Pardon the interruption in service....

One of last week's snow storms knocked out my land line, thereby messing up my DSL as well.

Today the dear folks from Verizon cleared things up, happily, and so I, and my blog, are back in bidness.

It was hard to be without email, I must say. Something like withdrawal set in, but I had other things going on, so I didn't notice it much.

Other things? Well, my back has been killing me since I was sprung from MassGeneral, and I found out why this past week. It's due to a combination of the posture my poor mother tried to improve (unsuccessfully) for decades and the fact I was in various pieces of hospital equipment for more than a week.

Not good for one's back, that stuff.

So, I am now on medicine for pain and have exercises to do, thanks to a marvelous PT I saw on Friday. Add in a reusable ice pack from CVS, and things have definitely begun to look up yet again.

Still, I was feeling dragged out, and they did some more blood work. Seems I'm due for another transfusion in the coming week, which is no surprise for someone in my booties. The good news is that the work also showed that my platelets are up yet again--up to 150 (from a low of 47 when I first checked in to the hospital). While low normal is 300 or so, this is still progress, and I am happy for it.

There have been scores of dear people in the house this week, bearing groceries, shovels, leashes (for the Bombshell, mind you), videos/DVDs/books on tape and more--one even brought his scissors and trimmer, so yours truly could have a decent hair cut. And another not only "house sat" while I went to church in case Verizon came to fix my phone while I was out (they did), she brought treats, including a Midwestern delicacy called "crud." Delightful!

This parade of sweet peas made a challenging week less so, and I am ever so grateful, friends. Thank you, too, to those sending well wishes--those are cheerfully accepted anytime!

Well, this is about as much time in front of a monitor as my stomach can stand right now; thank you for checking in. Love from me and the Princess Shwea

Make that four naps/day

Expected to feel tired this week, but this is an unexpected level of tired. I understand my dear carcass is undergoing a major, er, challenge, so fatigue makes sense.

Just wish I was better at lolling about than I am (and if asked I would have thought I would be really, really good at it--shows what I know!).

Still, I managed to go to Jo and Ann's (and Chloe and Isaiah's) last night, thanks to their very kind invite (and ride service). Good to be out and about with dear people, little and otherwise. We watched part of the "Wizard of Oz," and I got to see my homeboy, the Cowardly Lion, react to being swatted on the nose by Dorothy.

Never get tired of that.

Came home to a call from my cousin Pat, which was a nice surprise. She's in the midst of Wisconsin in February, so let us all think warm thoughts on her behalf. (You don't want to know what it's like out there now.)

Last night and today we had a big-ish storm, and I've been hearing loud "PLOP!" sounds on the roof all day. Sounds as though people are dropping boxes, but it's just the heavy white stuff landing above. My snow removal guy showed up (happy day!) and Karen was just here to get my order for CVS and the store. And to make me call my Boston doc, as I have had some chest congestion the past two days.

Happily, his office did not recommend anything involving an ED visit, and as long as I don't develop a fever, I should be okay waiting until Friday morning, when I see my new PCP. Whew!

So this qualifies as a good day.

The fun? It never ends.

It's raining fruit

Woke up yesterday feeling a little beat up, still. Well, I tend to wake up that way every day, since my arm was manhandled by a blood pressure cuff at MassGeneral. The good news is that some Tylenol appears to do the trick in addressing it and my aching back (which may be from either sleeping "funny" or from all the time I've spent in seats with no back support of late).

Anyway, I also am off steroids for the week, which also gives me less vim and vigor to work with; am taking naps as my dear carcass demands, which is about twice a day right now.

Even so, I had a lovely visit from Karen yesterday, who called while she was shopping and brought me some nice things to eat (including vanilla ice cream and hot fudge, which I have been jonesing for for days now). Also was greeted in the morning by the delivery of an edible bouquet, courtesy of Tricia, a dear gal who I worked with for just a bit a Big Company. It was dear of her to think of me (and typical of her to send something healthy--she can't help herself 8-).

