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Sunday, August 26, 2012

So, What About That Cold Sore?


Since I am already sick and tired of my own complaining, I will just note that my relationship with this cold sore is slowly coming to an end. My only complaints during the night were that my top and bottom lip fused together, which caused a rude awakening when I opened my mouth, and then after I fell back to sleep, slathered in Vaseline, I was once more awoken when I turned my head, leaving the top layer of my lovely cold sore on the pillow!

So, note to self; when a cold sore is present, sleep on your back and keep your mouth open! Of course, this may cause a black eye, when your significant other slugs you, because you are snoring very loudly!
So, now with the cold sore somewhat under control, I am wondering whether or not the fatigue, headache and overall crappy feeling is related to the cold sore or to the smoke from the fires, or just some other bug. I am not sure, but I do know that my inadequate immune system is getting a work out.

I consider sharing this info as a prayer request, not another complaint!

So with that behind me, I will share a short video of what traipsed through our yard a few nights ago; I was sitting on the porch swing when I began to hear the baby elk making noise. I looked over to where the sound came from and I was astounded! There were approximately 150 elk making their way right into our front yard. This parade continued for several hours. I must say that the nightly appearance of these creatures certainly brighten my day!

Also, I am still taking cold sore advice....




Saturday, August 25, 2012

Still Not a Happy Day; Singing the Cold Sore Blues!

I know; Gross!!

How is it, that I a drug that you take (Sprycel), to keep you alive can cause so many miserable side effects? I suppose that this is true with many, many drugs, such as the crippling antibiotic Cipro, Levaquinn and Avelox, but really; if you have no choice but to take the drug to stay alive, then my wish is that the all-powerful “they” will someday come up with a way to make these drugs less dangerous, with fewer side effects.

I suppose that my marvel of the day is this; just how does one cold sore, on my lip, hurt so damn bad. I mean it really, really hurts; morning, noon and night. It has kept me awake for three nights now. Last night I determined that even the air was causing pain, so I was able to get momentary relief from coating it with Neosporin; today I am going to buy some really thick, gooey Vaseline to coat it with.

My doctor has prescribed Acyclovir which is supposed to help, but right now I feel like ripping my lip right off of my face! The only way that I can describe what it feels like is about a dimes’ sized sore that has nothing but open, raw nerves, and someone, or something is constantly pouring straight alcohol on them! It is crazy how something so small can cause such grief?

So, anyone out there with any tips or advice on how to suffer through this; please let me know!

Hopefully tomorrow will be a complain-free day!

Friday, August 24, 2012

Leukemia, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy and Pneumonia: Some Days I Just Get Mad!


Most days are good days, but some days I just cannot help, but to be mad. This morning I found out that my Bcr-Abl count has raised, “just a bit” for the third time in a row. For someone with CML, this is never “good” news. It basically means that instead of lowering my “make me feel crappy” medication, I will have to increase it; with hopes that it will start to decrease my Bcr-Abl, again. If it does not….well…I won’t think about that today….

Helping to keep my mind off of my own health issues, I just found out that my poor, dear, sweet mother has been hospitalized, yet again, with pneumonia. I swear that that woman NEVER gets a break! My heart just crumbles when I think of all that she has endured for the past 17 years. (my honest to goodness belief is that all of her troubles all began, with the many doses of floroquinolones; Cipro and Levaquinn that she has been given) Please send many prayers her way.

If that is not enough to keep my mind occupied, then I can throw my sister’s Multiple Sclerosis into the mix. She has been suffering for years and finally received a diagnosis of MS, just recently. She is three years younger than I am, and yes, my heart breaks for her, too. Just yesterday she had to call 911 to escort her home because her vision became so impaired, while she was driving, that she could no longer see well enough to continue to drive herself home. Her life has just been the pits, for longer than I care to think about. Prayers for her too, please.

And of course, on days like these, my beautiful, loving niece is in my constant thoughts and prayers, as well. Just when I am feeling sorry for myself, my sister and my mother, she comes to my mind. This little angel has Cerebral Palsy; my daily struggles pale, in comparison to hers. Fortunately, she is blessed to have parents that love and care for her, in ways that many of us will never know; in that regard, she is a very lucky little girl, however, I am adding her to my “really mad” about life day. Sometimes life can just seem so overwhelming and unfair.

So, for all of the reason above, I am having a very bad, very mad, kind of day! 

Bricks for the Brave!!