February 15, 2006
Ouchie
Of all the days I needed them, it sure was sweet to come home to not one, but two dozen of these:
Thank you, baby. You are beyond sweetness.
*sigh*
Up at the crack of ass, I got to the clinic to swap out my double CVC for an even bigger, better triple line. The BMW of lines. I'd take pictures, but I can't raise my left arm now. The surgeon had a hard time getting the line in (they use some guide wire thing), so it took about twice as long. I got five shots of lidocaine and new stitches. It just was not pleasant. Especially at 7am.
Note to self: if they ask you if you want drugs, say yes. Fervently say yes. And then say yes again. Like the dorkfus that I am, I said no. Not a good thing, Martha Stewart.
I also got the shot that will help with the pre-menopausal symptoms. I don't think they could make a bigger needle for that drug. And they shot me in the upper arm muscle. Um. OUCH. So I feel like I have a broken collar bone and my arm feels like someone punched me. I better not get any hot flashes goshdarnit.
I then got my zillionth chest x-ray to make sure the line was placed correctly. Thank goodness for small favors, I was good to go.
I then ate a small lunch and met with *cue forboding music* the radiation team.
I don't know why, but I was expecting them to have horns. I've been dreading this stuff for months. But the nurse was nice and the radiation doc, a resident, was super cool. I think she got the debu_vibe that I was scared shitless, so she gave me a little pep talk. She said that she went to a lecture where the doctor said that radiation was the best medicine they had. And that I had already been through some rough chemo stuff with flying colors, so my radiation should go well also.
It still didn't alieviate the long list of bad side effects, but it helped. Radiation is still a pretty bad mammajamma, but for some reason the pep talked helped somewhat. As did the flowers.
My brother should now be named Stem Cell Stud. He went in today to see if he had to do more donating. But his lab levels were good. And they collected four MILLION cells from him. The woman next to him did the same thing, but they only collected like 100 thousand cells from her in the same period of time. Bro. FOUR MILLION. That's a whole lotta cells. He kicks butt. He's my co-chair of kicking cancer ass.
He left to go back to Austin tonight to be with his family. I hope he gets to sleep in tomorrow. He totally deserves it.
As per his request, I sent him home with a lemon merengue pie.
I can do this. I have flowers and my brother has pie.
Your assignment today is to buy some flowers. They don't have to be expensive. And you can either keep them for yourself or give them to someone else. My flowers make my whole room smell lovely. And I put them on the little table next to the bed so that I can see them first thing in the morning. I took some pictures because I can't even have fake flowers where I'm going. But I'm going to enjoy them every second until I am admitted Sunday. Flowers are nice. So just go for it.
Posted by debutaunt at February 15, 2006 09:17 PMwell hello there.. the SWLF's mentioned your blog so I thought I would stop by and say hello. It's god to hear you still have a sense of humor while dealing with all this stuff..
I can't imagine the marrow biopsy thing.. I had a cortizone shot in my hip joint and nearly put my fist through drywall.. I understan the cryin though.. you do it uncontrollably.. not anything like what you are going though, but your description of that event hit home as I remembered the needle jammed in the joint then moved around like I was an old atari joystick..
I will keep good thoughts headed your way and will stop back by..
peace,
biscuit
I'm going to be a good girl and do my assignment this weekend. I'll post a pic on my blog for you ...
Posted by: ZuphChic at February 16, 2006 12:47 AMI cruised over from Shoshie and Kami (Six) -
Just wishing you some blog love during this tough time :)
Mucho kisses and hugs :)
Bradley
The Egel Nest
By the way...you inspired me...My wife is out of town..but I promise to have flowers for her when she gets home :)
Bradley
The Egel Nest
fresh flowers make all sorts of stuff better...glad your prep went well, good luck this weekend!
Posted by: Lee at February 16, 2006 04:56 AMI came via Kami's site.
Your brother rocks.
Here's hoping you kick cancer's ass.
Best,
Maria
I found you from Kami and your daughter's name, Zoe really caught my eye. My grandmother was Zola and we called her Zozo. A beautiful name Zoe, for a beautiful girl.
Sending good vibes through via the cyber gods.
WOW all those roses somebody besides all of
us thinks you are REALLY special.
Now did I not tell you all the "cool kids" have
the triple line. It is the 700 series of the
BMW's the ones that go for about 90 thousand.
My bonus for reading this AM was the new word
I have learned "mammajamma". I don't think I have
ever head that word. That's my assignment-use
that word today.
You know as Shoshie's hubby said, you could
be on SNL. Nobody should be this funny over
something like this-you are one hell of a woman.
