Saturday January 30

Was up early as always.  Put on a fluid around 5am just to get it going.  

Friday....Colin went home to visit with his mom.   My mom and dad came to Pittsburgh to stay with me.  We hung out Friday and ran some errands, watched a movie and went to Longhorn for dinner.

Saturday morning we end to IHOP for breakfast.   We came back home and I put on another fluid.  After I was done with the fluids we decided to get out and do something.   We went to the strip district.   We walked around and went in to a couple of stores.  There's a really cool store with iron works and signs etc.   dad bought a couple of things there for in his garage.  It was a fun little excursion and was cool for them to experience plus it is free which is always a bonus.

After the strip district we went to the Dusquense incline.  We took it to the top (mom wasn't too fond of it!) and went to the lookout.   We walked up the street and went to a different lookout to see another view.   It's gorgeous up there!!  It was pretty cool to be able to show them.  

 Just some of the pictures from the day.  I look terrible but that's ok.... I wasn't feeling so hot.

After the excursions we did a little shopping.   We came home and dinner was ready because I put it in the crock pot before we left.  Mom and dad ate dinner and then we chilled out and watched tv.   

Around 7, I started to get my stuff together for bed and my tpn.  Mom is working on a quilt.  Her and dad were spending their time on that while I finished all the bracelets.  It was a good day all in all.

On another note....I tried the antibiotic at night.  It didn't really make a difference.  I was really hoping it would.   We will see how I feel today and if I'm in a fog or if it helped with that part of it at least.

I will check back later and let you know.   Have a good day!!!!

Friday January 29

Was up early.  Took off my tpn, showered and changed my osteomy.  

I changed all the bed clothes and washed them.  I got together my transplant bag so when I get the call I can just grab it and go.  I organized my osteomy supplies because I should be getting a reorder this week and I'll need the room.  

I put on a fluid and watched tv for a little bit.  Then I got up and made peach cobbler.  Not sure why but I had the ingredients and I was bored.  After lunch time I had to run a couple of errands.  I needed to get Manila envelopes to send the bracelets to the people that are helping me sell them.  The other day I went over to copy max across the street and they wanted 7.99 for 4!!!  I got 8 for $1 at dollar tree.  Ridiculous!! After Dollar Tree I stopped at Michaels and got the last couple of colors for the bracelets.  Then I stopped at the store for some ginger ale and orange juice.  

I got home and finished making the bracelets.  I have all 200 done!!!  I'm working on the finishing touches and attaching them to cards explaining what they are for, how much, etc.  

We went over to Longhorne Steakhouse for dinner.  I didn't have anything prepared to cook.  After dinner we came home.  I worked on the bracelets some more and then I got together my tpn stuff and got ready for bed.  I fell asleep fairly early and slept ok for the most part.  

I talked to Colin and we were trying to figure out a way to keep me from feeling so crappy during the day while I'm taking the antibiotics.  I think I'm going to try and take them in the evening when I'm putting on my tpn.  If it puts me in a fog....hopefully it will be a sleepy fog and maybe it will actually help me sleep and I'll be more alert and clear-headed during the day.  I'm going to skip doing them today and see if this plan works.  Fingers crossed for tonight.   Have a good day!  I'll update later!

Thursday January 28

Was up early.  Put on a fluid and my antibiotics first thing.  When they were done I got showered and dressed.  

I went through my clothes and organized them.  I put together my hospital bag for when I get the call.  That way I have everything ready and won't have to scramble.  After that I cleaned the whole house.  I dusted, vacuumed, mopped floors, scrubbed the bathroom, etc.

Then I ran over to return the Redbox movies.  I came back home and put on another fluid.  I relaxed on the couch and watched the movie Win Win.  It was a free movie on demand.  It wasn't too bad.  While I was watching it I made more bracelets.  

I enlisted some awesome friends to help me sell some bracelets!!   Thank you to everyone who is going to help!!!  I will get them to you as soon as possible.  

How was I feeling.....my day was ok.  I was nauseous all day and in my fog.  I was feeling pretty weak but it wasn't as bad as yesterday so maybe my body is adjusting a little.  We will see how today goes.  Have a good one!  I will check in later. 

Wednesday January 27

Was up at 3 this morning.  Had a pretty rough night.  

I got out of bed and went to the living room to lay down.  I watched tv and dozed on and off.  Around 7 I got up and took off my tpn.  I showered and got dressed.  I worked on my bracelets for about two hours.  

