Tortilla Soup

There is nothing better guaranteed to produce an appetite in me more than my sister Jane's Tortilla Soup.  I can smell the aromatics even back here in my bedroom.  She makes machaca chicken first, and then at the last moment assembles the actual soup.  It's an all-day venture, very soulful and full of love.   The link up at machaca is actually a recipe for machaca beef, but Jane's is similar for chicken.


I wonder why I always get bone pain with chemo?  I took a Naprosyn, and that took the edge off it.  It makes walking very uncomfortable, but I don't want to become a lump, either.  Happily, I have no symptoms of Hand-Foot Syndrome as yet, nor do I have the warned about Diarrhea. I do have the beginnings of one mouth sore, but even that's feeling alright at the moment.  I wonder how it will enjoy Tortilla Soup? :D


Yesterday I asked for something I normally NEVER want:  I wanted a slice of a very decadent chocolate cake.  Of course, Jane went right out and found me one from AJ's.  I only have a couple of bites of it at a time, so this could last for a week. :D  And it is OH so decadent, rich, moist, bringing great happiness to my taster.


So, for the week upcoming, I have to do the eight Xeloda pills until Monday, and then Tuesday, I only take the four with breakfast, then I get a week off.  But Monday the 1st of August, I have to go get my labs done, and Tuesday the 2nd of August it's back to Ironwood for my next infusion of Camptosar again and more than likely, a shot of Aranesp, which is the one I had to sign paperwork to acknowledge that they had warned me of all the risks.  Well, duh.  I die if I don't get it, pretty much, so if it kills me... c'est la vie.


Anywho, next week should be a piece of cake... hmmm... ummmm... cake.  Stop that!  So, I shall rest up and get my strength back so that I can go into round two of this regimen able to deal with the side effects. 


Love to all, hugs, kisses and stay healthy!

Tortilla Soup, Bone Pain and See's Candy

It was another sunny, beautiful day here in paradise.  Got up early, got lots done for work, then headed out to get my Neulasta shot.  One of the nurses asked me if this was my first one, and when I replied in the affirmative, she pointed to her colleague and said, "well, it's her first time giving one!"


And she did a fantastic job.  Barely felt the needle going in, and she injected it very slowly and smoothly to try to mitigate the fact that it can sting quite a bit.  The effects of yesterday's chemo session were not horrible, but as the day progressed, I was feeling alternately hot and cold, and a bit achy.  Now I can feel the effects of the shot, as my bones are ... ouchy.


But, Jane made me Chicken Tortilla soup for dinner, and my oldest sister, Cee and her husband Bud had sent me a big box of dark chocolate See's Candy.  Both of these edible miracles helped to cancel quite a bit of the discomfort of the day.


Still, I'm exhausted, so I think I'll have a very early night.  And may all of you out there in Blog Land have sweet dreams.

Curative Powers of Tortilla Soup

Happy Monday Morning.  I'm thrilled we had trick-or-treaters last night!  I didn't get to see or interact, because I have to avoid children, but my sisters said we had more this year than we have ever had.

Jane made an awesome batch of Chicken Tortilla Soup for dinner last night, and I had a nice-sized bowl.  It may not be physically curative, but it sure does make me FEEL better. I just checked my weight, and decided I'd better go swill another Ensure. :P

My Glucerna should be here today.  I ordered a case from amazon.com, because the price was right, and no shipping or taxes to pay.  Although, if it's considered a food item, it's not taxed, yet, I think.  But it might be considered a dietary supplement.  I don't know.

Oh yes, just one chemo round in, and um.... I do have some side effects.  Let's just not go into what they are.  Ugh, my tummy.  The onc nurse told me to make sure I drank lots of fluids to get the chemo to process out as quickly as possible, and so drinking I am.

It's weird not being at work, virtually.  I did call my minion, Travis, who is now taking up my slack.  He's fantastic; very adaptable, very smart, and gives me great tips on video games to try.

I think I'm going to go lie down for a bit.  Later!