Favorite Quote

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."
-Randy Pausch


Saturday, July 19, 2008

Whoa-Whoa-Wee-Wow

Great news!  My Gastro doc says after my prednisone taper I am DONE with the ‘roids.  Finally!   

I had my Remicade infusion and saw my doc on Friday.  I definitely wasn’t looking forward to my infusion b/c I was worried I was going to get stuck with a needle like 5+ times.  Because I have been stuck so many times in the past two years my veins now harden and roll or they conveniently “magically” disappear when they know the needle is near.  It’s absolutely amazing what the subconscious-self can do.  I mean, mentally I don't think it’s a big deal, but apparently my subconscious-self does.  The damn thing has a mind of it’s own  and as a result, my veins disappear.  It’s freakin’ amazing.  Take Thursday for example.  I was looking at the veins in my arms and saw a few good potentials.  Conveniently enough, as I was sitting in the comfy La-Z-Boy Recliner in the Ambulatory Infusion Center Friday morning, they were nowhere to be seen.  Interesting. 

 Anyway, the nurse successfully poked a vein in my hand on the first try and the rest is history!  Thank goodness!  My Remicade aka Mouse Juice aka Jerry Juice (as Clarice calls it) was doubled this time around, so hopefully my body will stay in remission once off the 'roids.  So, if I look extra Jerry-ish it’s b/c I have double the mouse antibodies flowing through my veins.  And no, I’m not joking!  I’m a little fatigued and my body is a little out of whack right now, but I think its b/c the medicine is doing its thing.  Cleaning out the bad and healing the wounds.

 After my infusion I saw my Gastro Doc.  As I ever so excitedly announced above, after I taper down from the ‘roids this time I am done with the prednisone.  He is concerned for my bones as well as my eyes.  I guess if you’ve been on prednisone for quite a while it can start affecting your eyes.  I’m just glad that instead of me making my own decision to be off the ‘roids (we all know how that went), my Doc put his foot down and said no more.  It’s a relief.  Trust me.  So, this news is, as Borat would say, “Great Success!” 

 If for some reason I do start flaring again, my meds are getting switched and I’m getting another colonoscopy b/c he wants to check my mucosa and just reaffirm that there isn’t anything shady going on in there.  My doc spoke about possibly putting me on Humira or Methotrexate.  He also said he would write me a referral to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.  So, like anything else with this beast, we’ll just wait and see what my body decides to do.  Of course I want more than anything to stay in remission. 

 I flew back to AZ early this morning (THANX DAVID FOR TAKING ME TO THE AIRPORT AT 0430)!  Actually I want to give much love to David, my super awesome neighbor, who put up with my crazy paranoia and silly self.  I also want to thank Barb, who is not only one of my best friends, but my pseudo mama!  You guys are great!  I was only in VA for a few days, but the days were great and well spent.  Yes, even my long day at the hospital on Friday wasn't that bad because things got accomplished and a lot of questions were answered. 

 I’m not planning on going back to VA until mid September for my next treatment cycle, so I’m going to be livin’ it up in AZ, and doing a lot of riding.  Until next time my friends!

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello Sissy.
Jerry Juice is as great as the wheet grass cake that was in Whole Foods.
You did look a lot healthier due to the double Jerry Juice placement.
This movie I'm watching is really out of this world. Whoa-Whoa-Wee-Wow!!!.... .... .... .... ... NOT!!








No, really, it's far out, wiggy wiggy wah wah. .... ... ... ... ...
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
... ... ... ... ... ... ... . NOT!!

Anonymous said...

VERRRY NICE!!!!!! GREAT SUCCESS

Anonymous said...

Oh... Emma.... did I mention that I might be getting married?
I think I got her pregnant.
-Ling Ling

Anonymous said...

THIS IS MY SEESTER AND I LOVE HER!!!


WTF IS LING LING TALKING ABOUT? GRREAT DISSTURBBBING! GIVE ME DETAILS!

LOVE,
SEESTER

Anonymous said...

Greeat Disturbing??!!?? That is not right,
It is a precious gift... Ling Ling is to be Papa. Great success. I guess it's faster to swim than it is to fly, not that I know personally or anything.




....................................NOT

Anonymous said...

YUCK Ling Ling! That makes me GAG! I'll smother it with a pillow!

Anonymous said...

Wow Emma, one stick – was that ever the answer to our specific prayers last Friday!

We will keep praying that your "little" body responds favorably to this double dose of Jerry Juice. Keep pedaling and riding that bike! We can't wait to ride with you and Matt on our tandem.

Isaiah 40:31 says, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings as eagles; They shall run and not be weary; They shall walk and not be faint.”

Press on, be positive, keep looking up and beyond. Hold on to all the moments and days you are feel outrageously wonderful. Those moments will be there to refresh you when needed to help carry you through the days that you may not be feeling “tip-top.” We will pray continually that those kind of days will be fewer and farther between all the time!

We miss you. Sending Hugs!
xoxox, mom

Anonymous said...

smother it with a pillow? how generous. . .

Anonymous said...

I have no legs.

Anonymous said...

No, really, I don't.

Anonymous said...

Got Guts?

Anonymous said...

No, I'm just kidding.

Emma said...

How do you sleep at night? Seriously!

Anonymous said...

NOT!!!!!

Emma said...

.....NOT

Anonymous said...

Hey cuz I'm glad your doing so well. I been a bit behind on reading your blog but i just finished catching up. soundslike your feeling a bit better. Im glad your getting to ride a lot more and do things that you like to do. I hope you continue to progress and not relapse. Well I wish you the best of luck and say hi to everyone up in the phoenix area for me...

your cuz,
Paco