debutaunt.com

Testing 1-2-3

I'm in Houston for an appointment with my "box doc."

I also got a bone density scan and will have a pulmonary function test tomorrow morning.

So far, my bones are looking good. I was like, "That's what I like to hear!!"

And now, thanks to low-dose birth control pills, instead of having a cervix that is all dried up like a prune (sorry, I know, TMI) I have one of a much younger woman apparently. I also take that to be a good sign.

I'm missing Zoe. She gave mom a hard time about wearing pants this morning as she'd much rather wear shorts and knee socks. It's about 40 in San Antonio, so mom wasn't having it. Mom said Z was like the devil when she heard that. I said, "Welcome to my world." Thank God for daily uniforms. I can't imagine how she'd fight if we actually had to choose clothes every day.

It's kind of nice to go to MD Anderson just for check up stuff. To have hair is so different. People actually smile at you, and woah.... men were checking me out for a change. That is still weird to me. I've been invisible for so long now.

I made myself walk a lot today. I'm trying to keep moving. I'm not liking this weight gain thing. I'm fat in places I've never been fat before. So not bueno!

I'm still really achy though. I think that adds about 25 years to how old my body feels. That's gonna have to be a trend I am going to reverse! Although at least at MD Anderson they want to know *why* I'm sore. Not just guestimating that it is one of my meds. I want to know why too. Because I don't think the muscle aches are related to the herniated back discs.

Ok. Way too much medical/body talk. I'm going to go eat my soup and salad and then later I get the honor of taking my little cute niece to ballet lessons.

I can do this. I have a mule-headed, stubborn, bird-talking daughter to tame.

Your assignment today.... Ok. I'm still after you all to give blood. What I forgot to clarify is that if you are unable/ineligible to give blood, or too terribly scared to give blood, please do the following:

1. If you blog, blog about how important it is to give blood if you are eligible. Here is a list from the American Red Cross about Blood Donation Eligibility Guidelines.

2. Facts About Blood. FAQ. Blood Donation Process. Tips for a Good Donation Experience.

3. If you aren't eligible, please try to find and convince someone else to give blood. Find some big ol' dude and go hold his hand. Ask the many blogging moms to think about what it would be like if their own child needed blood, and then try to imagine the many moms all across the country with sick children who require blood or platelets. If you can't do it, there is someone who just hasn't thought about it much who needs that extra push. You are writers, so convince them!

According to the American Red Cross, every 2 seconds someone needs blood. When I was in treatment, I needed over 20 units, which is not that many for someone with leukemia or a transplant patient. That blood literally saved my life. So please help. Don't be scared if you are eligible. Needle phobia is real, but it's small in comparison to what people needing blood are going through. Be brave. You can do it!!

Here is a great list:

10 You will get free juice and cookies.
9 You will weigh less — one pint less when you leave than when you came in.
8 It's easy and convenient — it only takes about an hour and you can make the donation at a donor center, or at one of the many Red Cross mobile blood drives.
7 It's something you can spare — most people have blood to spare... yet, there is still not enough to go around.
6 Nobody can ask you to do any heavy lifting as long as you have the bandage on. You can wear it for as long as you like. It's your badge of honor.
5 You will walk a little taller afterwards — you will feel good about yourself.
4 You will be helping to ensure that blood is there when you or someone close to you may need it. Most people don't think they'll ever need blood, but many do.
3 It's something you can do on equal footing with the rich and famous — blood is something money can't buy. Only something one person can give to another.
2 You will be someone's hero — you may give a newborn, a child, a mother or a father, a brother, or a sister another chance at life. In fact, you may help save up to three lives with just one donation.
1 It's the right thing to do.

1 I don't like needles / I am scared of needles / I am afraid to give blood
Nearly everyone feels that way at first. However, most donors will tell you that you feel only a slight initial pinch, and 7-10 minutes later, you are finished and headed for the canteen. If you take the time (and courage) to make one donation, you'll wonder why you ever hesitated.
2 I am too busy
The entire process takes about an hour, and the actual blood donation time is only 7-10 minutes. If you stop to think that an hour of your time could mean a lifetime for a premature baby, someone with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, or someone who's had an accident, you might decide that you can make the time to give the gift of life.
3 No-one ever asked me… I didn't realize my blood was needed
Consider yourself asked! There is simply no other way to supply the blood needs of hospital patients but for the generous donations of people like you. Every two seconds someone in America needs blood. More than 38,000 donations are needed every day in communities across the U.S.
4 I already gave this year
You can give every 56 days. Many donors give 5 times a year!
5 I am afraid I'll get AIDS
It is not possible to get AIDS by donating blood to the American Red Cross. A new sterile needle is used for each donor and discarded afterwards.
6 My blood isn't the right type
Every type of blood is needed daily to meet patient needs. If you have a common blood type, there are many patients who need it, so it is in high demand. If you have a less common blood type, there are fewer donors available to give it, so it is in short supply.
7 I don't have any blood to spare
The average adult body has 10-12 pints of blood. Doctors say that healthy adults may give regularly because the body quickly replaces the blood you donate.
8 I don't want to feel weak afterward
Donating blood should not affect adversely a healthy adult because your body has plenty of blood. You will donate less than one pint, and your body, which constantly makes new blood, will replace the donated volume within 24 hours. Most people continue their usual activities after donating.
9 They won't want my blood (I am too old / I've had an illness)
If you have doubts, check with your physician. The qualified staff on duty at a blood drive or donor center will also review your medical history with you. There is no upper age limit to donate blood with the American Red Cross, and a great many medical conditions do not prevent you from donating blood, or may have done so only temporarily in the past.
10 I have a rare blood type, so I'll wait until there is a special need
Blood that is rare or special is almost always in short supply. There is a constant need for these blood types in order to avoid having to recruit specific blood types in a crisis.

I had to laugh because a really good friend of mine from Houston left this comment about me on a dating website as a "testimonial:"

Deb and I are friends, but we don't always see things eye to eye. One thing is, she's taller. Another thing is, I like boobs, whereas I believe she likes wieners. I'm not saying she likes YOUR wiener, I mean, she doesn't even know you. I'm not saying she dislikes it either though. So you could say she's ambivalent about your wiener, and I think that's really all a guy can ask for at the start. Deb is very smart but not in a nerdy, pretentious way, more of a 'let's use our brains to have fun' way. She's more interested in having a good time than trying to act all superior. That being said, she doesn't have much patience for ignorance. What's it like for a stupid guy talking to Deb? Imagine trying to play Tim Duncan in a game of one on one. Don't bring that sh!t in here! Ask her for IM transcripts as proof if you need it. Key words: Afro puffs. For you, Deb would be an entertaining woman to date, and a grounded, resourceful, sensual person to be involved with. Plus, she's indestructible.

Posted by debutaunt at January 24, 2008 01:24 PM