Another exciting day.

There isn't too much going on with me right now, so I really don't have any good updates. My blood counts are pretty much back to cancer-normal, my appetite's back, I am decently warm, etc. My very good friend from Canada actually came and visited me these past two days, which was awesome. I did more on Thursday and Friday than I have in a long time. We spent pretty much all day yesterday in downtown Chicago, braving the snow and the wind and checking out the Bean. It was a ton of fun. And it just goes to show that in reality, cancer's got nothing on me. So woo.

Otherwise, I am resting and eating as much as I can today and tomorrow. For on Monday, I am being readmitted to the hospital. Thankfully, it will only be for three or four days this time. This next six-week session of chemo involves me going to the hospital every two weeks. To my knowledge, they're having me inpatient because every two weeks they're going to give me a large dose of chemotherapy in my spinal column, a spinal tap, and they need to monitor me and give me various pills throughout my time there. I'll have better and more information once I'm actually admitted to the hospital. I wonder if they'll give me the same room? Probably not, but you never know. So that's what's up here. Still holding out hope that spring will come, although Mother Nature seems bent on postponing it. Oh well. I don't think too many people read this on the weekends, but for those who do, enjoy the rest of it! I know I will, with lots of food and laziness. Mmmm. Hokay, Pax.

First day of meteorological spring!

And despite that fact, it's raining and snowing and cold here in the Chi-town. Now, I'm not grumpy by nature. But there are some times (namely now) when it gets difficult to even want to move. Or maybe I'm just using the weather as my excuse for being a lump. These past few days I started a new book (Camus' The Plague), I watched some bad television, I took a few accidental two-hour naps, you know, I lumped. I guess it's not that bad though. I consider it resting up for the onslaught of chemo that is scheduled to start this coming week. Woo. In other news, I noted a few days ago that I had lost my appetite and wasn't really eating. I actually lost about 5 pounds in that period, although I think a lot of it was water weight. Anyway, so my appetite is completely back. In fact, I am pretty sure my body is trying to make up for lost time and is therefore eating everything it can, all the time. Now, for instance, I just ate a ton of goat cheese spread on various carbohydrate items. It was delicious. But so the moral of this story is: 1 - that my body enjoys messing with my head, and 2 - no chemo is going to stop Me from eating. Everything and all the time.

That's about it from me for now. Thank God it's Thursday because that means tomorrow is Friday and lots of fun will be had. To all my friends at school, enjoy your last weekend before spring break. The year's counting down for you guys. Rock on. And to everyone else not at BU, rock on anyway. Peace out.

There's nothing better than having a hole drilled into your bone.

Another joyous day in clinic. Another bone marrow biopsy and aspirate. I'm not sure if I've ever explained this, but a biopsy is when they remove bone fluid and an aspirate is when they extract bone core. Strangely, it's more painful when they suck out the fluid. Good times. Good times with needles. But no really, it's not that bad. Mostly it's just uncomfortable; the doctor numbs the skin and the outside of the bone to a healthy unfeeling. And... I learned something interesting today. Apparently people who have lymphoma (another blood-related cancer) have to have biopsies done on both sides of their hips. They get one side drilled and done, and then the doctor goes to the other side and does it all again. Just the thought of having to go through that is horrendous. And the doctor told me that in the past, when medical procedures were more risky and technology wasn't nearly as good, in order to get enough and accurate samples, they had to do four biopsies at the same time. FOUR. That's four holes drilled into bone. And you just know it probably hurt a lot more than it does now. Ehhh. I'm shuddering just thinking about it. But that brings us to the uplifting part: Technology and advancements in medicine are Freaking Awesome. 25, 30 years ago I probably wouldn't have survived this. And now, well, it's not even an issue. So hoorah for pain medicine. And better microscopes and stuff. Mostly for pain medicine.

And that's about it. I met the guy who plays around with my blood, looking at the cells and various -cytes and -blasts. His name is Howie. He seemed like a pretty smart man. He told me it's nice to meet me and that "we're doing everything we can to get you better and get you back to school." I like how this man thinks. Here's the thing though, and this is all strictly preliminary and hypothetical, but there is a chance I might not start classes in the fall. As of now, my last biopsy is September 10, and I don't know how I'll feel at that point. But I'm going to do everything I can to hold this man to his word and get me back to school. I'm sure it will all work out; I just need to be aware of all possible situations. I'm also trying not to think about that because it's a long time away. Otherwise, I'm in a great mood. My appetite's back, and friends are coming to visit!! So good things to look forward to. Alright, enjoy tomorrow's hump. day. Peace.

Computers are more trouble than they're worth.

All I wanted to do was sit on my comfy green couch in the living room and watch a DVD. I had my nectarine all ready to go next to me, and I had finally found a comfortable position to sit in. So, I put the disc into the player. Windows Media pops up, I hear the happy whirring noise that means the disk is spinning, and then all of a sudden, Stop! Pop up! "Your media player does not have the appropriate plug-in for dvd playback." My options? "Close" or "online help." So, I clicked online help. And wouldn't you know, all of the plug-ins for dvd playback cost money. I probably spent a good twenty minutes poking around online for a free download of a player that would play my dvd. And I couldn't find one. I don't like giving up on things, but this is ridiculous. I found free 14-day trials, but those files were massive and would have taken forever to download. So no dvd on the computer for me today. Sigh.

In other news, I've been doing a lot of internet research for cancer groups, specifically those targeting young-adults. I have found a few really good resources so far. I have decided that I really want to find a way to get more involved in this, specifically regarding activism. I'm not quite sure where to start... Perhaps e-mail these groups, tell them my situation, and that I'm interested in doing cancer stuff? I'm going downtown tomorrow, to the support group, and I think I'm going to raise the question there, see if anyone has any suggestions. I'm sure there are lots of opportunities for volunteering around Chicago, and there probably are at least some in Boston. It's just reassuring to know that there are lots of people out there who are going through a similar situation to mine. And when I get through this, I'd love to be able to be there for teens or young adults just starting their battle. Also, I'd love, once I've got my strength back, to become active in the bike/run/walk events that are held everywhere in support of cancer research. So, if anyone wants to join a team or something (I have no idea how it works) let me know! haha, alright, that's about it for now. Take care in these ridiculous winter storms. We're currently getting dumped on again. Pax.