Just a Quick Check-In

Our Tennessee Gals

Hi gang-  hope this note finds everyone healthy and happy.  Want to report that our patient is doing quite well....physically, anyway.

He's dealing with his nemesis-  anything connected with WATER.  This week it's our septic system.  Next week it'll be the pond, the hot tub, the hot water heater or the well.... the guy can't catch a break when it comes to water.  I told him that this is probably Karma.... he probably drowned someone in a past life, or something!

Anyway, it's been a busy couple of weeks.  We headed to the beach on the 16th.  Had a delightful time, as always.  Had a real taste sensation...... Walked over to  Los Rancheros  (our go-to Mexican joint).  Sat at a table in the bar and had our delightful Eduardo as our waiter.  Enjoyed 2/1 Margaritas to start.  As I was looking at the menu, Eduardo asked me if I had ever had Mole.  Nope.  I'd heard of it, but never tasted it. Well.....it knocked me out!  Such complex flavors!  I'm going to start making it at home.  Chicken Mole rocks!  (So does Eduardo....he's very sweet about letting me catch up on my Spanish!)

Brian and Tina

Donn and Tina

Tina and Dom

Did our normal Hungry Howie's Pizza and Dee's Hangout while we were there.  Spent quality time with Donn and Tina, as well as the gals at Coyote Ugly!  Met some delightful gals from Tennessee who are now Facebook buddies..... they were a real kick in the ass.... look forward to their next visit to PCB!

Came home on Friday the 20th.  Wendy and her boyfriend of 16 years, Bubby, got married on Saturday.  We attended the reception for a couple of hours.  2 beers each and alot of hugging and kissing.

Which brings us to Tuesday.  I went in to see handsome Dr. Culasso with the sorest throat I've ever had....reminded me of having strep and swollen glands yearly as a kid.  Turns out there's a virus going around...  Gave me a shot of steroids in the hip, told me that I'd start feeling better, but it would get worse....  

Sure enough!  Woke up on Wed. morning feeling like a million bucks.  That lasted the day.  Presently feel like hell.  Coughing, spitting, blowing, sneezing.....  you get the picture.  Feeling a little bit better than yesterday, so perhaps it's running it's course.

So, we're just having a quiet Memorial Day Weekend.  I haven't left the house for groceries, so making do with what we have in the freezer.  Hope y'all have a delightful weekend!

Easter Weekend and Beyond

Hello, gang....  

I wanted to share the fun Easter Weekend that we had with you.

We arrived home from the condo on Good Friday afternoon.  A couple of hours later, dear friend Dennis came over with the love of his life, Cheryl.  It was wonderful to finally meet her.  She and I hit it off immediately...we became fast friends.

They brought over huge pork chops stuffed with a seafood dressing.  The boys plopped 'em on the grill, while I whipped up some fresh Snow Peas from the garden, with sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds. 

On Saturday, our Chris came over.  When he arrived, the 5 of us headed to Crystal's Trip for a few beers.  Then, on to our favorite Chinese joint.  All you can eat plus Snow Crab Legs and Boiled Shrimp.  Nanette managed to embarrass not only her husband, but the other men at the table.  "Christ, Dominic!  Where does she put all of that food???  My God!!!".    *grinning*

Dennis and Cheryl headed back to Metairie, while Dom, Chris and I headed back to our place for more fun.

Easter Sunday morning, I made my traditional breakfast of creamed hard-boiled eggs and asparagus over English Muffins.

Dinner was great-  A nice kosher salt encrusted Standing Rib Roast that I had plugged with garlic  (a little too cooked for my liking, but the boys were delighted-  I like my beef to MOO at me).  On the side, I had a Spinach Souffle, Balsamic Carmelized Pearl Onions and Au Gratin Potatoes.  Chris brought cupcakes for dessert.  We had a lovely time.

Chris left on Monday morning, and yours truly went into a cleaning frenzy.  Dom's childhood best friend, "Big John" drove down from Cleveland on Friday.  The boys had alot of fun shooting pistols and rifles, reminiscing about their glory days and drinking beer.  He stayed until the following Saturday.

Dennis and Dom

Our Chris and The Dominic

Rib Roast in Bondage

 

Ready for the Oven

"Big John and Nanette"

We now have our home back, and are enjoying our solitude....  for a couple days, anyway.... then LET THE FUN BEGIN AGAIN!!!!!  Happy Saturday, gang!

Another Milestone- Goodbye Thalidomide..... Goodbye Coumadin!

We got some wonderful news at our Tulane Cancer Center yesterday.  Dom had to have his monthly Zometa infusion.  He mentioned to our Nurse Practitioner that his neuropathy had slowly spread up to mid calf/shin in the past 2 weeks.  Nothing serious, just wanted to give them a heads-up that he was feeling slightly numb.

Much to our delight, they conferred with Dr. Safah who told him to stop the Thalidomide.  (As well as the Coumadin)  Dom was scheduled to go off of the "poison" in July, which will be his 2 year post transplant anniversary.....aka his Second Birthday.  (I'm dreading going through his "terrible twos"  LOL )

His numbers continue to increase, too.  Thus, she felt no trepidation about stopping the Thalidomide.  Hurrah for The Dominic!

So now, we're just looking at his monthly infusion of Zometa!        ZOMETA INFO  

"Most multiple myeloma patients develop bone disease, which can cause bone fractures that are extremely painful and debilitating. The current gold standard for treating myeloma bone disease is bisphosphonates, a class of drugs that slow the breakdown of bone, thereby reducing the number of fractures."

HCT:    35.7

WBC:   5.4

ANC:    3000

PLATELET:  231