The 2 Sides of 'Good' News...

The Not-so-Good
-I caught a bad cold from the baby that I watch one day a week (he had snot everywhere the other day and I kept using the hand sanitizer every 2 minutes...guess it didn't work...)
-I still have tons to do before spring break (1 take home exam, 2 exams with tons of material, some art stuff, a group presentation, etc.)


The Good and Better
-My friend's dad got moved to a hospital back here where we live (he was out of state at a renowned facility) and is improving a little each day!
-Spring break IS near...
-Afrin is a good friend when I'm sick :)...
-I got a paper done early (for psychology class-history of anorexia)-feels awesome!
-I finished a painting for tomorrow (used up all my energy today)...hopefully I'll get some pics up on the site soon of what I've been doing in painting class
-I have 2 new jobs!
-and best of all...I have an AMAZING friend coming to visit over my spring break-she just booked her flight (I met her at a cancer survivors' retreat a few years ago and haven't gotten to see her in a long time) -I can't wait! ;)
-I'm going to bed NOW (early!)

Today, I am grateful for all of the above in the good and better section, family, friends, hubby and God!

R

TV, Friends, Doctors and MRIs

The day started off early and frigid at 5 degrees Fahrenheit. It landed me here on a local TV morning show's set. It was a lot of fun minus being somewhat sleepy!

Next, is lunch/brunch with a friend...then off to doctors and MRIs for the afternoon/evening!

I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

Today, I am grateful for friends, family, good times, prayers, doctors, medicine and God!

Rachel

Lucky Duck

Maybe I should knock on wood or I might be jinxing myself BUT I have just have to say I been so amazed by my immune system lately. Maybe it's the flu shot, maybe it's that I wash my hands a ton, maybe it's this or that but the fact is I haven't been sick lately and it seems everyone around me has! This is a FIRST for sure. For so many years, my immune system has been suppressed and I guess part of me assumed it would be like this forever and I'm sure to an extent, that's true. I was the first to get sick, the last to heal and it usually turned into something worse...not a good combo. Even a year ago from now, I had a pretty serious infection in my blood. I know those days will most likely come again but for now I am content to just battle this exhaustion from the new(er) nerve meds (from Nov-Dec time) and not be sick on top of it!

Thank God!!

Today, I am grateful for: one less 'challenge' in life lately-that of not being sick, a wonderful night last night!!, a morning of extended rest, life, friends, family and God.

R

The Eve of Christmas...

I'm not feeling too in the spirit, I guess you could say. I just went to the Dr for my lingering cold. It seems that my lungs sounded good (haha, good in terms of "Rachel lungs", which aren't in the best shape, but this is good news-I was worried) and my throat looked ok (I had lost my voice for a couple days and it was sore). They took blood and said it was just the cold taking forever to leave me. So, good news overall and now I need to gear up for a couple days of nonstop parties, food and family. Fun, but of course, exhausting!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Today, I am grateful: that I am not more sick, that I've been able to enjoy my holiday break and not miss anything I've wanted to do, for friends, family and God.

Love,
Raquel (why not go by my spanish name today?)

5 of Rachel's Random Tips

Well, today I have some random tips and believe me, they are RANDOM!

1. The first one is relatively simple and I'm sure you have all heard it before but packing a lunch the night before is SO much easier. I am not a morning person at all-I feel gross, crabby and sluggish, my pills haven't kicked in, etc. so the extra 10 minutes in bed are a big deal and when I'm running or rather, walking fast stiffly out to door, I can grab my lunch and go.

2. My massage therapist told me to do this a couple weeks ago after my massage and since then I have done it about 3 or 4 times and have loved the way it makes me feel...Baths for at least 15 minutes with epsom salt (I got lavender scented epsom salt at the drugstore). I just leave the water running, drop about 1 cup into the flowing water, turn off the water, wait for it to be a good temp, put on some soothing music, light a couple candles and there you have it! I also recommend rinsing off in the shower afterwards and maybe even a little body scrub or something to get all out the toxins that maybe have been released :).

It really helped me get through this week with so much work to do and being sick with a bad cold or something. It relaxed my body, made me go to sleep better, (temporarily) cleared out my congestion some with the steam and stuff and my bathroom STILL slightly smells awesome, in a good way (I'm sensitive to smells). It also gave me something to look forward to.

3. Go on dates with people you love and like. Awhile back, I scheduled a lunch date with my Dad today. It was lovely! Highly recommend it :). It's good for you and for them and you get to enjoy some food, drink, whatever together!

4. Speaking of my dad, ever since I was little, if I was up coughing in the middle of the night coughing, he would bring me his 'special tea'. Now, I usually make it when I have a cold or something. It's simply hot tea (I like green tea), a little lemon juice and a little honey. It usually helps with coughing or just another relaxer. I also combine this in conjunction with Tip #2 :).

5. Lastly, don't feel bad if you aren't in the 'holiday spirit'. There's something that happened in me after cancer, maybe it was along with growing up, but the holidays just haven't been the same. I really try and think of the reason for the season. Sometimes it's ok and sometimes this time of year is depressing and people get cranky and everyone drives crazy and on and on.

Today, I am thankful that: I got to sleep in some and skipped an appt. I can reschedule, lunch with Dad, I got my big project done on time, family, friends and God :).

Love,

Rachel