It's been a rough day, I feel like I'm struggling to get by. My head is pounding and I'm agitated. I made it through the day, but seem to have fallen apart once I got home. I'm scared. This anemia bout has me worried. I'm trying to increase my iron and B12 intake to compensate for the low levels. I know it's going to be a while before I get better, but I just want the side effects to subside.

I had a good day. Started out with breakfast with Mom and Dad, and Dave and Mary. Two eggs over easy, french toast, bacon, and coffee. Then Mom, Dad, and I went to the Lake View Mall in Kenosha, I wanted to spend hundreds of dollars, but limited my purchases to a pair of sandals and a jacket. I want to go back to get a sweater I liked at the Calvin Klein store. Maybe in a week or two. If it's there, I'll buy it then, otherwise oh well. I came home and have been reading and watching tornado intercept shows. It's been a good day.

Last night was a restless, anxious night for me. I was agitated by the day's events. I finally fell asleep around 11:00pm into a nice, peaceful sleep. I awoke this morning feeling relaxed and renewed. I did something I haven't done in months, weeks, days. I exercised. Push ups, sit ups, jumping jacks, and a short bike ride. It felt wonderful, I didn't push myself, but actually got myself working out. I had some breakfast, showered, and went out to the book store. Going to just lay low and rest this weekend, shake off the remnants of yesterday. My arm is bruised and sore from the IV that I inadvertantly pulled out yesterday while twisting my body in the uncomfortable hospital bed. It was comical and frightening, the IV flying and blood soaking my gown. The nurse came and cleaned it all up. My trip to the emergency room was interesting, scary, unnerving, and relieving. I hope these moments are few and far between.

I never got to Janet's. While packing up the Jeep, I got light-headed, dizzy, and an intense throbbing headache in the back of my skull. I came up to the apartment, sat down and felt worse, broke out into a sweat. I became scared, called the doctor and ended up going to the emergency room. Luckily, there's no bleeding out or a clot in the brain, but I am severely anemic, my body is not producing blood products, so I am facing more transfusions. Unfortunately, there will be no camping, and I will be resting at home. Will it ever end?

Heading out to pick up Janet and venture to Collins Park in Rosholt WI for the Klugiewicz Family Campout. Last year I had to miss out because I started my chemotherapy that same weekend. I'm excited to be going this year. I'm all packed and ready to go. I'll post when I return on Sunday. Enjoy your weekend! Oh, I had my blood tested and my PT/INR is at 2.5, therapeutic. I don't have to get my blood tested again for another few weeks!

Another early morning post. I'm at my desk, ready to start my day. I have a ton of things to do tonight after work, laundry, packing mostly. I'm so unprepared for camping this weekend. Excited too. Had my blood drawn yesterday, hopefully the thinners are still thinning and I won't have to test every week at this point. I'm watching out the window, waiting for the rain and thunder. waiting. I'm sure it'll storm this weekend in Stevens Point!

Early Tuesday morning, just staring out the window, from my desk. Summer is flying by. Had dinner by Mom and Dad's last night with Michael and Scott. Awesome shredded beef sandwiches, corn on the cob, roasted potatos, and fresh green beans. I enjoyed it very much. Went home, read, watched some TV. Tonight I will do some laundry and some shopping in anticipation of camping this weekend up in Stevens Point. Well, back to work for now.

The Brewers won!!! 7-5 against the San Francisco Giants. My voice is hoarse from yelling. I got a kick out of the pyrotechnics after each home run (two of them) and at the end of the game. Tailgating was fun, loads of great food. I am wiped out, been going since 7:00am. Heading to the couch to rest for the evening.

What a beautiful day for a walk and for shopping. Went down by the lake and wandered the bike trail for about an hour this morning. Got in the car and drove to the store and bought fruit for tailgating tomorrow. Instead of putting it into a large bowl, I have packed individual baggies for convenience. Tonight I plan on reading and watching TV, looking forward to the Brewer's game. Early start, meeting Steve and Tracy at 9:30am, and everyone else by 10:00am. Collectively there's 40 people going to the game. I got hot dogs, fruit, m&m's, and Lost Dysfunctional energy drink to drag with me. I'm sure it'll be a blast.

Another weekend is here. I plan on running around tomorrow, going to construct a fruit salad to take to the tailgate party on Sunday for the Brewers game. Tonight I stopped at KFC and tried the boneless teriyaki chicken wings, they were all right, the mashed potatos rocked. There's an America's Next Top Model marathon on TV and of course I have to watch it. I am such a dork.