In the afternoon, Mary came by to take me out of a little something at Evolution Cafe before I had my blood test of the day. It was good to be "out," if you know what I mean, even if I feel as though I move a lot like the old man character that Arte Johnson portrayed in "Laugh In" ages ago.

No land speed records for this gal for a while, I have a feeling.

Speaking of records, I did make a big dent in the mail pile--that felt wonderful--and responded to some inquiries from my short-term disability provider and others who needed some info. Nice to feel almost/sort of caught up there. I also made the rounds in the back yard, cleaning up the evidence that Shwea's digestive tract is working just fine, thank you (and for that I am grateful). Figured it would be good to take care of that before the snow fell, if indeed it did.

Lastly, in the afternoon, a UPS man came by with two big boxes of Harry & David pears, courtesy of my sister Beth. He also came bearing a biscuit for Shwea, which was a hit, to put it mildly. (She will expect the same from all trucks from here on in, but that's how the Bombshell works).

Now, it's snowing--the weather guys called it right this time. I've already had one nap today, and if this keeps up, it might be a multi-nap kind of Tuesday.

So, all things considered, I'm okay. Hope you are, too.

Things are looking up--still!

The day began with the great news from the local clinic that I no longer have to give myself a shot (in the stomach no less) twice a day--that alone would have been enough to make it a keeper!

That was followed by church, which was the usual love fest, but with a situation-specific twist. I attend a hug-happy church, which is marvelous 99.9% of the time, but since I have to be extra careful about germs these days (and I'm supposed to be careful not to get any of my chemo on/near anybody either), a "Don't hug Ann!" alert was issued.

Couple Bonnie and Alice were assigned as my "bodyguards," for pity's sake, and if you met those two, you know I was well protected.

Still, I was on the receiving end of many "air" hugs and kisses, and it was just great to be back to the loving, sweet confines of Haydenville Congregational Church after what I think was a four-week absence. Too long!

Then Hilary came by with a delicious lunch, and we had a great time catching-up (under Shwea's watchful eye; she landed some carrots for her hard work, not to worry).

A nap was in order next, and Shwea happily aided and abetted that cause.

Soon, I expect Barb and Deb to appear with fixin's for a good stir fry. We might watch an old movie, too (I'm thinking "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"--we shall see).

Oh, happy day!!!

Treatment #4 done!

Went to Boston for just my infusion today--no lab work, no doc visit, nada--so it was a fairly brisk business. Was given a ride by Kathleen K from church, who landed me there in plenty of time, happily.

My nurse, Andrea, not only had family in Wisconsin but also lived in Northampton during her college years, so we had plenty to chat about.

Of course, when do I not have plenty to chat about?

Came home to a phone call from my local clinic, avid to check my blood levels (this blood thinning business is fraught, as you may know). So, I drove myself there (I needed to drive my car, what can I say?) and on the way home stopped at Friendly's for takeout (grilled cheese with tomato and french fries--Shwea was thrilled, too).

Then I received a hilarious update on the life and times of my friend Jennifer Myszkowski, and now I'm getting ready to watch some streaming comedies courtesy of Netflix (what a great invention).

So, all and all, today has been a good day, and I am feeling fairly good. It's a steroid day, of course, which certainly helps.

I'm not going to quibble. Good is good.

A little ray o' hope

It took two trips, but I think the ear/nose/throat specialist I saw today managed to stem the tide in my nose. My friend Deb did a stellar job of driving me to the clinic twice, and I am ever-so-grateful she was up for the driving challenge that entailed. (What a friend we have in someone who ignores "No U-Turn" signs.)

Will spare you the details, but I pray that I do not have to sit through what I sat through today again. Ever.

Didn't think of myself as squeamish, but today I learned I have at least one limit where my carcass is concerned.

