Saturday, September 17, 2011

Random

Today was a good day. I just kinda lounged around. My grandma came for a visit, which was nice (I helped her set up her Light the Night page and sent emails to her friends for contributions which you all should go do to!!!!!) Then I got to get out of the house to go for a drive up to school to pick up my brother and sister. (I got to drive :p) My road test in order for me to get my license is on Monday and I need all of the practice I can get! My mom's friend was also kind enough to send us dinner from her restaurant which was delicious (thanks Wendy!)


Random thoughts: It still kinda surprises me how nice people are once they learn you have cancer. I know it sounds a little cynical, but I've found that people are so willing to do really anything I ask of them :) It's not like I try to take advantage of it or anything though. I just think it's kinda funny. I honestly honestly honestly am extremely appreciative and I know people just want to do whatever they can to help.

None the less, here are some examples of what I call 'perks of cancer'

  • People bring you candy
  • People bring you magazines/books/entertainment/other presents
  • People (mostly mom) prepares and brings food to me (sometimes even in bed)
  • People don't call you lazy for staying in bed and watching movies all day
  • People are much more understanding when you tell them that you're too tired to do something
  • Volunteers at the hospital walk around all day with free food and sometimes tickets to free events (They're sending me, my mom and my sister on a spa day on Sunday :)
  • People always ask how you are and seem to genuinely care
  • People are just SUPER NICE
Now I'm really not complaining about any of this and I am nothing but grateful to everyone who has tried to make this easier for me. I'd just like to point out that it would be so cool if everyone treated everyone else the way that people have been treating me. Think about a world where everyone walked around treating others with the kindness that they would treat a cancer patient. Hahaha people should do that! :) ok, ok, I know it's slightly idealistic but I just think it would be cool :)


Ok, now some examples of why cancer sucks (haha you knew they had to be coming)

  • There a million things I'm not allowed to eat including; fresh fruits and veggies, sushi, even just slightly undercooked meat, anything that's been sitting out for too long (especially dairy products), leftovers that have been in the fridge for more than 24 hours
  • I'm also not allowed to eat restaurant food unless I see my food go from being made, to the oven, to the plate (aka I need to know that it was freshly made (not sitting around waiting to be re-heated) and that no bacteria touched it). 
  • I can't have deli meats or baked goods from bakeries because I don't know how long they've been sitting out.
  • I pretty much also avoid restaurants because I'm not allowed to be around that many people and because the bacteria risk is too great when I don't know where my food is coming from
  • We already know I can't go to school because of all the bacteria risk but I also can't go to the movies or really any crowded, confined places in general. (Technically, I'm not really supposed to be in a room with more than 3 or 4 people at a time)
  • Note: these are all things that I'm not allowed to do when I'm what's called neutropenic which means my white blood cells are down and my body isn't strong enough to fight off normal, every day infections. You guessed it! I am neutropenic and the doctors say I should stay that way for a good month or two. It's been about 2 and a half weeks, so I've got a little ways to go.


Anywho, tomorrow should be a pretty chill day as well. Two of my friends are coming to mi casa later on in the day to make (and eat) dinner with me seeing as I obviously can't go out :). I'm super duper excited because if there's nothing these steroids make me love more than food it's human interaction :D hahaha!! 

Please leave comments and ask more questions so I can blog about more things!
Love always, 
Ella <3

4 comments:

  1. Glad to hear you're doing well, I've been following the blog :)

    (Oh side note i appreciate how often you update this thing... a lot of blog-type things i follow i check back and nothings changes and im like SRSLY...?)

    Do you feel physically sick other than being tired? Or is it all an internal thing?

    How did your siblings and friends react when they heard?

    Did you do any sports previously and are you not allowed to do them anymore?

    Are your siblings' lives any different now, and how?

    When you basically stay home all day, are you bored? Does someone stay home with you (parents missing work?) or are you by yourself?

    Is the no-bacteria thing because your cancer is weakening your immune system, or is it the treatment that makes you more sensitive?

    Do you and Maia still share a room?

    Had you already started school when you found out you had cancer, or when you had to start missing school?

    I ask these questions because I'm genuinely interested - as always, don't answer any if you don't feel comfortable, but I would be interested to know the answers if you got to them at some point. Keep updating, keep staying strong, keep hanging in there!!! We're all rooting for ya :)

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  2. Good questions. Very good (and honest!) answers. Thanks Ella. Love you.

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  3. Hi Ella it's your cousins Shira and Reuven- we are in Israel now. We are sad that we are not able to be there with you in person but we want you to know that our hearts are with you all the time. We are so amazed and inspired by your positive attitude and tremendous strength. Your ability to maintain such an optimistic (and even humorous) approach to your situation is very admirable. We hope to go to the Western Wall this week to pray for you there. We love you so much and feel so lucky to be related to you :)

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  4. Hi Shira and Reuven! I'm so happy to hear that you're reading my blog! Thank you so much for your kind words and warm wishes and prayers :) It really means a lot! I Hope you're enjoying your time in Israel
    Love you too!
    Ella <3

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