holiday wrap up!

How were your holidays?  I hope they were beautiful!!

Mine? I spent my beautiful, happy holiday with my huge family.
I was pretty happy. I still am. This is a good week.

What else has been going on? Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Fun FUN.

NOOOOOOT. It should be re-labeled the wtf? disease.

But, GOOD NEWS: I had my doctor's appointment yesterday. They pulled blood and ran the factor 5 leiden test as well to see if I am prone to blood clots. It's gonna take some time to get the results in to me but I won't have to be on the blood thinners anymore no matter what!!!!

I was so, so happy.

Even happier when my amazing doctor (who I thought was amazing from the get-go) told me that he feels no more prominent lodes! gone gone gone...

Now all I need is a petscan to prove it!!

So here we go- I have my fourth chemo treatment on new year's eve...which is ironic since on New Years Day 2012 I was in the Bahamas...so 1/3 of the journey is over. I plan on going into full remisson, speeding towards the five year mark of cure cure cured!

So this is what's been going on in my head:

• doctor's appointments
• chemo days
• bone aches and pains
• chemo smells and taste. eew. eew. eew.
• stomach cramps
• having to force myself to have broths and soup. ew.
• when is this over when is this over 
• must prepare for upcoming book discussions and signings
• must sign up for college courses on specific things. sad part- a list of at least 6 classes i want to take that most (except for me) would deem un-fun.

What else? 

After this is over I need to find:

• a way to get my....certification. more on that soon.
• start my....more about that soon.
• re-organize my ransacked by paperwork life. Any Ideas?
• continue my manuscripts
• continue my illustrations
• a yoga studio!!! or wellness center! please shoot me ideas :)

what are you up to? are you preparing for new years 2013??

love me,

the globetrotting gamine

holidays without drama? nah

So what are the holidays without a little bit of drama?

Boring, probably. But I never knew I would be the one bringing the drama to the table.

Not the best time to say it, but I guess at this point word has spread and there's no turning back:

Not long after that post and during the tragic Hurricane Sandy, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Basically it was bye, bye plans and hello chemotherapy.

Yes, I'm bald.
Yes, it sucks and I've had a couple of really bad weeks but more really good weeks. So what have I been doing?

Planning my remission party. Planning getaways.
Dealing with it.
Praying.
Decorating for the holidays.
Some more praying.

Oh yeah- going to my book signings.

The good thing is that it's curable. Worst case scenario is that chemo will last about 5 more months.
The worst thing is the wait.
Even worst, waiting for the 5-year mark, i.e. CURED!

So here I am, dealing with it and writing a book about it. Complete with sketches.

Time to look for a publisher.

Please let me live vicariously through you with your happy news and holiday plans :)

love me,
the globetrotting gamine