It has been a while since I have posted anything and quite a bit has happened. I am going to make an attempt to tell you what that is, but I may not cover it since I have chemo brain something fierce. What is chemo brain? Well, in my case it is the fact that I cant remember crap! No, really...I hate to pat myself on the back...okay, I will - But, I have always had a GREAT memory and attention to detail....not anymore! I will tell a story and completely leave out either the main point, or I will forget why I was telling the story and just stop. So weird! Bret use to get frustrated with me because of this, but he now sees that it is a real thing and I am not trying to with hold information or not tell him something...my brain just gets stuck on pause!
Where to begin....
Oh, most recent news first shall we?? Today is my 4-month birthday! My transplant took place on January 26th - can you believe it has already been 4 months? Tomorrow I am getting my medi-port taken out, I am very excited about that!! It is suppose to stay in for 6 months to a year but I found out that my health insurance is changing so I need to get it out before June 1st.
Speaking of insurance changing...that is something that I am dealing with right now and it is pretty sad. I am happy that I am still able to even get health insurance and that my COBRA transferred to the new (Kaiser) insurance...BUT this also means that I can no longer go to my regular doctor, Wilshire Oncology or UCLA and that saddens me. I have a great team of doctors, nurses, secretaries and transplant coordinators that have pulled me through the hardest time in my life and now I can no longer see them...and it has only been 4 months since they saved me. Wilshire I will especially miss...Mari, Megan, Sue and Carla have been so awesome to me and I will miss going in there with my loud self, making them laugh!
Courage....
Last blog I told you about my friend Marcy and her daughter Taylor. Well, I am extremely happy to tell you all that Taylor's most recent testing came back negative!!! No cancer! she still does have to go through about 6 months of protocol to make sure it does not relapse...but this is GREAT news! The other day she put on her facebook that she cant wait to shave her head and put glitter on her noggin - I LOVE IT!!! Who needs hair...it is totally overrated (yea, I say that now). She has a great attitude and is a very courageous little girl.
About the hair....
So, my hair is here and growing like a damn field of weeds!! It appears that I am a brunette...a very dark brunette...with a nice (NOT) mixture of grey! And if the grey wasn't enough to piss me off...it is CURLY again! Now, I really have no problem with it being curly - when it is longer - but this short weird phase where it wants to do what it wants and not cooperate with me, now that is just not gonna fly! Well, it is flying, but now because I am letting it! Oddly enough, I get a lot of compliments on my "haircut" which cracks me up! I correct people and say that it is not a haircut, it is growing in. I really do not want people thinking that I would actually DO this to my hair! HAHAHA 2 weeks ago at a restaurant a waitress walked by and said she really likes my hair, a little boy told his mom that he liked my haircut on Tuesday at my nieces graduation and a lady at Stater Bros. yesterday told me that she loves my hair and I should leave it this way. There are a lot more, and it really makes me feel good because I don't feel good about how I look at all....so the compliments are awesome! Leave my hair this short...pffffttt!!!
Here I am yesterday...thinking I am cool because I put gel in my little hairs!
More news....
Today, my youngest step-son graduates from 8th grade! Congratulations to Landon on your accomplishments, I know that you will have a blast in the next four years of high school! Keep your eye on the prize and you will soar! I love you kid!
Light the Night...
Team Joni is about 36 bucks away from raising $2000.00 for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! That is awesome!! We have set a goal of $10,000 this year and I am hoping that we can get there. Last year we made over $4300 in just 6 weeks! If anyone is interested in donating or joining Team Joni, here is the link to the team.....THANK YOU!!!!!!
http://pages.lightthenight.org/ocie/InlandEm11/Teamjoni
Okay, so now we get to the part where I have totally drawn a blank! I know I had more to say, and I also know that none of the stuff that I did say were a part of what I wanted to say...hahaha So I guess I will stop here. I think I am going to write stuff down on a pad of paper so I remember that I wanted to blog it - of course I will lose the paper and not remember, but at least I tried...hehehehehe
Take care my friends!!!
xoxo - Joni
Hi, Joni....I enjoyed your blogs. It sounds like you have been put thru the ringer and I'm glad that things are getting better. Our family has started a foundation called ShanesWay. You can find us at ShanesWay.org. We are like Make A Wish, but for young adults...18-30 years old. Do you know of any young adults who are suffering with a life threatening medical condition that we could help with a Live Life moment?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kari Cattanach
Hi Kari! I do not know anyone in that age bracket, but I will keep my eyes and ears open! That is awesome that you have started Shanes Way and I would love to help in any way I can! I am all about fundraising and helping others like myself!
ReplyDeletexoxo - Joni