappy Australian wax they sold in the 90’s and then I read “the back of Laurel’s hair”. As for liking the attention- good! Better get very used to it. La Reina deserves it. Keep on dancin’!
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Princess, keep on DANCING! You are doing great, don’t sweat the small stuff(hairs). I love you just the way you are.
Love,
Aunt Bitz