How does everybody like the flowers on the new page header of the blog? They're a side effect of Ian making this blog viewable on the iPhone. Ah, how I love a man who putzs with technology ...
I promised I'd write after clinic on Tuesday, but I didn't, didn't I? I'll make it up to you by writing after clinic today: My nurse practitioner said everything is "perfect" -- she actually used the word "perfect." Of course I don't feel perfect, but that's actually normal. Also normal is the funky body odor I've been emitting ... Pungent and disgusting ... It's the kind of smell you scrub off in the shower only to emerge, sniff and, ugh, there it is again, though faintly. Fortunately, no one else can smell it (so they say), but it drives me bananas. I was very relieved to find out it's temporary -- due to the drugs, mostly. I feared I was taking on the scent of my donor or something else equally creepy.
(Oh, but I did promise to bare all ... )
I also found out that the hot flashes I've been experiencing (perfectly fine one moment, then, whoa! Take off the wig!) are probably menopause. Hey, why not? Bring it on. The nurse practitioner suggested some herbal remedies, such as Evening Primrose Oil (now that sounds elegant, in an aging-gracefully-sort-of-way) and Black Cohosh(?). So, all you sage women who have walked this path before me, what's worked for you? (Thanks to my friend, Charlene, I have found a solution to my cover-my-picc-in-the-shower problem -- the Dry Pro waterproof PICC cover -- so I feel it's worth asking!)
Fortunately, Zach is recovering from his cold -- and has even learned to cough into his arm (unfortunately, now Daddy is sick and so we can add "sleeping alone" to my list of maladies). He is darling as ever and very curious about what's going on with me. He seems unworried, though, which is heartening and he often plays out medical situations with his toys. The other day, I got to be the patient (imagine!) and he was Dr. Solomon (his Pediatrician). He had me lie down on the couch and told people when it was OK to visit me and used his little stethoscope to listen to my heart. "You are getting a little bit better," he said.
Good news! The nurse practitioner has said it's OK for me to go to an outside park with friends and children, as long as I stay in the shade and don't hug people under 12, so I think we will be planning some of these outings in the near future. I look forward to seeing many of you soon ...
Much love,
Katie
Comments (8)
Katie,
Are you home home??? I thought you were at Ian's parents. If you're really home, that's terrific! Grandma loves the pictures of Zach. She's doing o.k., but forgets a lot. Just some explanation of the package I sent for Zach. I HATE wrapping anything, so those gifts have been sitting on my futon for almost a year. The truck and the paddle game are from Thailand when I visited Kim last Aug. (Both she and Kent send you their best.) Sorry for being such a slug. Cant' wait to see your pic of the blond wig with clips!
Posted by Aunt Kathy | July 11, 2008 3:22 PM
Posted on July 11, 2008 15:22
Dear Katie,
Am so ecstatic that you are doing so well, I've been waiting for a Clinic Update. Sorry about the odor. Yes, it is the drugs and no one else really notices it. I come home from work and smell the drugs all the time( sometimes even worse smells as we talked about with the diarrhea episode) In fact, I take my uniform off and put it immediately into the washer because I can't stand the smell. But no one else really smells it.
Menopause? So early? I guess anything is possible. I took care of it totally with surgery but I don't imagine that you want to go that route. I had Endometriosis really bad and had everything removed when I was about 33. So I've been fortunate that I have never had hot flashes. But I have had a lot of friends who have had them and each individual has to find her own rememdy that works for her. That was a lot of help, right?!!
So gald that Zach ahs recovered formhis cold, but sorry Ian now had one. This has got to be really irritating at times for all of you and especially you becasue it always affects you. I am so sorry that you must go trough this but you really are handling it well to say the least.
I bet you can hardly wait to go on an outing-how terrific. Where are you going to go?
It's HOT here. We cut the grass today and it is 4pm and we are already in the house and had our showers becasue we are so tired from the heat. I am working on the computer and plan to print some pictures up for you and send them with the book.
I also have to print some stuff up for Grandma, will work on that htis weekend and hopefully send it off on Monday.
Don and I plan to go to the Casino in Tulsa next week. It's really nice and we stay a couple of hours and eat and then come home. It is great to get away for a day.
Hooray for Charlene and finding the PICC cover-I never thought to look on the computer. You think that they would have these on the hospital with all the PICCs we have and people taking showers. But it is good to know for hte future for me.
