MOVING DAY!
The last week of October I moved into my new place with the help of some very special people. My cousin Oliver and his nephews came through after a snafu with PODS and the necessity to have the unit emptied and picked up by Saturday spoiling the plan that my cousin Zannie and his brother-in-law Corey were to unload and help with the move-in. So the crew of 3, unloaded the POD into the house on Wednesday. Zannie & Corey came out the next day and put up my beds, put up bookshelves and shelving units and a few random things that need to be done. And then the big gun came to play, my lil sis Victoria stepped up and came out on Friday and together she & I unloaded 99% of the boxes in this house. She was on a mission to get it all done, which she did and and was able to go home on Sunday to relax after some major work put in, there is no way I could've done any of it without her! My homie Tashalon came by to pitch in but I was pooped so we just hung out, passed out candy, and laughed about old times and caught up on all the new stuff. She was good for my soul! Just another reason I moved to TX, to be close to those types of folks to help me recenter and reconnect with my friends and family. It was so nice to have help that I didn't have to beg to come out, they just showed up! I love family!
NEW HAIR!
So the 1st week of November I went to the Cancer Center to the Women's Boutique for an appointment to get a wig! I hurried to my appointment, but was disappointed to find out that she was unable to get my wig approved. BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! The light bulb went off over her head, and she said, "I know where I can get you a free wig!!" We walked down the hall to another office and there they were, a few boxes of wigs. I asked for a short curly wig and the 1st one that they pulled out....well just picture Mama from Mama's Family! Um, Hell to da naw naw naw!!!! LOL, then they pulled a little number that reminded me of how I used to wear my hair back in the late 90's, not quite as bad as you think but you be the judge, I'm going to post a link (if I can remember how!). Hey, for free, I couldn't ask for more than that! She informed me that the cosmetologist could customize the wig for me, so I asked her if the cosmetologist could buzz my head, my hair was starting to shed more and I like having the control that I cut my hair and not freaking out every morning in the shower or whatever. So after waiting a few mins, I sat in the chair to get my head shaved!
In the words of a friend, good thing I have a pretty face and small ears!!! LOL
So after buzzing my hair, she put the wig on my head and trimmed the bangs and styled accordingly.
After nice banter and comments on my smooth skin for a 43 year old, of course I told her BLACK DON'T CRACK!!!! She said, Your Right! Then, she turned around and said, WAIT, who's wig is this? Well, it was the free wig that Madeline had gotten for me, the wig you see here was not that one! After realizing it was a sample that she had just been sent, she said that God must've wanted me to have 2 wigs! Won't He do it!!!! Can you tell the difference, ok there is a little difference but not much!
So I have been wearing the second wig as my everyday wig. I'll skip ahead since I'm on the hair subject. Last week I went to a beauty supply and found a short curly wig, its a little closer to me than the others but I'm still on the hunt for that short curly Whitney wig from Bodyguard! Inbox me for my address if you want to send it to me! LOL
2ND CHEMO
So, the next week, Mom & I headed to TX Oncology for my 2nd Chemo. On my visit with the Dr. she informed me that I was taking the same chemo meds that I took the first time. My records from City of Hope stated something different than what my VA Cancer Institute, so I am taking the same chemo. Not to worry because it worked the first time right....its working again! The tumor has shrunk by 50%!!!!! Woohoo! Wait, not so fast, what is this? Why are your glucose levels so high? You need your PCP to check this out, oh, you don't have one, I can recommend someone. The rest of the day went as a typical chemo day goes, with a stop at some store. It wouldn't be chemo day without a stop somewhere before going home! Friday shot of Neulasta and lots of resting around my house. Mama & Stepdad took good care of me! Back to work on Monday, I was a little sick but it was my fault for not taking my anti-nausea meds like I was supposed to Sunday evening and Monday morning. Once I realized what I had done, took my dose, I felt better by the next morning. I'm doing well and working.
A TERRIBLE AWFUL BAD DAY!!!
So today is the day I meet my new Internist, Dr. Gary Goff. I left work on time (in my mind my appt was at 10am) at 9:59 I was circling Presbyterian Hospital for the 3rd time looking for Professional Bldg. 4, I finally found it ACROSS THE STREET with no arrows or signs. Finally found parking in the garage found the way into the building and found the elevator. Once I found the office, I went in and they of course asked for my ID and insurance card which is lost and I'm still waiting for them to send a new one. Oh, I got my new dental card yesterday!
ANYWAY!!!! I call my oncologist office and they said they would send the card but they didn't, I am filling out the forms and she ask again, I have my group # and ID # but that's no good because it's BCBS of TX.......UGH!!!! The nurse comes to get me but the front desk receptionist said wait because they didn't want me to have to pay out of pocket for the visit. I the radiology office in Richmond that initially diagnosed me and they faxed over a copy. The nurse took me back and in a room and before she could take my blood pressure, the receptionist came and said it was a copy of my vision card! They asked if I could go online to get a temporary card. So here I am in the exam room trying to log on to Anthem.com from my phone, let's just say that by the time the Dr. came in I was in tears with frustration. He told me to put the phone down and they would work it out. Whew, Luckly after I called the radiology office I called my old PCP's(Primary Care Physician) office and I finally got a copy of this card. But they sent 2 my really old card and my most recent, I straightened all that out and she gave me a copy to take with me until I get my new cards! SHEESH!
Now back to the Dr. visit, long story short, they think my glucose levels are too high but are not sure if it is my weight, the steroids or the chemo but I will have blood work done tomorrow but in the meantime I now have a OneTouch Glucose meter and some new meds to take to try to control my levels until we can fully determine which it is and take control of it. Also, I need to lose weight, a lot of if which will be hard with the steoroids but it needs to happen (NO SHIT SHERLOCK)!!!! And after this is all over we need to look at these knees, there is something going on there too! So much great news! NOT!!!! Oh, but he did tell me about 2 Presbyterian Churches for me to visit and thanked and said God Bless! I know I didn't want to hear it but I know it needs to be done so here we go!
Ok, that last was just a vent but hey, it's my blog so I can write what I want to! LOL
Again I thank you for all your support. I can not tell you how much I appreciate the calls, texts, cards prayers and well wishes. If you reach out to me I will give you my new address but I don't want to put it on the blog because it is public.
My next chemo is next week so I will follow up after next week.
SMOOCHES YA'LL!
