Childhood best friends

Delivering apples to neighbors on 
Thanksgiving - their idea!

This weekend I was writing a blog about Heather and her childhood best friend Maggie. Maggie and Heather lived two houses apart from each other and were inseparable until they attended different high schools and colleges.   Maggie eventually became a West coast girl and Heather was an East coast girl.

I was reminiscing about all their fun in elementary school and middle school and, before I posted it, a package arrived in the mail from Maggie.  It came the day after Heather was so sick with nerve pain and fatigue.  It may be 20 years since they were best friends, but that bond still exists.   Maggie wrote a caring and funny note and included an aroma therapy stuffed animal that wraps around your neck.  Her note was hysterical, it said "I know you already have a dog, but this one can be microwaved."  Very Maggie, very funny.

I can't describe how much Heather enjoyed this surprise.  It made us both laugh, cry, and reminisce about so many funny and  happy times.  Thank you Maggie.  I can't wait for the  next time you come home and we can just resume where we left off.   

Was it a coincidence that her gift arrived today? I don't think so.  Somehow Maggie knew.  Amazing  how time can stand still and it just seems like yesterday. 

Here is my blog that I was working on.........

When Heather and Maggie were 13, I made the mistake once of bringing them to my job.  I only made that mistake once.  These creative monsters decided that putting their smashed faces on the Xerox glass would make pretty head shots to use for acting auditions.  OK, that one is not so bad.


How about when I introduce my daughter to my colleagues and my daughter introduces her friend Maggie who is visiting from France and doesn't speak English.  Well, imagine my reaction when my co-workers ask a simple question and Maggie goes off in some unknown accent/language and doesn't stop talking.  Creative - yes.  Appropriate - no.  Did they ever come back to my office?  NEVER - ha.


I loved the creative and wild side of Heather and Maggie.  They kept me entertained, they made me appreciate the little things in life, and they made me laugh.  They went through a phase where they loved making documentary type videos.  They would knock on innocent neighbor’s door and sweetly tell them they were filming a short film or documentary for school and they would like to ask them a few questions.  The neighbors always agreed, but they had no idea that what they said would be twisted - sort of like political commercials.  For example, before they approached the neighbor, Heather would be on camera and say "So, do you have romantic feelings for my mom."  Well, the neighbor that would answer the door never heard that question.  Instead, Heather said - "we are going to ask you a question, but do not answer until we turn the camera on and give you the signal."  Without the camera recording, the question would be "do you like to eat chocolate chip cookies".  Then they would start recording and my sweet innocent neighbor would answer "Yes, all the time"


So the final product would show Heather saying “do you have romantic feelings for my mom" and my neighbors answer was "Yes, all the time."  Fine - I'll admit it - I loved these two crazy, creative, and wildly entertaining girls. 

Here is the gift that Maggie sent along with some of my favorite pictures.  

1991

1996

2008

Thank you Maggie - it meant the world to both of us. We love you.  We miss you.  We can't wait to see you.

xo
Lisa
  

Not much to say

Can you imagine that?  When in the world do I have nothing to say.

We are still in a holding pattern.  Waiting on more blood work, more tests, adjusting meds, etc. Last week, they started Heather on another supplement and her body had a bad allergic reaction. So in addition to everything else, she is now covered in hives and feels even more miserable.

I think this picture kinda sums up the last month.  Heather sleeps a lot - which is a good thing for her mono.  The picture also shows my shadow hovering over her while I snap this picture of Pearl and Heather sleeping.  I wasn't one of those hovering helicopter parents - but now that she is living at home, I do find myself watching her while she sleeps.  It is hard to watch the nerves twitching, but when she is in a deep sleep I know she is getting some rest, she is unaware of her pain, and those cute dimples - well, they just make me smile.

 

When she has the energy she has acquired a new hobby - painting furniture with Annie Sloan chalk paint.  The paint is amazing.  You don't have to prep the wood - there is no odor to the paint - just a few strokes and voila - a new piece of furniture.  Very therapeutic, fun colors, and she gets quick results.  Unlike this damn Lyme holding pattern that we are in.





Oh I just remembered something else - we moved some of her NYC furniture from the storage unit into her "suite."  She now has approx 700 sq ft of space that has her king size bed, large TV, sofa, chair, and armoires for her TONS of clothing, shoes, and purses.  It reminds me of her first NYC efficiency - except now she has a fireplace and a view of the lake.  Nothing like laying in your own bed and watching your wonderful (not) reality TV shows on a 55 inch screen instead of 32 inches.  Size matters right?  Wow - this went downhill fast.

That's all for today - hope you are enjoying this wonderful spring weather as much as Pearl is.  Not sure the chipmunks are enjoying being chased, but Pearl is reigning over her kingdom quite well.  