Well, talk with you later.
Much love,
Mom
Posted by Mom | July 11, 2008 3:23 PM
Posted on July 11, 2008 15:23
Hey, it is great to hear that you are doing well! The smell is horrible I know, but they are right it is temporary. I have been using young living essential oils for years and I would cover myself with them and it would work for a small amount of time and then the smell would be back. The menopause thing... Since it is not happening naturally it is a little harder to deal with. I went through the samething after transplant. For the hot flashes I used young living peppermint oil. It really helps to cool you down. I put it on my feet, neck, arms anywhere I felt the need. I ended up having to go on hormones because I couldn't control all the side effects naturally. Give it time and see what happens everyone is different and because of the transplant people like us are VERY different! I am so glad to hear that you are going to be able to get out for little outings!! I remember my first time out and it was great! Keep up the good work, your attitude is wonderful, I am so proud of you!!!
Talk to you soon...
Posted by Brandy | July 11, 2008 3:59 PM
Posted on July 11, 2008 15:59
Hi Katie:
I just LOVE to read your updates. Some day, may be a book??? I went to visit you on Sat. thinking I have the long wkend and could spend extra time catching up. First, I had to go thru a list of names with Katie (but they were 7-9 yr olds, not you!), then they said you went by Kathrine & you had checked out. Bummer! Tho happier that you got to go home...
I can't remember odors, but now that you mention it - with my OCD, I took baths, pins and all! Angered my docs no end, oh well. As for hot flashes, all I can say I welcomed them bec I'm always so cold, I bundle up when it's 70 outside. You'll figure it all out. Meantime, sending you loads and loads of +ve wishes, tight hugs and kisses all over the bald head. I have pics of me absolutely bald head,with Bam & she looked all proud & happy as if she was promoting the new fashion look!!!
Posted by Evelyn | July 11, 2008 7:05 PM
Posted on July 11, 2008 19:05
Katie--
No time for writing at length, but I want to put in a positive word for black cohosh. It fell into the "something is better than nothing" category for quite a while. Then it seemed to kick in and lower the temperature. Just remember--Real women don't have hot flashes; they have power surges!
Love, Eva
Posted by Eva | July 11, 2008 7:51 PM
Posted on July 11, 2008 19:51
Hey, Katie!
Hooray for nurse practitioners saying "perfect," PICC covers and Zach getting over his cold. If "perfect" throws you off, you can always go for the French "parfait." It can only help to think of yourself as a delightful and refreshing dessert! (perhaps topped with a pink wig for the cherry!)
Huh, a bit of WTF about the possible menopause! Must you always be so precocious? ;) My usual place for finding personal experiences from real, intelligent women is Salon's Table Talk. The perimenopause thread:
http://tabletalk.salon.com/webx?14@@.773a7f73
I'm probably going to join soon so I can post and connect to other expats. I really hope the site is still around when I have kids!
That's great news about being able to go outside! And very sweet about Zach playing doctor. I like the purty flowers, too. Go, Ian!
I miss you, and am thinking of you.
much love,
Charlene
Posted by Charlene | July 12, 2008 8:25 AM
Posted on July 12, 2008 08:25
Dear Katie,
It's hot again today and Don and I went to town. I had to get groceries and he had to get paint. He was going to work on the guest house today but is feeling lazy like me. I bought a lot of stuff, lots of meat in bulk. So I had to separate it and then freeze it. I also got some produce. so I spent an hour or more putting all this away. then a neighbor dropped by with some zuchini, tomatoes, and 2 bottles of homemade wine, strawberry and grape. PARTEA time tonight!!! Don does not like tomatoes-so they are all mine and sois the wine. YIPEE!!!
I almost finished printing up uour BLOG for Grandma. it is really long, maybe you should condider a book? I know she will enjoy reading it at her leisure.
Well, wnat to finish it and getitin the mail. Talk with you soon.
Love,
Mom
Posted by Mom | July 12, 2008 11:31 AM
Posted on July 12, 2008 11:31
Loved the "power surge" quote from Eva. Hooray, for the park and all the hoopla that goes with it. Loved the poem and the latest blog was so encouraging. I have never had a hot flash so I have no comments to add. I personally think that exercise is my solutions to all problems. Everyone has a different "go to."
Posted by Jamie Zarling | July 14, 2008 9:40 AM
Posted on July 14, 2008 09:40