Hiiiiii!!!!! I'm back everyone! Miss me??! I know you all did!!
I am currently writing this post from the cottage - I'm in my pjs, curled up in a mukoka chair on the screened in porch with a blanket and a green tea (with lemon!) in hand. Oh, I also have a spectacular view of Lake Joseph. Sounds nice doesn't it?? It is. For those of you who have never experienced Muskoka, you're missing out. It's magical. I'm enjoying Muskoka until Sept. 11th. How sweet it is.
I'm sorry I missed last month's post. I know, I know this is long overdue. The truth is I've been crazy busy. As most of you know I recently got a golden retriever puppy, Ryder. He's like a 12 month old baby, I've got to watch him 24/7. When he naps, I nap. I'm up at 6:30-7pm, he plays, sleeps, plays, sleeps...and that's pretty much his schedule until he goes to bed at 10:30pm. I'm constantly following him around to make sure he doesn't chew, eat, anything he's not supposed to. He's absolutely adorable though. He loves to play! He was finally allowed outside just last Wednesday, so he's had so many new things to experience in a short time. He's finally adjusted to the cottage and all the visitors coming and going. He's been on the boat, in the water...it's a lot for a little puppy!! So Ryder has been keeping me from my blog!
Last month's cycle went fine. I was on chemo and adjusting to having Ryder around, so I was a bit more tired than usual. My oncologist decided to wein me off dilatin. My dilatin levels have been low (below therapetic range) since January. So finally they decided it wasn't working, and I should stop taking it. My oncologist was also pretty casual about the possibility of me having another seizure: "Oh, don't worry Sarah, if you have another seizure, I'll put you on something else." Ummm, k, great??!! Thanks so much??...I guess?! Easy for him to say. Coming off Dilatin also means I'm going to have to wait until December before I can drive. A full year. My oncologist wants to make sure that I'm stable and seziure free off dilatin. Here's the thing though: Dilatin was never working in the first place, my levels were always well below therapetic range. So I've been seizure-free (knock on my wood) without Dilatin for a looooooonnnnggg time now. Are you all seeing where I'm going with this?
I'm starting cycle 8 tonight. Nothing new to report. My blood counts last month dropped a bit (nothing serious, and not enough to delay a cycle), probably due to my cottage diet and lack of exercise :D :D. But my counts yesterday have rebounded. So all is well. I think my appointment lasted 30 seconds? And I've learned that that's a good thing.
Alright, well the sun has decided to join us, so I have a hot date with the dock. Ahhh cottage living. Sorry to those of you stuck in the city. That sucks. I'm off for a swim, hopefully the lake doesn't claim any more of my stuff!!
