About as Mundane as it Gets
You know how some bloggers post their mood and such? I like that and I may start doing that, but for now I’m just going to tell you this:
Mood: Blah
I saw my oncologist today for a routine checkup. Everything was fine except for that I’m about as big as a house and my white blood count is low. The fact that I’m about as big as a house didn’t bother him in the least. The subject never even came up. As for the white blood count, he wasn’t too concerned. He chalked it up to moving and being introduced to new viruses that we didn’t have in Arkansas. I never asked for these introductions. What’s the deal??
I’ve been told by several women who have been through reconstruction to get a special post-surgical camisole. You just step into it and it has little pockets in it for your drains. But you can’t just run to Wal-Mart or Penney’s or anything like that. So there’s this nice little lingerie boutique not too far from my doctor’s office that not only has wonderful lingerie, it also caters to breast cancer patients. Now granted, my mood was somewhat less than chipper because: a) I’m about as big as a house; and b) my white count is low. The woman who helped me was nice enough – she’s also a breast cancer survivor – but without coming right out and saying it, she tried to talk me out of reconstruction. I’m sorry that her implants she got at the same time she had a bilateral mastectomy didn’t work out for her. I’m glad that she’s fine without any reconstruction at all and the prostheses are wonderful and she loves them. But leave me alone.
Stopped by a used book store without a list. Why do I do such stupid things? The only book I could think of I wanted was Winter Garden by Adele Ashworth. Of course they didn’t have it. I ended up getting Enemy of God by Bernard Cornwell because I have the first book – Winter King (Hey! That’s almost like Winter Garden) – and I had a ton of money in credit there so I didn’t want to leave empty handed.
Ran by Valley Forge to get a Christmas present for Katie she’d seen a couple months ago, but they didn’t have it. They didn’t even have it on order. I haven’t looked to see if I can get it on-line, but I’m not hopeful.
To assuage my mounting despair, I ran by Starbucks for a Venti White Chocolate Mocha and a piece of coffee cake. Yes, I know I’m about as big as a house and this lunch isn’t helping matters, but it made me happy. And I used my gift certificate Taylor gave me for my birthday so it was free.
M&Ms
Last night I was sitting in Todd’s big green comfy chair watching the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockefeller Plaza, eating M&Ms. They showed the tree before it was cut down and all I could think was, “I saw that exact tree!” (See here) Very cool.
As I was eating my M&Ms I realized I was grouping them by color and eating certain colors at a time. It made me think of the different powers each color held as taught to me at church camp in the 5th grade. This, in turn, made me giggle because orange was supposed to make your boobs big. You should have seen the inordinate amount of orange M&Ms I ate while I was growing up. In case you didn’t know, there’s not an ounce of truth to it. But my mind, as it’s oft want to do, started straying. If there was truth to it, what would it mean for my upcoming reconstruction? I didn’t come up with any answers and it was really too exhausting to ponder for long.
Smelly Trash
Our kitchen, eating area and family room is an open area. Todd had reclaimed his chair at some point and when Criminal Minds came on I was laying on the couch. I was so comfortable that instead of getting up and taking out the incredibly smelly trash, I pulled my t-shirt up over my nose. My Dove deodorant smelled waaaay better! The only problem was that I eventually ran out of oxygen. So Todd, being the sweetheart he is, got up and took the trash out for me. I sprayed the heck out of the trash can and surrounding area with Lysol to get rid of the stench.
Reading
I finished Eragon Tuesday. What a great book. I know it took me forever to read it, but I decided it was because I was so enamored with this kids’ writing technique – the imagery was truly incredible. It became more of a clinical read than an entertainment read. I’m very anxious to see the movie, mostly to see how they brought his ideas to the screen. Taylor is very slowly reading The Eldest and I’m looking forward to reading it whenever he does finish it.
In the meantime, I finally started Lady of Sin by Madeline Hunter. I had originally planned on skimming through all the previous books to gain my bearings, but they’re in boxes in the garage – just like my Loretta Chase books. Maybe this weekend… There are a few things I’d like to sort out in my mind before I read much further, but nothing too much. So far I’m enjoying the book. I always did like Charlotte and am glad she’s going to get another chance at being happy.
When I finish this book I’ll probably be reading Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas. Yes, you read that right. DREAMING OF YOU! Woo hoo!! It should be here today, tomorrow at the latest. Then I’ll know what all the Derek-hubbub is about.
You really know how to bring a smile to my face! :DWhen your mood is Blah, you NEVER go shopping. It just makes it worse. And, lunch at Starbucks is never bad for you – only good. Besides, you needed to use that gift certificate anyway. On the M&M’s…. just remember the yellow ones make you pee. I don’t remember the color “powers”, you will have to remind us all. But, I guess don’t eat too many of the orange ones right before your surgery, you might decide to go to a bigger size! What do you do with all the books you buy? Do most go to the used book store, or do you keep them? (Since I’m starting to clear things out, I really need to know!)I always enjoy reading your ramblings!