Good Bye New York - Hello Virginia (Sunday March 20, 2016)

Last time leaving the apartment

Sunday March 20, 2016

Start spreading the news ...
Heather's leaving today....

In May 2015 Heather made the correct decision to spend the summer at the beach and "heal."  However, her fully furnished one bedroom apartment lease didn't expire until April 1st 2016.  She didn't want to break the lease and lose the security deposit.  Also, Heather wasn't sure if she was going to return to NY.  Luckily, her friend Nate decided to rent the fully furnished apartment and Heather moved to the beach with her summer clothes.  My beach bum.

Nate has been such a good friend and to have him in her apartment allowed us to take control of one thing and check it off the list as done.  When Heather realized that she would not be returning to NYC in the fall, Nate sent down her fall/winter clothes.


It is now the end of March 2016 and Heather and I are in Astoria packing up her items and professional movers will bring her things back to Virginia.  Heather lives in a 3 story walk up and moving furniture is difficult.

The original plan was for Heather to take the bus and stay in the city for a week while her friends helped her box up her belongings.  Well, her doctor didn't want her traveling alone, just in case, so Heather and I drove up together.   I got to spend quality alone time with Heather in the car and she entertained me with song and laughter.

Upon our arrival, her amazing friends were there for her.  Amy and Jake met us at the car and carried everything up for us, Nate cooked for us, made us laugh, and helped us pack.  Nate gets it - he knows how to pay it forward and help someone.  Corey came over and packed up boxes and entertained Heather with songs, laughter, and a good stroll down memory lane. Maria joined us Saturday night to help pack boxes and Amy came on Sunday to be with Heather and help clean up the apartment after the movers were done.  THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!

All of these friends, and more (Sarah, Bri, Vanessa) were there for her when she was first diagnosed and dealing with the PICC line on her own.  They helped her with chores, they shopped for her, they visited with her, they cooked with her, they were there for her.  What a beautiful gift.  I am forever grateful for Heather's friends and hope they can come down to Virginia for some southern hospitality and spoiling.


This trip was physically and emotionally hard for Heather.  Her fatigue is awful and her nerve pain is getting worse.  I just need to get her back to Virginia by Monday for several doctor appointments and tests this week.


xo
Lisa

View from her Bedroom

   

Adding mono to the list......

Pearl enjoying the fire

Thursday 3/31/16 - I want to give a quick update about Heather.  For the last week, she has been having high fevers and unable to keep food down.  She went to the ER for blood work, images,  and IV fluids.  Seven hours later, she was sent home and the ER doctor was quite frankly stumped by all that is going on.  Sadly the more tests they run, the more they find.  (4/2/16 update - got a phone call from ER and Heather has mono.  Heavy sigh.)  It explains the recent fever, fluid in lungs, and more fatigue.

The ER doctor said that Heather is like a Dr. House patient.  He wants to follow her case to see how it pans out.  I love the interest - but it saddens me that the main stream medical community doesn't understand chronic Lyme disease.  It makes me sick to know that the CDC doesn't recognize chronic lyme disease and sets the guidelines that doctors must follow.  I will save my rant on that for a later date.  Now I just need to stay focused and help Heather navigate this health journey.

We know Lyme disease has affected many of her organs.  We know that her nerve pain is getting worse.  March 31st, my poor Heather was awake all night in excruciating pain.  Every time she moves it hurts and it hurts even more when she doesn't move.  I HATE that I can't fix this.  I can't fathom what she is going through and I am in awe of her strength and positive attitude.  I have seen "bad patients" and Heather is an AMAZING patient.

Heather is sick and tired of being sick and tired and she wants to resume her normal life - you know -  working crazy hours, socializing, traveling, going out.  Thank goodness for Kevin - he is her rock and has been so supportive and understanding.  Let's not forget about loyal and loving Pearl.  This 10 month old puppy lays next to Heather for hours.  She knows how sick Heather is and does her best to comfort and keep her company.  

Now for the medical team - Heather is being seen by a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor - basically LLMDs are Infectious Disease doctors specializing in Lyme Disease.  In order to get a full picture of Heather's health, the LLMD ordered tons of images and blood tests.  Right now we have an Internist, Gastroenterologist, Cardiologist, Neurologist - you get the "gist" - basically any specialist ending with 'ist' is on the case.  Oh, I forgot - she has a general surgeon too.

We are still waiting for more tests and results, but we know that she has some health issues that need to be treated/fixed before Lyme treatment can begin (again). 

I will keep you updated as decisions are made and procedures take place.

Please keep Heather in your prayers - phase 2 of this journey is only beginning.  

Stay strong baby girl - I love you to the moon and back.  

xo
Lisa