Must be because you are a Texan.
Off to the doughnut factory aka work. Ice
that chest "missie". Sniff, sniff, sniff
the flower all day long.
Catch you later.
Nikki
Best of luck to you and your brother Deb. You have alot of people in bloggyland thinking about you, praying for you and pulling for you. My FIL passed away in December, sadly he was not a candidate for stem call. I wish you a speedy,not-so-painful journey. And oh yeah, don't forget to ask for the drugs.
Posted by: Patti_Cake at February 16, 2006 07:23 AMBeautiful, beautiful flowers! Sorry I've been "missing" this past week or so - too many tests, not enough time. I've missed you terribly - I'll call this afternoon.
Posted by: Christine at February 16, 2006 07:29 AMDeb, your post made me smile... and those flowers? GORGEOUS!
I'm so glad the "peptalk" helped. If you see her again, ask her if she can just sort of come along with you wherever you go. :)
"Mammajamma" is an awesome word! Like Nikki, I'm going to see if I can fit it into my vocabulary somewhere. :)
Sending good thoughts your way, sweetie.
Posted by: CircusKelli at February 16, 2006 08:11 AMYay, Deb! The flowers are Beautiful!
One year for Valentines Day, my husband bought an orchid for me. It was lovely, but he was crestfallen. He said he'd been to every flower shop in town looking for my favorite flowers. No one had them! He was shocked that no one had a vase of pansies. I looked at him and said, "honey...my favorites are PEONIES!!!".
I can just imagine the looks on the faces of the florists when he asked for a vase of pansies. Hahaha!
Wow 24 roses. I have never in my life had 24 roses at one time. You deserve 24 million roses.
What's up with all of us always wanting food?
Your brother wanted pie. I always want CAKE or
Pizza. I could live on pizza and cake.
I hope you watched that little David video. We
laughed ourselves into a frenzy.
Today you have a big lesson. I have here for
you a LIVE audio.
http://streams.wgbh.org/love/
In over 30 languages- very cool – and very basic – let your love light shine!
This should keep you busy.
We love you,
Shoshie
Well holy dreck. My post went into blog land hell
I think.
OY VEY.
Any old way maybe it will show later. I love
that you have 24 roses.
I will be back later.
Love,
Shoshie
You did give birth to that beautiful girl, right? DRUGS ARE A GOOD THING. ;)
I love your brother, and I don't even know him.
Your flowers are gorgeous.
Posted by: Kami at February 16, 2006 08:54 AMhi! good luck to you!! i read everyday but sometimes just can't think of anything to say. i could just say 'hi,' i suppose, though! :)
keep on keepin' on!
Posted by: clandestine at February 16, 2006 09:16 AMCame over from Kami's site. Big hugs to you. I really enjoyed reading some of your posts. I can't imagine what you're going through, but I will keep you and your family in my thoughts!
Posted by: Sheri at February 16, 2006 09:26 AMDeb
You know that campaign, "Say NO to drugs!"
They did NOT mean Pain medications used in hospital procedures. USE the DRUGS!!! That's what they were invented for! You are going through enough without having more pain inflicted on you. You are doing great. Kudos to your brother. Ditto the ice on your chest. Remember, repeat after me, " I want PAIN MEDICATION"
Cami
Posted by: Cami at February 16, 2006 09:49 AMBeautiful roses! Oh, and your brother rocks, by the way. Four million and he was ready to go back for more. What a guy!
Posted by: karen at February 16, 2006 12:03 PMRoses, roses, and more roses. I am going to
come 'bout a hundred times today. Looking at
your "gawgeous roses".
I wonder if my post is floating over head
in the big state of Texas, the missing post.
XOXO
Shoshie
Oh yeah I have Aretha Franklin on our site.
She is going to perform here daily until
you come home. Now how cool is that DEBUMA.
Shoshie
Posted by: Shoshie at February 16, 2006 12:19 PMHi.. I came here via Kami. I wish you and your family (the excelent cell givin bro included!)the best of luck with everything!! I don't know how you still sound so upbeat about it all. You seem like an amazing person. I hope to read more and get to know you. Stay strong and tough!!
Posted by: Easily Amused at February 16, 2006 01:06 PMOMG, are they not about the most beautiful! They are simply gorgeous! Nothing to make a girl's heart flutter like a bouquet of flowers, especially them roses! Dang, you are one lucky girl!
Got you and Zoe's picture on my refrigerator--say a prayer for you both every time I see it, which is a lot! Went by the sushi place, said a prayer. Went by your apartment complex, said a prayer. Girl, can you tell you've been heavy on my mind?