Came home to take a nap with you-know-who that was just perfect. Woke to a nice chat with my friend Kat out in San Francisco, followed by the delivery of a delicious meal from one of my dear church community, Emily.

Things are looking up, friends.

Thanking you all for the commiserations and kindnesses, Ann

Oh, crap

I've spent the last seven hours in the local ED, courtesy of a nosebleed that started this afternoon. (Thanks to Ginger for the ride, Maria for feeding the Bombshell, and Anne for giving her blondness her nighttime walk, btw.)

As you can imagine, a nosebleed, even of the 9-plus hour variety, is not a show-stopper in a busy ED, so the wait was not surprising.

Unfortunately, my options were few, and the ED is where the Boston doc told me to go.

Goddess bless Ann H. for sitting with me the entire time, telling tales and generally keeping the time passing along. Thanks, too, to Jo, who was left in charge of their children while Ann was watching me hold gauze to my nose.

Fascinating!

Must say, I was really surprised at how angry I was at this latest twist in my saga. Multiple myeloma? Check. Blood clot?? Well, it can be borne. But an endless nose bleed?!!

Now I'm pissed.

Could you stand some good news?

Sky, Karen and yours truly heard an earful today at my third treatment. The blood work showed that my bone marrow is definitely back on line, my platelets are up, creatinine down and generally speaking, the numbers are trending in the right direction all along the line.

Wooooooheeeeeeee!

My chest pains have abated, too, and while I still have this odd numbness in my left arm, overall, I am feeling pretty darn good.

And while yesterday I feared I would be checked in to MassGeneral tonight, I am home--home!

Let's savor this moment, shall we? Love from me and the Bombshell.....

Cherry on top, reporting for duty

I'm just back from a night at the hospital, thanks to chest pains that started yesterday morning.

Seems I have a blood clot on top of everything else, and now will be taking blood thinners for the foreseeable.

Just like my papa!

Ain't tradition grand?

Seriously, between having cancer and being flat on my back for a week, I was a prime candidate for such nonsense.

The good news is I will be heading back to Boston to have my third treatment tomorrow.

Onward and upward, or something.

There's no place like home....

Have been back since late yesterday afternoon, and my, it is wonderful to be in my little ranch in Lesbianville. Woke up in the middle of last night disoriented to be in such a quiet, dark room, and then my dear Bombshell began snoring, and all was well.

Haven't had a chance to post, I'm happy to report, for I have been swept up in the attention of a wonderful array of women with short hair cuts and sensible shoes. Seriously, I have been blessed with a generous array of friends and church family who are watching over me something fierce.

It's a relief, for I had some "helpful" people suggest to me after Linda died that I should be careful, for caregivers often get ill once their work is done. Don't know what I was really supposed to do with that intel--not run out and try to get sick, as I had, uh, planned?--but such caveats left me wondering, "Well, if I do get sick, now that Linda's gone, who is going to take care of me?"

I needn't have worried. There's no end of dear hearts and gentle people waiting to help.

All things considered, I am one lucky gal.

In fact, offers of help are coming even farther afield. My cousin Mary offered to come out of retirement in the Carolinas (or is it Georgia?--how embarrassing, I don't even know) to tend to yours truly, which was sweet. She's a rip, and it would be a hoot to see her, but I do feel I'm covered but good with my local family.

What Mary also did, however, was offer what is without a doubt my favorite assessment of my situation. So, out of 100s of entries, the winner of the "How Would You Describe the Latest Development in Ann Podolske's Life?" contest is:

"You have had an extremely crummy year and this illness must seem like whipped cream on a shit sundae."

Hilarious! And it has the added kick for me of being a saying that was a favorite in my North Woods Wisconsin hometown many years ago. (The dairy reference being key.)

Just please, God, don't let there be any cherry on top.

