Rainy day in many ways

Yes, it is raining in here today.
And Regina is under the bad weather. Last night she fell asleep around 12 at night. Then she woke up every hour and when it was time to wake up around 9 am this morning , she was tired and whiny and did not want to wake up.

Today she had labs drawn and her counts dont look to good. her ANC was 200 her platelets 2700 - which means she is receiving platelets right now. And her hemoglobin is slowly going down also. She is not very active and all she wants to do is sleep. She tells me that she is cold( our heater was set max) . We where drippin' wet and she was chillin' cold. Warm blankets dont help much. She gets antibiotics for her little boo-boo that looks red and does not want to heal( on her arm).

It is 2 pm now. I stay to Target house until 3 , because I have to wait after Liberty Mutual guy who will check the damages on my car. Then I go back to hospital. Until then I send my best thought to St Jude and hope that Regina does not catch fever tonight.

About me

I woke up this morning with strong need to write something. But I really was not sure what . SO I finally decided that I tell you more about myself.

Hi!!! My name is Diana. In St Jude people often ask me where am I from. So I tell them I am from Ca. "Oh, I see, but you have accent???" Well, I am really from Estonia and I Was born to speak Estonian( not Russian, Estonia and Russia have love/hate relationship- dont ask more questions).

Oh, but where is Estonia?? , they ask.

I say you know where is Finland?? Do you know where is Latvia, Lituhania, Baltic sea?? Estonia is somewhere there.
"ok" , they say, and wonder away.

In year 1997 , 11 November I met my Husband Nick. I was 19 year old and had no plans getting married in near future. I was with my co-workers and we where having fun . The place where we had fun was middle of nowhere. lol Middle of open water. We met on a board of cruise ship Regina Baltica.( Yes our daughter is named after the ship). He was on his way back to Sweden and I was on my way to Sweden also but with work issues.

He asked me to dance, and we had fun . I asked his phone number. Called him after 2-3 days I think, ( did I really do that????).
Then In december he sent me ticets to visit him in sweden. I WENT TO SWEDEN !!!! I stayed for a while.

Then In february I went to sweden again . And big things started to happen. One morning when I was ready to go back to Estonia he handed me envelope. I had no idea what the envelope was hidden inside.

I opened it up and it included 2 ticets to LONDON!!!!! He remembered . I told him that I wanted to go to London. It was my dream destination. At a time I was obsessed with Princess Diana and I wanted to see the country she lived.
London was beautiful.

BUT on our way to England , Nick did something. He pulled out little box. I had feeling this might happen. We where in the airplane and he PROPOSED!!!!! At that point we had lived together only for 2 weeks. GRAZY!!!

I sayed YES. I was 19 and I sayed yes. What was wrong with me.????

In 1998 March he moved to USA. I stayed to Estonia. Then in 1st of June I moved to USA also. ( New Jearsey).

12.28.1998 we got married. We flew to Las Vegas and got married in Excalibur hotel chapel. It was just 2 of us.

9 Months after we got married Regina was born, then we moved to CA. Then june 22, 2001 Gabriel was intorduced to this world.
And that all it is. THE TANS.
Nick is 12 years older than me. ( but he behaves like he is 12 years younger) MEN!!!!!

Before we came to ST Jude I was full time collage student.
I started up studing nutrition but I changed my major to culinary arts. Cooking is my passion. I love cooking.
My specialty is rosemary/ carlic roasted leg of lamb or ribs. One day I hope to open my own little place. ( I DREAM about it ).
I olso love eating and since I do love to eat a lot I work out a lot. My favorite cardio workout is biking. In good days I bike about 30 miles( 35 minutes)

I love dancing- more clubbing. I love trance, dance, hip-hop rock, hip-hop, euro dance. My favorite coctail is Cosmopolitan. I love zinfandel ( red).

I do a lot of scrapbooking( now I have about 9 scrapbooks). I love taking photos and working with photos....

....

Geting ready for Thankgiving!!!

About Thanksgiving!!!
http://wilstar.com/holidays/thanksgv.htm


Some EASY recipes
Creamy Ginger Pumpkin Pie
Recipe courtesy of Andy King

2 15-ounce cans pumpkin pie mix 1 container Cool Whip Light 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 eggs 1 graham cracker crust
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Follow mixing directions as instructed on the can of pumpkin pie mix. Blend in 3/4 Cool Whip in lieu of milk and fold in ginger. Puree in the blender and pour into graham cracker crust. Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees, and bake for an additional 40-50 minutes. Let cool and garnish with Cool Whip and/or pumpkin seeds


Chive and Garlic Mashed potatoes

to 6 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 cup heavy cream 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter 4 cloves garlic, lightly crushed 3 sprigs fresh thyme 2 tablespoons chopped chives
Put the cut potatoes into a large pot, cover them with cold water, and add a large pinch of salt. Bring to a boil and simmer until the potatoes are fork tender, about 20 to 30 minutes. Drain well. Meanwhile, in a small pot heat the cream, butter, garlic, and thyme. While the potatoes are still warm, press them through a potato ricer or food mill into a bowl. Stir in the warm cream a bit at a time, straining out the solids, until the potatoes are fluffy. Season with salt and pepper and gently fold in the chives. Serve immediately.
Other Recipes from this Episode
Citrus-Marinated Grilled Turkey
Green Bean Casserole
Turkey Gravy
Cranberry-Orange Sauce
Sweet Potato Pie with Crunchy Cranberry Topping


Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes

3 pounds Idaho potatoes, peeled and cubed 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 3/4 cup heavy cream, plus more if needed 3/4 pound shredded smoked Gouda Salt and freshly ground white pepper
Place potatoes and 1 teaspoon of salt in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook over medium heat until fork tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain.
Return the potatoes to the saucepan and add the butter, cream, and cheese. Mash the potatoes, stirring to incorporate the seasonings. Season with salt and freshly ground white pepper. Serve warm.

OUR ADDRESS

2 very important B clinic ladys and regina.

Reginas new career

FOR CAROL!!

Thank you!! Regina is giving us the best manicures now!! Our nails are pretty and pink!! :)




Regina had great day. She was such a little chatterbox today. Very active chatterbox. I think nobody ever heard her talking that much at once. She sure made miss Keidy and Renee to laugh by telling them how to make turkey and spiders. ;lol

For CAROL!!!

Hurray for Regina!!!

3 doses down , one to go!!! Wohooo!! She did awsome during her third round. Chemo affected her little this time. ANd she even did not throw up when she got her stem cells back!!!! YEY!!. We got out of the hospital around 6.30. We where supposed to get discharged around 4pm. We waited and waited and waited and then I asked from nurse what is going on. She told us that her counts has to come back from lab and then they can let us out of here. Well, it was 5 and no counts, 5.30- still nothing. Finally they found out that the shooter system was down( they insert blood into little containers and shoot it down to lab( kind of like in the grossery store banks, where you but money or checks or whatever whey need into clear containers). So she found somebody who could take reginas blood down and finally after 30 minutes of waiting( from 6 to 6-30) we got out !!!!

Last night Regina had to get some blood. She had very weird reaction to blood. Her legs got really itchy and red . At first doctor thought it is nothing, but then the redness started spreading and after 15 minutes both of her legs where red and rashy. They gave her some Benadryl and it helped a lot. Now she has to get premeds every time she gets blood or platelets( it adds extra 30 minutes in medicine room).


It is 10 pm now. I got really hungry and I was crawing for chocolate. For my luck I had half box chocolate cax mix. SO I got really creative. I took the mix, I added 2 tbsp of peanutbutter, , one egg, 5 oz of apple sauce, water, cinnamon, 2 tbsp sour cream and I mixed it all together. Our apartment smells soooo good now and I am allready eating my cake! It came out delicious!!! oh, the power of chocolate!!! I am so happy now!!

Good night!

Dh and Gabriel will arrive next tuesday!! I can not wait. At least then I have somebody I can pick on;) Love you honey!!!

:)

Med free day.!!! Today is her rest day. She just gets fluids. And tonight she will be hooked up with TPN again. SHe havent had a bite of food since sunday morning. :(

She is way to attached to me. I love it but the same time I even can not stay to the bathroom without hearing her scream - WHAT ARE YOU DOING THERE SO LONG!!!!! lol

OK. I hit the gym now. I need to shred 5 lbs before thanksgiving next week. So I can eat more. lol ( how logic is that ) lol


Carol!!! Thank you for the great packs!! Regina has been enjoying the Disney princess books and sticky board( I guess that what it was called).

I told her that soon the packages will stop and she has to be happy with whatever I buy for her- and she told me that NO, Carol can not stop sending her packages because she will be tooo bored without her fun stuff. HUH?????
Does it mean i'm boring??? Carol, I think she likes you more than me ;)

I know who you are and I will hunt you down!!!

Today started just great. SOME stupid jerk or jerkinna decided that it is ok to bump somebody elses car. YES!! It happend in ST Jude parking lot. Security guy called me because they noticed something was wrong with my car. ( piece here and bump there and RED color attached to my beautiful silver bumper.

I am mad because person was jerk enough to just drive off. NICE and EDUCATED person will always leave a little note with his/her phone number on it. BUT OH no, this person was in such a hurry to get out of the parking lot , she /he probably forgot . HIT AND RUN!!!!

I hope you have nightmares !!!!!!!


On a good note. Regina continues doing well. :) Only thing is that she can not keep her magnesium down. And I told that to her nurses many many times. They told me they see what they can do. But so far nothing. When it is her turn to take magnesium again ther is another nurse and knows nothing about Reginas sturgle to keep Magnes. down. :)

So far so good!!