Big Question: Want me to come get you tomorrow and we can go get Zoe out of school and go to the park or some place fun? Wouldn't that just be a blast?
And to let you know that you inspired me with the get moving mission you mentioned a few days ago: Saturday I bought myself a pair of chaps and boots and today I got on the back of a horse for the first time since Lauren was born and I injured my back! Can you believe? I went horse-back riding and I felt wonderful....a little scared when she told me to drop my stirrups and the horse decided he'd be funny and take off into a trot. But I stayed on, controlled him and I felt like I kicked some A! Thanks for inspiring me!
Love you,
Roses are red,
violets are blue
the flowers are loverly
and so are you
Yea, so that's the poetry for today. I am in awe of your strength...and the vocabulary expansion I'm getting from you and from Shoshie is mind opening to say the least! Mammajamma is a word I must absolutely use in a sentence today! LOL
You are most definitely kicking cancer's ass honey. I'm thinking of you this afternoon.
Peace.
Posted by: Traci at February 16, 2006 03:30 PMHere I am again..once a day..like a blog vitamin :)
Reminds me of 80's Whitesnake...
"Here I go again...
to Deb's Blog..."
:)
Hugs -
Bradley
The Egel Nest
I also thought of a fun t-shirt for your brother...
It should say...
"I donated stem cells...and all I got was this stupid t-shirt and a lemon merengue pie!"
LOL
Hugs :)
Bradley
The Egel Nest
Dropping by to say HI and wishing you well! I hopped from Kami's blog and Shoshie's blog to your beautiful blog. Our thoughts and love being sent to you. Keep up the writing and will religiously visit every day!
PS Beautiful flowers!
Posted by: Trish at February 16, 2006 04:24 PMShe's a bad mammajamma
Just as fine as she can be . . .
Nikki's not the only famous R&B singer in these parts, you know.
*sniff* It smells lovely in here :)
Posted by: Susie at February 16, 2006 04:43 PMFlowers are nice. I got some from my honey Tues. I wish you the best ! Im here via Kami too. Your daughter is a cutie !
Posted by: Steph at February 16, 2006 05:46 PMHello, wishing you all the best for the forthcoming treatment, that CVC line sounds awfully painfull, you are brave. Your brother is superman for having such arse kicking stem cells. Hope you have a good night.xx
Posted by: lynne at February 16, 2006 06:31 PMHey I came from Kami's blog. I am a nurse and worked for years in a hospital. You put it all so true. What I noticed about the nuclear med people where I worked was they all had red hair. Things that make you go HMMM. Hang in there. I will keep stopping by to check on you.
Posted by: poody at February 16, 2006 07:09 PMThe flowers are great!
Yes, always, always get the drugs. I do.
Laurel
Posted by: laurel at February 16, 2006 07:29 PMYes, yes, yes, you *can* do this.
Posted by: hamel at February 16, 2006 07:36 PMI came over from Kami's site, and i'm glad I did. I wish you much strength in the coming weeks, and kick C's butt k? I'll buy some flowers and post a picture for you!
Posted by: Suzanne at February 16, 2006 07:46 PMThis Mammajamma is off to bed. I really love
this new word you gave me.
Hope you had a good day. Sniff the flowers for me. All 24 of them.
Nikki
Posted by: Nikki at February 16, 2006 09:51 PMI tried to visit today from work and tah dah, you were blocked! Ha ha, you should be proud, it's a sucky place to visit!
I couldn't remember the mammajamma word and wanted to spice up my vocab for the day but alas, I'll have to be better at remembering.
Your Bro is one awesome hero!! 4 million - Holy Stem Cells, girl, you're going to positively blow on outta there once you get 'em!
I'm keeping you in my prayers and learning some Yiddish in the meantime, thanks for sharing your life with us.
(By the way, I didn't know Texas and North Carolina are parallel universes (PU). I know your PU-twin. Her nickname is Debums and she also has a wicked sense of humor, different than yours but the two of you would either fight like cats or kill the rest of us as we try to catch our breath between belly laughs and peeing our pants. I'll have her say a few drawling prayers for you, too!)
Posted by: Bren at February 16, 2006 09:58 PMHi Deb~
I hope today has been good to you. You have been on my mind all day and I am praying so hard for you!
Check out this website http://www2.caringbridge.org/canada/julianna/
Very wise words!
Keep kickin ass!
Posted by: Erin at February 16, 2006 10:17 PMLovely flowers. Honey yes tell them yes before you even
need pain meds, since you know they take a while getting
them. We're all here w/you & wishing you the best. I'm
Kami's Milf.:)
Good Morning Debuma:
I swore I wasn't going to give you any of
the bad Yiddish words. A few days ago you
asked for the F word in different languages.
