Home Sweet Home

Yes, that’s right…I’m finally home, again; I've been home for a week, now!! Thank God!!

And, boy, do I have a blog for you, today!

After surgery, I rehabbed at a place called Pebble Creek, in Akron; it’s only about a 20 minute drive from my sister’s house. I wanted to go back to Edwin Shaw, which is where I rehabbed, last year; but, my insurance company wouldn't cover it. They gave me a ton of grief over a few things, while I was recovering from surgery! I’m seriously considering switching insurance companies (on the Medicaid program, you have the luxury of switching insurance companies)!!

While I was at Pebble Creek, I developed a few health concerns…I spent the better part of those 2 months throwing everything up, having hot flashes, and going through major panic attacks; all of which the house doctor medicated me for, without running any tests to find out why I was experiencing these issues. I kept telling everyone I've never had these issues, before, and it wasn't what it looked like, but (of course) no one would listen. I've never experienced anything like that, before, so I knew something was a bit off…but, since no one would listen to me, nothing was done about it.

I also came down with pneumonia, while I was at Pebble Creek…pneumonia!!! I've never, in all my 40+ years, have ever had to deal with pneumonia; I was only in the hospital for that, for a week, but still!!! And, I’m still recovering from it, too…my lungs aren't quite as strong, now, as they were, before; my sister said the best respiratory therapy for me would be to sing. And, since I like music so much, it’ll be the most fun way to build my lungs back up, too! LOL!!

Now that I’m back home, I've been set up with a Nurse, a Physical Therapist, and an Occupational Therapist, for home care. And, I've got a walker, for around the house; and a wheelchair for shopping, and errands. Every once in a while, I dare the devil and walk a short distance without my walker, but that’s incredibly difficult to do, at this time! My PT says we’re going to have to work a lot on building strength in my legs, so I’m not leaning on my walker so much, when I use it.

Hopefully, I won’t need to use the walker, or the wheelchair, for much longer!

My appetite is getting better, too…slowly. The food at Pebble Creek was atrocious!!  Every meal they made for us was cooked; they hardly gave us any fresh fruits and veggies, at all! And it was all cooked WAY too much…tasteless, soggy, and inedible. It’s no wonder I spent all that time throwing up!

My sister’s been feeding me lots of raw foods (fresh fruits and veggies), and I have eaten a few cooked things; although, the cooked things at home are still making my stomach turn, from time to time. My sister says it’s because my brain has been trained to think that cooked food is gross, because of the two months I spent throwing up at Pebble Creek. I’ll reprogram it, soon!

Oh, and my insurance company! Not only would they not pay for MY choice of rehab facility, they made a decision to discontinue covering my pain medications, after I got back from having pneumonia. See…I was at Pebble Creek, then went to the hospital with pneumonia, then I went back to Pebble Creek. When I got back, my insurance company refused to cover most of my medications; the in-house doctor fought hard for me, too…he convinced them that I NEEDED those medications, and they gave in. Can you blame me for wanting to switch companies??

The plus side of the time I spent at Pebble Creek, is that because I spent all that time throwing up, I actually lost 20 lbs! Not that I would've wanted to lose weight that way, but I can work with it!! LOL!!

Now that I've been home, for a week, I’m slowly getting stronger in a lot of areas; the carpet is difficult to walk on, with my walker, but that’s helping me build up my strength. And, last night, I actually slept in my own bed!! I've been “living in” the recliner, since coming home, because my back still isn't too keen on laying down. But, I positioned my bed so that the head was elevated a little, and slept the whole night! I wasn't going to bother with it, but God spoke to my heart, and encouraged me to try…I’m glad I listened!! LOL!!

And, I've begun another round of chemo…yesterday was my first dose; this time I’m being given Ixempra. I don’t know how long I’ll be doing this round, or what it’s going to do to me, but I should be hearing my doctor tell me “It’s gone!”, early next year!! I’m excited about that!!

Not too thrilled to be doing this, again...but it beats the heck out of dying!!

I also told my Oncologist I was going to wait to move to Knoxville, TN because I wanted to be cancer free when I get down there; that way my new medical team will only have to help me stay healthy, rather than help me fight the disease. He said he liked that idea! Of course, the actual timing of my move is all up to God…I’ll go, when HE says it’s time.

Well, I do hope you have a fantastic day, today! Thanks for keeping up with me! God bless you! oxoxox