MRI!!!!! All the scans where clean. No signs of cancer anywhere!!!!! Spinal fluids where clean also. YES!! Yes!! Yess!!!!!!
But doctor did mention that she had more white cells( I think) in her brain, but she said it is caused by chemo and it'll clear away. :):)


Regina was watching tv. Suddenly she sat up and told me that she can not see. I paniced. I ran out of foom and told her nurse what was going on. When I got back to room , Regina had started conversation whit roomservice lady( she was sweeping the floors). lady asked if Regina wants to borrow her glasses. And REgina shouted-- IT IS A GREAT IDEA!! I NEED YOUR CLASSES NOW!!! wow, where that came from. Shortly after that she started throwing up and then doctor and nurse arrived and her vision was back. That was the weirdest thing ever. Chemo really does make them feel the ways , us, parents can not predict. One moment she is happy and ready to play, then suddenly she has the worst mood swings and then ,- she gives me kisses and hugs and tells me how much she loves me and then suddenly she tells me she hates kisses and hugs because they make her throw up. But I understand- I have to. ( At least I try to ) ;)

Regina and Chemo

Today they started her third round of chemo. So far she did really good- if to compare other 2 times. She did not throw up as many times as before. I guess it is because her nurse today just knew what she was doing.( giving her premeds in advance). Now REgina is sleeping and I have little time for my self.

Last night she threw a little fit about me not taking her Coloring pencils to hospitals. I told her to go to the nurse and ask the nurse, but all nurses had where cryons. So now I have to find her some coloring pencils, and sooner I find them the better it is. lol

Before her chemo she even had nice size brakfast( hash browns and milk), but thanks to chemo nothing stayed in :(

All you really need to know is that she is doing good and her blood pressure in perfect.

We are ready!!!

Our bags are backed and we are ready to go---- to Inpatient again :D

I know you all want to hear about MRIs, but I can not get hold of anybody who can tell me about her MRI's. So we really think that there is nothing to worry about!!

Last night there was Talent show hosted by alpha something , something. And at first REgina told me that she just wanted to see what other kids are doing, but then she saw another young boy ( I guess her age) singing and she decided that she wanted to sing. YES!! It was her Idea! So she sand ABC song and she looked really cute doing that ( real girly)

Then today we went to see SPONGE BOB movie!! YES!! The whole theater was full ST jude ( Target house, Ronald McDonald house and Grizzlies house) kids. It was funny movie. Regina did lot of laughing. Later we had nice lunch with Kailen( she did not feel very well today, chemo made her little sick). And of course Regina got pics taken with Sponge bob and Patrick!! Oh, and I forgot to mention big pucket of free popcorn and Sprite!!! Thank you one more time for fun morning/noon.
In about 5 hours we go to st jude and nurses will hook her up with fluids, and tomorrow will be her first and the worst Chemo day.

She reallly does look great and act great. :) She almost looks like normal, healthy her- without hair :)

Carol--THANKS!! What a surprise!! Book included even Estonian folk clothes- but let me just mention that Estonia has over 20 different folk clothing styles( each for every corner and county :). I think I am going to scrapbook that Estonian set :)

SB, Sija Keilen, and Patrick.

Sponge Bob, Regina and Patric!!!!

Regina Singing ABC

My little joke cracker! lol

Regina was in such a happy mood in the hospital. :) She started cracking jokes in A/T and s havent stopped once. She spoke to everybody today and since not lot of people have heard her talking it was a big surprise for everybody to see her running around and just looking cute. :)
Her physical therapist was really really pleased how Regina looks and acts and she sayed that Regina does not need PHYSICAl therapy. SHe is to perfect for it. YES!!!!

We were waiting in the B clinic( bone marrow) waiting area and we were kind of tired of waiting. SO I told regina to go ahead and go see what is keeping them that long LOL. I thought she will say NO, but she ran to b clinic, and started shouting- WHEN IS MY TURN. but since she is so short, nobody could see where the sound was coming from. So I lifted her up and told her to ask again, and she did ask. lol

Then I told her to ask for schedule for tomorrow. And she asked- WHAT"S THE SCHEDULE, LADY???? lol That was the funniest thing ever. She just made my day. I wish she was like that all the time..

Oh, I almost forgot- she was acting all happy and then I told her that I want to take a pic- and guess what??? SHE stopped laughing , turned her smile upside down. and just looked like I was hurting her feelings! lol When I was done with the picture, she started laughing again and was back to her happy REGINA! lol I often wonder, what is going on in her little head???

Don't forget to think about us tomorrow. IT is MRI and Spinal tap day!!!! We have to be in the hospital 6.30 in the morning!!!

Today ...

Today we decided to go to the hospital. Not because something was wrong with regina, but because we wanted to see how Chillis handed 2,5 million dollar check to St Jude. Yes, chillis raised 2,5 dollars nationwide. Original plan was to raise 2 millions but they exceeded that 2 millions. :) Thank you Chillies for caring. :D

Now I am stuck with horrible headace. I thought my head will explode. Nothing seemed to work. No tylenol, no water, no icepacks, not hot pag.. Pain is not that intense anymore but I have lot of pressure and numb pain close to neck and midhead. I never had that kind of headace before. I hope it is just because of stress. ..
Tomorrow regina gets labs drawn to make sure everything looks great and she is ready for her chemo :)


Good lab vibes please:D

Keilin, me and Regina who did not want pic to be taken

Regina Keilin and purple bear