Two days to go!! Well, actually, one and a half days. We leave Monday around 6 AM to head out to Seattle. Aside from having to drop my babies off at the kennel tomorrow morning, I’m quite excited. I did a little photo shoot with them tonight so I can have a good picture to take out to SCCA. It will grace one of the many transplant survivor boards. When I was at the clinic, I stopped and looked at each board while walking to and from my appointments. Each face gave me hope, and I couldn’t wait until they asked me for my own mug. I spent about an hour looking through photos to find the perfect shot, until I decided to get dressed up, fix my hair and makeup and create some new shots. And I didn’t even go anywhere tonight!! I wonder if other patients spend this much time picking that perfect picture-of-health photo to share. 
All is well here, aside from a weird jaw issue. Lately, I’ve been waking up with a swollen left cheek (and sometimes right too). When I touch my upper jaw, it feels like a bruise. Ibuprofen and ice bring the swelling down, but it’s obviously not a permanent fix. Strange, huh? I visited my primary care this week, and he’s not sure what it is. He sent me to get an X-ray to make sure I didn’t have osteonecrosis, a rare side effect from Fosamax, one of my pills…I looked up “osteonecrosis” on Wikipedia and found the phrase “dead bone from poor blood flow”. Thank goodness the X-ray came out clear!! My next step is to visit a dentist (which I’ll do in Seattle)…it could be that my mouth guard needs to be manipulated. Yup, I’m a tooth grinder!…unfortunately. I’m thinking good thoughts for my jaw. =)
Is it just me or do medical waiting rooms make you sleepy? I thought I might knock out while waiting for the X-ray. I blame it on the whisperers sitting next to me. Seriously, anytime people start whispering, I just want to grab a pillow and fall asleep…is that normal?Â
Speaking of sleep, this is a short post ’cause I’m tired, and I have to get up early to drive the pups to the kennel. If I’m not too busy partying, I’ll try and post from Seattle. I hope everyone is doing well.
Lots of love,
Julie
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- My baby boy enjoying the ride.
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- Indie just went home yesterday, but we sure had a wonderful time with her! She enjoyed our evening drives (she was lucky enough to sit shotgun!).
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- Walking at the lake..."buddies".
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- Can you believe they all sat still for this shot?!! Too bad they're looking the other direction, but a good pic nonetheless.
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- I dropped the leash so Guinny could swim, and boy did he enjoy that!!!
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- Time to shake it off!!!
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- Look at those gorgeous eyes...what a sweetie.
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- "So, did you bring us anything from Starbucks or what?!"
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- "Why does Indie always get to sit in the front?" (because she's too big to fit in the back!)
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- hahahaha Katie, Kathy, Catherine, Trinka and I went out to a fancy girls' dinner at "Chez Francois" last night. I got up to use the restroom, and when I came back, they were all laughing hysterically at these photos of their faces through the wine glasses....geez...I can't leave them for a second. :) This would be Kathy.
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- Katie's friend, Trinka.
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- Katie
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- Look at those sexy gals! It was a wonnnnderful evening...delicious food and great company.
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- Shot #1 of photo shoot...the straight hair version.
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- Shot #2...I love Guinny's expression.
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- Shot #3...with my babies.
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- Jamie and I
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- Did you notice that I changed my hair in the various pics?---from straight to curled to curled and pulled back. I told you I put a lot of thought into this photo!! I think I'm either taking this photo or the first one to Seattle...what are your opinions?
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Julie, you look great! I love your hair! I think my favorite picture is the last one. You should use that one.
I’m glad you had a nice dinner with the ladies, and I hope you have a wonderful trip to Seattle! i can’t wait to hear about everything you do this trip.
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I vote for the last one with you leaning left; makes you look more vibrant, which is what you are so let the world know, too.
Word’s been out for a while about the Fosamax causing jaw problems. Not necrosis (dead bone), rather a weakening of the jaw. What I read says just tell your dentist you are on Fosamax before any major work. They’ll have you go off the Fosamax for a few months before doing the work.
My first thought about your jaw pain was teeth grinding. I had it bad before leukemia — my ear would also hurt–but for some reason it went away afterward.
Have a great time! “No residual disease!”