If you’re taking the time to READ this right now, I just want you to know that…
Most people at this time are starting to gear up for Christmas and some are literally going crazy with the amount of work that is involved. Especially people who work full time. How are you going to do it all? Crazy part, you always figure it out. Every year. This December is quite different for myself. No traditional mother/daughter Black Friday shopping was done which was sad to say the least so most everything was done online. Which, can I just say is almost as crazy as the malls! You ever done a Surprise sale? Yeah, they can be amazing but very anxiety filled and not sure if it’s worth it. The other thing though that makes me so incredibly happy is the fact that I have not been in the Hospital as a patient for three weeks. We are doing everything we can to keep me healthy, mentally stable, happy and physically active as possible. It’s the best I have felt in a long time. Now when I talk like this…please don’t mistake it for my life changing from the last BLOG you read. Everything there still applies but I am doing a variety of daily activities to see what works and what doesn’t. Such as: waking up earlier which feels amazing; getting out of my pj’s and actually putting on clothes; applying makeup and doing my hair just to feel good; drinking more water; finding more hobbies that make me happy and keep me busy. etc… The trick is, you have to find out what works for you.
3 Ways of Losing Weight: Anorexia. Bulimia. CANCER.
None of these are recommended obviously. If you remember back to Bye Bye Hair, I spoke of having my head shaved within 2 weeks since my hair had already started falling out. Something completely out of my control. Now all cancers are different. You’re going to go through different types of treatment, medications, tests, etc…Unfortunately, with blood cancers a huge side effect is losing weight uncontrollably. Before I got sick, I was in the best shape of my life. At 5’1, I worked out 4-6 days a week and weighed in at 115. Couldn’t have been happier. Since the transplant, my weight has fluctuated constantly. Mainly I’m largely underweight. Clearly my height hasn’t changed but my weight…mostly anywhere between 95-100 pounds. I HATE IT!!! Appetite has been an issue in the past along with nausea and vomiting but no longer. (Thanks to the wonderful STEROID OIL Dr. Patel prescribed for that problem.) Yes. I’m still taking steroids and do still possess roid rage from time to time. But at least I can eat! Now, I am a human garbage disposal. Here are some of my favorite snacks that I eat on a daily basis…
OMG! If you have not tried these yet, go buy some right now. I’m addicted. |
The funniest thing, I would never have dreamed of eating stuff like this on a regular basis in the past. But it’s Dr. approved and when other things taste like cardboard, you do what you gotta do. It is such a struggle for us going through this. I feel at times I look like Skeletor. At one point, my husband could actually wrap his hand around one of my thighs. Gross. My weight lately has been at a steady 98ish. I will jump for joy the day I see 112 on the scale. I’m working on it! Please understand if you suffer from any of these illnesses, I am not taking any kind of jabs at you. This is my story and I’m sure there are plenty of cancer patients that can relate.
That’s what I’m talking about. Is that Michele Kardashian?? Lol. (Photo credit: Steve Stonebraker & his team) |
5-YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY – 12/12/14
That’s right. Scott Mann and I are celebrating this joyous occasion this week. It was like an act of Congress to get Dr. K just to agree to a nice dinner out. In the previous blog, PLEASE Don’t Kill Me, everything still stands with my house arrest and not being able to lead a ‘normal go anywhere kind of lifestyle’, and my interactions with people. I can not tell you how very excited I am to get dressed up to the max for myself and Scott. Not to mention to go to an actual lovely restaurant on Park Ave and enjoy the evening, just the two of us. Oh, well, I did forget a third very important element that will be with us. My mask that I have to wear 24/7 minus when I’m chewing food. Let’s not forget my non-existent immune system right now. Always play it safe.
This year has been the hardest of our lives together, but it has showed me even more so how very much my husband loves me. He is such a good ‘Mann’ in all aspects of his life that sometimes it blows me away. Now…no one is perfect so that’s certainly not what I’m saying 😉 I am saying that he is my soul mate, my other half, and my best friend. There’s no better feeling knowing you married the person you were mean’t to spend the rest of your life with. This year has only made us and our relationship stronger. ‘Fight or Flight’. We’re both fighters and this thing will not win. Here are just a few of my favorite images from our 12/12/09 Wedding at the Shores Resort in Daytona.
Photo Credit: Djamel Ramoul Photography
Bonnie Dutka says
Happy Anniversary you two! Love you and your wedding pics 😉 xoxo
Priscilla says
Hello Michele I think about you every so often. I am always thankful for the beautiful makeup job you did at my wedding. You were so sweet and talented. I didn't know you got married at the Shores too. You are in my thoughts and prayers. You are a beautiful woman inside and out – Priscilla