Happy Valentine's Day from me and my blond shadow, A

Update from a small room in a big building

Well, I learned something today that was, well, daunting. If you are of a delicate nature, you may not want to read the next line or two. My bone marrow biopsy showed 90% cancer cells.

90%?! And I thought I had the flu?!!

Yes, we should all be grateful I am a comic and communicator, not a member of the medical profession.

But, the dear doctors are all convinced there are ways of turning this terrible trend around, and giving my bone marrow the room it needs to make all the very important things my carcass needs to keep on keepin' on. They can't cure this, however, but these medicines can send the bad guys scampering off to an undisclosed location (I do find it easy to imagine they're sharing space with Dick Cheney, I do).

So, with this news, I found myself asking a particularly wonderful doctor what this all means. I said I realize one can't say anything for certain, but I'm guessing I'm in a place where it wouldn't be wise to plan on blowing my retirement accounts in the next two years.

He smiled and agreed, bless him, but also said something to the effect that I shouldn't deny myself, either.

Sounds like marching orders to me: Have fun, Padlocked!! (Spelling courtesy of Microsoft.)

So, that's the plan. I am supposedly heading home tomorrow after my second chemo (please don't ask when; things happen on their own schedule here, and I'll only believe I'm leaving when I feel the cool Boston air on my neck as I step out of the building).

So, here's hoping my next missive comes from my dear home, with my dear Bombshell snoring contentedly at my feet. Thank you so much for the marvelous messages and support--hope to be having fun with you very, very soon.

Love from the Land o' Open Johnnies, Ann

Just when you thought things couldn't get any more interesting.....

Well, the stomach flu that I couldn't completely shake is multiple myeloma, people.



Really?! Really.



I've been told not to look at the web for information, and hope you'll do the same. For most of it offers far more dire predictions for the likes of me than likely reflect reality.



What one doctor said gives me the most hope. He said that while Linda may have had about 18 months, there is a very good chance I'll have 18 years--maybe more.



So, that's not so terrible, is it?

I didn't think so, either.

Oh, and if today's treatment doesn't work, there are many more FDA-approved treatments in the ready, and more in the research pipeline.

One last bit of optimistic business. The premier research and treatment facility for multiple myeloma? I'm sitting in it.

So, here's to success, and to me being a going concern for a great while longer.

All good from the land of open johnnies, Ann

Feeling a bit less oogly

Still, I stayed home today, as I know the best way to jinx recovery from something is to try to do too much the moment you feel better.

Good thing, for the plumbing guys found a replacement for the cracked pan and were able to come by right away and install it.

It looks as though the small lake around the furnace is receding, which is the best thing that has happened all week.

That and my feeling a little more humanoid, of course.

Who would think this combination of events would count as great news?

Understanding is a [fill-in-the-blank]

Well, at least the sort of understanding I've gained this week. I now have first-hand knowledge of what it is like to feel nausea for a number of days. Linda endured waves of nausea for weeks, perhaps months, and I know a little better how just awful her life must have been for a very long time. It is knowledge I would rather not have, mind you, for what is there to be done? I am a wuss, this I know, but to contemplate such expanses of time feeling this lousy or worse? Makes me very, very sad for my Sweetie.

Otherwise, what is there to report? Not much, I'm sorry to say. The furnace is still leaking, though the dear company was prompt with its billing for the "repair." They will be back with some other options, per the nice lady at the shop. In my experience, most tradespeople have a nice lady answering the phone on behalf of the guys in the shop. I think they do that in part because (sexism alert) women listen better, and to defuse angry customers who were gearing up to give one of the repair guys an earful. I know my father was not above having me answer the phone when he thought a mad customer was calling--who is going to yell at an 8-year-old girl? Actually, you'd be surprised.

Or would you?

Anyway, I digress. Seems what news I have is not exactly pleasant, so perhaps I should just go to bed. Again. (I've had to nap more than once today.)

Hope you are all well, and all of your major household systems are behaving themselves. These are not small things, apparently.