Hey, Jen — she’s right. NEVER try to go shopping when you’ve got the blahs. It’s rarely a pretty thing. 🙂 And I’m a firm believer in Starbucks therapy, as you know.As for Winter Garden . . . I have that one somewhere (and yes, it was really good!). If I can find it again, would you like me to send it to you? It’s no problem. Although, I may have to re-read it first . . . it’s been years since I read it, but it’s one that sticks with you to a certain extent.Jennifer
Terri – I’m glad my sad life makes you smile. :o) As for all my books I either take them to the UBS for credit or I keep them. But mostly I take them to the UBS for credit. That was a really great deal in Benton because for one thing I was reading a whole lot more and for another thing, I never paid a red cent for any book there. This one I have to pay a percentage of each book I buy, even with my credit.Jennifer – YES! I would love to borrow your book!! It’s not in print and the cheapest used paperback I’ve found is over $20.00!! I promise I would take good care of it and send it back directly!!
Hey kiddo- Hope you’re feeling better by now. Coffee (and anything eaten while drinking coffee) is never fattening. Just so you remember that later. Lady in the shop sounds obnoxious, but I hope you got the camisole you needed. Remember- reconstruction has come a long way in recent years. Don’t let her get you down.I’m sure Todd would like you to eat plenty of GREEN m&ms- the horny ones. LOL Have fun!
Hi, Jenster!Orange M&Ms, huh? I knew there had to be an explanation out there in the ‘Verse for these hooters. I had always chalked up my inordinately strong sex drive to my green M&M intake, but never knew about the orange thing. Uh – that sound you just heard was my husband FOTFLHAO.Have you done any serious Christmas shopping yet? I’ve got a few things, but I’m all confused. I don’t know what to get anyone, and I keep waiting for inspiration to strike, knock me unconscious, whatever, but no such luck. I think the pathetic mall wandering stage is going to kick in soon.I just read Dreaming of You not too long ago, and I can’t wait to discuss it with you!I hope you have a non-blah day tomorrow. :-)Jayne
Amanda – the lady in the shop didn’t for an instant make me think I shouldn’t do it. It’s a completely different type of reconstruction anyway. I just wasn’t in the mood. lolYeah. I’ve been given my share of green M&Ms in my life, too. :o)Jayne – Are you sure it’s the green M&Ms or is it your reading choices?? :o)I’m hoping to get most of my Christmas shopping done on-line. I’m hoping to avoid the mall!I did get Dreaming of You yesterday so I’ll be starting it in the next few days, hopefully.How is the weather where you are? Did the kids get out of school today?Jen
Hi, Jen!One did, one didn’t. Chicago Public Schools really never close, so my son had school. My daughter did the snow day “jig of glee” this morning and then went right back to bed.I did manage to get to Sam’s Club today and bought some Christmas presents – some DVDs and one of those digital picture frame things that show photos like a slide show for my BIL and SIL. I’d kind of like one of those myself, if I could get someone to set it all up for me.Was it a cheerier day for you? It’s the weekend, and that always helps!Jayne
It was a little better. I spent the better part of the day trying to clean out Katie’s room – what a disaster! Didn’t I just do all that in January to sell the house and then in April before we moved??? Where does all this stuff come from??We went to a birthday party for one of the kids in our youthgroup last night and that was fun.Best part, though, was sleeping in this morning. :o)Jen
First- Congrats and hugs for being a survivor! (lost my Mom to cancer, although it was non-hodgkins lymphoma- still, I’m always exstatic to hear from survivors!) Perhaps the low white blood cell count is your body fighting a cold or infection? That’s what I’m crossing my fingers for at least ..Adele Ashworth? Haven’t read her or never would have heard of her before if it wasn’t for some dustup she had at All About Romance … Have you read her before? Do you suggest any titles to start with? Haven’t done any christmas shopping yet, but then I usually wait til the last minute …
I want to read Eragon too, it’s on my wishlist…so hopefully I’ll get it soon and read it and then I’ll see if I like it as much as you do.I use Dove deoderant too…it smells FAB! I actually use ALL of Dove’s products, the shampoo/conditioner, shower gel, all of it..I’m a Dove snob. LOL. But it smells SOOOO good.And orange M&M’s make your boobs bigger, huh? LOL…I’m buying M&M’s right now, regardless of if it’s true or not. LOL.As for your low white blood cell count, I’ve got my fingers crossed for you sweets!Hugs!