I needed a break so I ran to the store to get water because I forgot it yesterday.  Then I stopped at the redbox and got two movies.  I went home and watched Chi-Raq.  Stupid movie.  It really wasn't even worth the $2.  I ran my fluids while I was watching it.  I also did a couple loads of laundry.  And I continued making the bracelets.  I have over 100 done now.  

When the movie was over Colin got his dinner and we watched Burnt with Bradley Cooper.  It was actually a pretty good movie.  I would recommend it.  We just got done watching it.  It's close to 7.  I haven't been feeling the best this evening.  I'm back in my fog again.  I feel shaky and unstable.  I'm going to get ready for bed and hopefully get some sleep.  We will see.  

I hope you have a good night.  Until tomorrow.  

Tuesday January 26

I had my clinic appointment today.  We got there at 6am.  They did my blood work and gave me fluids.   The doctors made their rounds really early.  I told him how I've been feeling and what's going on.  He said that it's because we changed the steroids again.  On top of feeling crappy from that, I have thrush back really bad on my tongue and down my throat (from the steroids of course!).   They put me back on antibiotics for 10 days.  Now I'm going to have all the side effects from them.

We got home from clinic around 10:30.  We ran over and grabbed the mail because I hadn't gotten it since Thursday.  There was a note in the mail that I had a package so we went to the leasing office to pick it up.  My friend Sam Seifreid sent me a package with caffeine free herbal teas!!! How awesome is she?  She is always thinking about me and knows how to put a smile on my face.  It was such a nice surprise!  Thank you Sam!!!   Love you!!!

On another note....My osteomy bag's wax was starting to flake off so I changed it to be safe and so it didn't break on me.   I watched tv with Colin while it was sealing.  After it was done I ran to the store and grabbed water.  I didn't realize we were out yesterday when I went.  I got home and straightened up the kitchen.  Then I put on another fluid.

While my fluid was going I watched a movie on vh1.  The movie and fluids were done around the same time. When they were done it was time for me to leave for therapy.  My therapy session went well.  I am trying some new things with her help that will essentially (hopefully) help me shut off my brain at night so I can sleep.  As you can see by the time I am posting this, I am wide awake and it hasn't worked for me this evening but she said it takes practice.  

After therapy I came home.  Shawn called and I was on the phone with him for a little while.  I put on my tpn and drank some pina colada tea (thanks Sam!!) After I was ready for bed, I face timed Amber and the boys.  We talked for about a half hour and then I went to bed.  Hopefully tonight isn't too sleepless.  Sweet dreams everyone!

Monday January 25

Was up early again today.  About 4.  I stayed in bed until about 7:30.  I got up, took off my tpn, showered and got dressed.  I put on a fluid and chilled out for a couple hours while it was running.  I painted my nails while they were finishing.

After it was done I ran over to Michael's to get the rest of the stuff for the bracelets.  I also ran to TJ Max to get a chefs knife.  When I got home I cleaned out the fridge and took out the trash.  Then I started working on making more bracelets.  I made about 40.  That's what I spent the afternoon doing. 

Around 5 I got Colin dinner.  Around 6 I got my tpn ready and put it on since we have to be at clinic early tomorrow.  I had my sleepy time tea and now I'm cuddled in my heated blanket in bed.  

I'm feeling a little better today.  I'm going to talk to the doctors tomorrow about how I was feeling and see what they have to say.  I will keep you posted!!  Sweet dreams!

Sunday January 24

I slept a little better last night.  I woke up around 6:30 this morning.  I got up and took off my tpn, showered, got dressed and put on a fluid.  

I went to Michaels around 11 to look for stuff to make bracelets.  I grabbed a couple of different options and went home and messed around making different bracelets.  I think I've figured out how I'm going to do them and hopefully can enlist some of my friends and family to send them to to sell for me :).   I'm going to sell them for $5 a piece.  I made about 30 today so far. My plan is to make 200.  They are simple little anchor bracelets.  

I'm still not feeling well today but I am feeling a little bit better than yesterday.  I am still really nauseous and I'm weak in the knees.  My head is still in a fog.  I'm really trying to relax and take it easy.  I will call tomorrow and talk to Mary if things aren't better.  

Now we are watching the football game.  I'm going to clean up the dinner mess and put on my pjs in case I decide to doze off for a little.  

I hope you have a good night!  Sweet dreams!