My PT/INR level is at 2.2, which is therapeutic. Now I must maintain. Call me insane, but I went book shopping and found a new series called The Kingdom Keepers. The author is Ridley Pearson, who co-wrote the Peter Pan novels with Dave Barry. Taken from his website: 'In this fantastical thriller, five young teens tapped as models for theme park "guides" find themselves pitted against Disney villains and witches that threaten both the future of Walt Disney World and the stability of the world outside its walls.Using a cutting-edge technology called DHI—which stands for both Disney Host Interactive and Daylight Hologram Imaging—Finn Whitman, an Orlando teen, and four other kids are transformed into hologram projections that guide guests through the park.The new technology turns out, however, to have unexpected effects that are both thrilling and scary. Soon Finn finds himself transported in his DHI form into the Magic Kingdom at night. Is it real? Is he dreaming?Finn's confusion only increases when he encounters Wayne, an elderly Imagineer who tells him that the park is in grave danger. Led by the scheming witch Maleficent, a mysterious group of characters called the Overtakers is plotting to destroy Disney's beloved realm, and maybe more.This gripping high-tech tale will thrill every kid who has ever dreamed of sneaking into Walt Disney World after hours, and wondered what happens at night, when the park is closed.' A MUST READ!!!

Still waiting to hear from the doctor about my latest PT/INR level. Guess I'll be calling the office tomorrow. Went grocery shopping, did two loads of laundry, and now watching some TV.

I went to the website www.simpsonizeme.com and became a Simpsons character!!!

Another busy weekend. Got to Bastille Days, ate at the Hollander Cafe (Dutch food), shopping, McDonalds, got refills on Coumadin, lounged, read, watched TV. Summer is going fast, got to enjoy the days.

No more injections! I like that. My PT/INR is in therapeutic range so I do not have to give myself Lovenox shots. I will have my blood drawn again on Monday to check the levels again. It is the weekend, time for rest and play, and I plan on doing just that.

My PT/INR is currently at 2.7!!! I have finally gotten to therapeutic levels for the first time in two months!!! The doctor had me get my blood drawn again this morning to see where I am at so he can adjust the medications accordingly. (cross the fingers, NO MORE INJECTIONS!!!!)

Tonight I plan on shaving. Since I got my haircut (Thanks Kim!), I figure I should clean myself up. This morning I got into my car and got tangled up in a spider web. A little spider had spun one from the rear view mirror to the steering wheel and the gear shift. I had to clear it out and find the spider, which was hanging from the mirror. I had to chuckle about it. I stopped and got my blood drawn after work, so I shall find out my PT/INR tomorrow. I scheduled my scans for August 6th. Now I'm going to forage for something to eat.

Another hot steamy day. I have won the battle with the yellow jackets building a nest in my front window. A few days of spraying the nest and window frame and they are eradicated. Now to clean up the window sill and get the window closed. Feeling pretty good, tomorrow I'll get my blood checked. The oncology clinic called to schedule CT and Pet scans for early August. I'll arrange that in the morning. Tonight if the weather holds, I'm going to run out by Kim. Otherwise tomorrow for sure, I could go swimming. Sounds like a good idea.

It's been a hot couple of days, been doing fine. Rain rushed through earlier, but now it's getting steamy again. I don't mind having to give myself injections, but will be glad when I don't have to anymore. I'll have my blood checked on Wednesday.

It's early Saturday morning and the humidity is high, the temperature warm, going to be a glorious Summer day. My PT/INR is up to 1.5, the Lovenox injections seem to be working. Once I get over 2.0 I will be able to stop the injections. I am now taking 15mg Coumadin daily also. Since it is the weekend, I plan on getting outside and wander about, I wonder what adventures await me.

Just got back from Summerfest with Jody. We went down right after work tonight. It rained when we got there, so we bought ponchos. Of course the rain stopped the sun came out and it got very muggy. I had to give myself a Lovenox injection while I was there, so I stopped at the first aid station and they were very accomodating. Much better than trying to give myself the shot in the public restroom. We saw a couple of bands, ate some food, and people watched. I had a really good time. In the morning I have to get my blood checked, hopefully the PT/INR level has risen to therapeutic levels. Keep your fingers crossed.

Well, Dad and I withstood the wind, rain, lightning, and thunder. We watched the entire fireworks display. We had met Kim, Scott, Sarah, and Nicholas down by the Veterans Memorial about 7:00pm. First it started raining lightly, then increased in intensity, followed by lightning, thunder. The park started emptying out, many people leaving. We hunkered down under umbrellas and waited. For a few moments, we wondered if they fireworks would be cancelled. The show began at 9:30pm as scheduled. The wind and rain kicked up for awhile but the fireworks continued. At one point fireworks were bursting in the sky as lightning was flashing out over the lake. It was beautiful. The show lasted about an hour. I had a really nice time, and since the crowd had thinned out, had an easy time getting out of the parking lot onto the freeway and home. Happy Fourth of July! Enjoy the holiday.

It's been one year since I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. What a rough year it's been. Even with the chemotherapy, radiation, transfusions, injections, thousands of blood draws, I stand. It's a bittersweet moment, looking back and actually cringing at what I've endured, looking forward to all that I want to accomplish. I went to the fireworks last year as someone who wouldn't let cancer stop me from doing what I love to do, and I go tonight as a cancer survivor doing what I love to do.

All of a sudden, it is July. I've seen fireworks, been to parades, gotten sun burnt, rode my bike, been to cook outs, spent time with family and friends, it's all good.