The Yiddish teacher has relented only because
it's Friday and Fridays start with the letter
F. Presenting the word FERCOCKT which means
FU** in Yiddish. I won't put it in a sentence.
I know my straight A Yiddish student can do that
without my help.
Happy Friday and enjoy my Friday word.
Love,
Shoshie
Deb, have a great Friday!!
Shoshie, how does one pronouce that word? I could teach it to my son. He picked up "What the f***?" from me, when I'm driving. AWFUL. Help me. He goes to a church preschool. I think if he drops the F bomb there we'll be in trouble.
Posted by: Kami at February 17, 2006 07:51 AMJust checking in and letting you know I'm thinking of you.
Take care, Deb.
Posted by: CircusKelli at February 17, 2006 08:10 AMThis place looks like a florists. I should have
my husband look at all these roses. In one word
beautiful.
We have reposted my daughter and Aretha Franklin
for good MoJo.
Put your boots on and kick ass Deb
XO
Rachel
Hey, came via Kami's blog. Your brother rocks! Much love and prayers for you. Your iPod list is not that weird, I like all those songs :)
Posted by: Mainline Mom at February 17, 2006 10:51 AMDeb, keep on kickin butt. I found that my radiation team of peeps were the absolute best, bestest of folks. Sweet, solicitous, gentle, funny and just angels.
i hope you're doing okay and i'm thinking of you!!
xoxo
Hey, when y'all are finished kicking cancer's ass, can you put your brother on loan for some of us? Every girl needs a bubba' that can kick ass and like pie!
Posted by: Benita at February 17, 2006 02:58 PMCheck in with us when you can. I will be thinking of you on Sunday.
Kick that cancer's ass!
Posted by: Missy at February 17, 2006 03:26 PMHappy Friday Deb :)
Thinking of you...
Bradley
The Egel Nest
I guess you are sniffing those roses and using
your new F word.
Your freaking fake sister ME checking in on
you. Now my kiddies are asking me" how's that
Uma lady?" Can you keep up with all these names?
They call you UMA LADY-I told them the Uma Lady
is getting ready for her big date. The upgrade
edition-getting your brothers cells.
I think this line is from the movie Jaws.
Shoshie
Your roses are beautiful and although I ordered them a few days ago, I think the flowers that my daughter receives tomorrow for her adoption day, will meet your request.
My thoughts are with you.
Posted by: Maria Morris-Burke at February 17, 2006 06:46 PMYou are doing awesome; I cannot believe that the 19th (my favorite #) in Sunday. Good things have to happen on Sundays. Try to read the “The Four Agreements” or just do the quick read. You already do #1. You are impeccable with your words. Try to do #2. Don’t take anything personally; I know this is going to be hard when you’re in lock down and everyone is telling you what to do. #3. Do not make any assumptions, they only get your mind going crazy, wait for the facts and #4. ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST (like you have been doing).
You will do this assignment , you and Zoe will happily ever after.
I am thinking and praying for you from Boston
Peace, Health and Happiness.
Nancy
Thanks for the song implant! "She's a bad mammajamma!...."
You CAN do this! And your brother? Holy cow...major stem cell stud. Woohoo!
I'm thinking of you!!!
Posted by: Cindy at February 17, 2006 11:06 PMOk so I am looking once again at your beautiful
flowers. As Sarah would say you are probably
in major "willified" mode.
You can do this DEBUMA, I am guessing you may
want to smack me sometimes. Feel free, get in
line. I will check in with you later. I will
bring a joke, or a funny video. Cuz try and do
a visual-like you are going on the Queen Mary
for 30 days. Penthouse cabin which goes for about
100,000 dollars at least. We need new images in
your head. OK Deb...and Deb says to me...OK
Shoshie.....What a great idea.....
Shoshie
Posted by: Shoshie at February 18, 2006 06:50 AMHey, Deb. I'm going to have a drink for YOU at Blog Blowout. What kind do you want?
I'll be thinking about you tomorrow. GET IN THERE AND DO SOME ASS KICKING!
Posted by: Kami at February 18, 2006 08:18 AMWe have a little video for you. We "stole" this
from Bucky. It's a little SNL and it is really
funny, of course we are a little sick in the
head. Hope you enjoy!
http://www.devilducky.com/media/28531/
Nikki
Posted by: Nikki at February 18, 2006 08:41 AMWishing you much luck and a very speedy recovery!
Posted by: Brighton at February 18, 2006 09:14 AM