When it rains, it pours...or bad news comes in threes

Wow...what a week.  I had to crawl out a hole on Wednesday morning, and it's gonna be an uphill climb for the next 4 years.  They say that bad news comes in threes, and I hope this week's events are it for that.

1.  The Election.  Enough said.  (I have plenty to say, but will refrain, as I love my peeps).  

2.  I had to go to the ER on Sunday.  Caught a bad cold over the weekend, and Sunday morning, it was so horrible, I called the on-call oncologist, who said "Go to ER, get blood analysis".  So that's what we did.  

They took samples of everything they could, and gave me antibiotics.  I essentially have no immune system, so any infection can turn into pneumonia, etc.  I feel slightly better, but this is a cold on steroids, for sure.  

3. Joe's left eye was wonky last Thursday, and progressively getting worse.  It turns out he has a a detached retina.  He will  have surgery tomorrow.  We are now "dos invalids", as we are calling ourselves.  The sick caring for the sick.  

I will be in a better mood once all of this is over.  I may have to wait 4 years...  💩

Encouraging News from the Cubs camp

I just can't let the Cubs victory go, so I was googling (stalking) some of my favorite players.  Found this out about Anthony Rizzo, Cubs first baseman who made the winning out of game 7 against the Cleveland Indians (who were, by the way, a formidable and worthy opponent):

"Rizzo was diagnosed with limited state classical Hodgkin's lymphoma in April 2008. Rizzo went through chemotherapy for six months.His grandmother was battling breast cancer at the same time. On September 2, 2008, Rizzo's doctor told him he was in remission. He still had six weeks left of treatment and had some follow-up testing. On November 18, Rizzo's doctor told him he "could live a normal life." In 2012, The Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation began. It is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, benefiting cancer research and the families fighting the disease. The foundation is run entirely by Rizzo's family, his close friends and his management team. Rizzo provides oversight and leadership."

Hey!!  He played a huge part in the World Series 2016 victories for the CUBS.  See, there are other stories of success and remission and normal life.  I just need to search those out!  

By Arturo Pardavila III from Hoboken, NJ, USA - Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo celebrates the final out of the 2016 World Series., CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52817872

Chemo Infusion No. 3 - Half Way through

After last night, I'm actually glad to be sitting here in the comfy chemo chair!  Cubs pulled out an amazing World Series; I'm so tired after such a crazy, spectacular night!!  

Waiting for the infusion to begin!

So, I'm here for my 3rd treatment.  My white blood cell count was even lower than last time.  The low value on the normal scale is 39 x 10³ cells/microliter.  Last infusion it was 37.  Today's value is 24!!  But, my oncologist wants to continue, so as not to prolong my treatment.  I will now also receive Neulasta!!!  Another drug - yay.  It will boost the growth of new white blood cells.  This one I receive tomorrow (auto-injector) in my abdomen, or on Saturday via a shot.  It depends on which way my insurance goes.  Apparently, it will cause me bone pain.  From the website:  "The most common side effect of Neulasta® is pain in the bones and in your arms and legs."  

I watched a video to show me how to deal with my on-body injector:  

Happy Dia de los Muertos!! Happy All Souls Day!! Happy All Saints Day!! (one day late) Happy Halloween!! (two days late)

It's nice to blog about kids and how adorable they are!  Here are my wonderful, smart and great grandnieces and my grandnephew!!!

Chemo treatment 3 tomorrow and Friday!  (maybe...not if WBC is too low).  Bring it on - half way done.  

And the CUBS!!!  

Go Cubs Go!  Go Cubs Go!  Hey Chicago what do you say, the Cubs are gonna win today!