Back to Chicago

A few days ago Cory, from Dr. Balabanov's office, called to remind me that I need to be taking Vitamin D and that I need to see the doctor again in late October or early November. I told her that I've been having trouble with the OTC Vitamin D. I didn't tell her that it had been weeks since I've taken any. She said I could go from 5000 units a day to 3000. I tried it and it still made me feel kind of sick. This morning I called the pharmacy and refilled my script for the Vitamin D. It's for 50,000 units a week but I figure that I'd rather take a little more than none at all. I've taken it at 50,000 units weekly in the past with no problems.

She set up an appointment for November 13th for me to see the doctor. He usually doesn't see patients on Friday but made an exception which I greatly appreciate. Andy's birthday is November 10th so we will make a weekend of it. I'm very much looking forward to hearing all of the positive things he has to say!

My hair is growing back like crazy. Not only is it getting longer but it's really filling in. I think that by the end of November my head will be covered. I'm still finding projects around the house that need doing. Yesterday I was moving furniture. One of the kids came home sick from school last week with a mild stomach bug. I remained unscathed. I did take him in to be seen by the pediatrician just to safe though.

I received a call from someone who is interested in this treatment today. I welcome the calls! I think it is important to get the word out about this so if anyone reading this would like to talk to me or email me directly or know of anyone that would please let me know. I believe in this 100%.

More Improvements

Today I went to BJ's Wholesale to do some shopping. I got up to the register and realized I didn't have my debit card to pay for the things I was getting. I had to walk out to the car to get my wallet and then walk back in. I didn't push a carriage for stability when I walked out. I felt totally confident. I never felt like I would trip or even worried about it. I paid for the items, left the store, loaded everything into the car etc. without a problem. When I got home I brought everything into the house and into the cellar. I usually leave everything, except the refrigerated items, in the car for Andy to deal with.

When I got everything inside I decided to wash down the shelving units in the cellar before I put everything away. This took over three hours. I had no trouble with this. I still feel great. This treatment has been amazing for me. I can't say enough positive things about it!!

Walking

I'm very excited about my walking lately. I just got back from the bus stop and, beside a little jerkiness in my left knee, I'm walking almost normally. This morning as I was putting my jeans on I bent down to pick up my left foot to put it into my pant leg but I didn't need to. It was already there! That was amazing to me! I yelled to Andy to look and those few seconds of holding my foot there blew my mind. Then I got up and stood on my tip toes without almost falling over. Wow, am I going to improve faster than I've been thinking I will? Have I rounded some sort of recovery corner? Time will tell.

Still Feeling Good

I've been working around the yard and the house lately and I'm doing very well. Just today I noticed how much my walking has improved. Some days if I really push it I'm not so great with the walking but otherwise I notice that it's better. I'm doing things that I normally wouldn't attempt because I'd be scared to take the chance. This afternoon I walked to a local store that I usually drive to. I had to walk through some woods on the way and I was fine! On Friday I got the front yard completely weeded and cleaned up. I was sore by the end of the day but felt good.

I've been making myself move 'normally' instead of avoiding it to save energy. Instead of sitting on my bum, turning and pulling myself up with something from a kneeling position I just make myself stand. It takes a while and makes me sore but those muscles haven't been used like this in quite some time. The point is- I can do it now. I consider this my physical therapy.

When I've been working and get tired and need a break my breaks aren't as long as they used to be. They're about 15 minutes compared to at least an hour. I can get back to what I was doing much more quickly. It's all very encouraging!

My hair is growing back and is about a 1/2" long on my head. It's growing faster in other places. I'm sure I'll be the hairy goon I've always been in no time. I'm able to get up in the morning and get the kids off to school with no problem. I still have energy to spare. I see the neighbor's wood pile and want to run over and split wood!

Small Update

There isn't much to report at this point. I'm feeling good and I've been active. I have some allergy trouble or maybe even a cold but other than that I'm well. I've been doing yard work and still feel good afterwards. We are having a deck put on the house and today I did some hammering. I admit I did have trouble holding the nails with my left hand after a while but shortly after I stopped my hand was "back."

My head hair seems like it's growing again and I had to shave my legs the other day for the first time since I was in Chicago. I also got my menstrual cycle so I assume the chemo didn't cause early menopause as I was told it could. It seems a little off the normal course but not much. My energy is still good and in general I'm pleased with my progress. I wish I had more to report but I don't. Just enjoying the weather! Hope you are too!

Tip Toes

In yesterday's post I forgot to mention that the other day, as I was kissing Andy goodbye for work, I got up on my tip toes without even realizing it. Once I did realize it I stepped back and said "did you see that?" and I tried it again. My balance wasn't so good but I could do it. I haven't been on my toes (left foot) in years! Last night's energy burst had me vacuuming the upstairs at 8 PM. Lovin' it!!

Improving

It's been quite a bit cooler and dryer here lately and I'm feeling good! I've made great progress with the yard work and today I started in the house. The kids started school so I spent 5 hours cleaning their play room. It's a small storage/attic area that I can't stand in so it did a job on my back but other than that I did very well.

Instead of the afternoon fatigue that I'd been having I now have afternoon bursts of energy! This afternoon I had to go to pick up a kitchen sink that I had special ordered. I was able to walk through the (very large) store without a carriage and I never worried about falling. It was a great feeling.

My hair is starting to slowly grow back on my legs (oh well) and one or two eyebrow hairs had to be plucked this week. The hair growth on my head seems to have slowed to a crawl. I still haven't worn a wig but I did come close to wearing it at a wedding last WE. The wedding was outside, in the drizzle and on a slope. I was very nervous about slipping (a few people had fallen) so I had a death grip on Andy whenever I walked more that a couple of steps. I didn't fall though. I was on my feet the entire time except for about 15 minutes that I sat to have some wedding cake. I was sore the next day and felt like I had gone skiing for the first time in years. It felt good.

Now that the kids are in school I can concentrate on exercising and getting things done. I need to get the house in order first. So, bottom line is things are looking good!!

Oh, by the way, another woman that had this treatment last year spoke with Dr. Balabanov about 2 weeks ago and he told her how amazed he was by the improvements I had in Rush! I was very happy to hear that!