I've started receiving some of your altered photos of me with hair, and they are hilarious!!! OMG, you guys are really something. I am so glad that I got this idea (it seemed 'some' were getting bored of sitting idle or commenting in a line or two.) It has unleashed the talents in you (well, to some they were never on a leash, really, but bear with me, I am trying to be funny!) I will be receiving pictures on my hotmail account until Sunday midnight (whatever time zone u happen to be in), and then I will try to rearrange them in a way everyone can see them on the blog. Then I will TRY to choose the best one, but I doubt I'll be able to (they're only 5 so far, and I can't). We'll see, maybe we'll let the readers decide in a poll or sth (if I knew how!). Frances and Bobbie have been kind enough to post an 'ad' of this challenge on their blogs, inviting yet more people to join in. WoW! Thanks ladies. (But pls make sure that ur readers know that the deadline is Sunday midnight).
Rima Koleilat, come on down!!! Congratulations, you have spotted the pun and you get to take home with you a box of delicious dark chocolate brownies by Cocoa & Co. Applause Applause Applause
If you are still wondering what it was, well, it's ALL: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (the type I have)
Ok, so Day 12 today (it's Day 12 to me now, but I guess you'll be reading it tomoro, which will be Day 13). Dr Potter passed by to see how I was doing. he told me everything was under control and congratulated me on taking ALL (got it now?) the pain with such bravery. ya lateef! wlak shoo hal Hala. Ufff! I'm just glad it's controllable, hamdillah, and that I still have some energy left to get through it ALL :) God willing. It's addictive this ALL. I survived ALL.
Those of you who have been following up this week will have noticed something different tonight. I am SOBER!!! eeeeeeewwwww. I haven't ordered the extra Morphine I am allowed a day. habla! I woulda been in la-la land now!!! But, yalla, maalesh (4 u Mo), cuz I didn't need any which means I am getting better, hamdilla!
Yiiiy, it's almost midnight now. The nurse is on her way to take my obs. Hope all's well. (temp been playing a bit between 37 and 38. I just hope they find the reason why.
good night,
waiting for u tomoro,
love u ALL
H
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Have your cake and (don't u dare) eat it!
Day 11, and the living is eaaasyyy, NOT! I have to admit I feel much better, though, thank God. AND, guess what? The counts have started to increase! They're @ 700 today, or 0.7 for the British :~{) We dunno why since it's still quite early, but the docs said it is possible andhas happened that engraftment might start quite early. I hope this is the case, cuz if it is, it means I will be going home sooner. Just have to be very very extra careful.
However, come the afternoon, in comes the nurse with an injection of Methotrexate, a very strong chemo medication that will hit the whites again, and cause them to drop a bit, plus it does have some 'ugly' side effects like dry mouth, diarrhea... ya3ni, mostly like the ones I was happy to start getting rid of today, only less intense. But, hamdilla, w baseeta, w maalesh, it'll pass inshallah, and i will be as good as new, except with FADI all over me ALL (noticed the pun?! Honestly, who did? come on, do tell!) the time.
Aaaah, Fadi, my alter-ego, my partner in crime, my Samson, my Gabbana, my perfect match (3 stars box)... what shall I tell you. I don't only have your cells now, but I look exactly like you. I am developing those 'whistle while you work' symptoms, I am also 'working' on my mobile phone ALL (aah, here it goes again! A brownie for he/she who guesses) day long. Even my voice is changing into a deeper, huskier, sexier voice like yours (hehe). However, the one thing I cannot master is this 88!!! (when fadi frowns, his eyebrows rise to the shape of an 88 in Arabic, his trademark). Maybe it's cuz my forehead muscles are too feminine? Maybe cuz u actually need to have eyebrows to try that? hehe. Well, habibi, love u however u r, but pls lose the 88, I am jealous!!!)
Ok guys, I loved reading your comments at breakfast. Breakfast, ya right! I could hardly swallow my milk, but maalesh, it was gr8 fun doing that while reading the blog. The docs had their round around noon today. They are very happy with how things are developing with me (hamdillah). I took the opportunity to ask if I could have the yummy chocolate croissant I had my eye on (from the cafeteria, imagine-toi!). They said I could. However, I couldn't chew or swallow one tiny bit of it. Isn't it ironic?
Au lit, tout-de-suite,
mwah
Hala
However, come the afternoon, in comes the nurse with an injection of Methotrexate, a very strong chemo medication that will hit the whites again, and cause them to drop a bit, plus it does have some 'ugly' side effects like dry mouth, diarrhea... ya3ni, mostly like the ones I was happy to start getting rid of today, only less intense. But, hamdilla, w baseeta, w maalesh, it'll pass inshallah, and i will be as good as new, except with FADI all over me ALL (noticed the pun?! Honestly, who did? come on, do tell!) the time.
Aaaah, Fadi, my alter-ego, my partner in crime, my Samson, my Gabbana, my perfect match (3 stars box)... what shall I tell you. I don't only have your cells now, but I look exactly like you. I am developing those 'whistle while you work' symptoms, I am also 'working' on my mobile phone ALL (aah, here it goes again! A brownie for he/she who guesses) day long. Even my voice is changing into a deeper, huskier, sexier voice like yours (hehe). However, the one thing I cannot master is this 88!!! (when fadi frowns, his eyebrows rise to the shape of an 88 in Arabic, his trademark). Maybe it's cuz my forehead muscles are too feminine? Maybe cuz u actually need to have eyebrows to try that? hehe. Well, habibi, love u however u r, but pls lose the 88, I am jealous!!!)
Ok guys, I loved reading your comments at breakfast. Breakfast, ya right! I could hardly swallow my milk, but maalesh, it was gr8 fun doing that while reading the blog. The docs had their round around noon today. They are very happy with how things are developing with me (hamdillah). I took the opportunity to ask if I could have the yummy chocolate croissant I had my eye on (from the cafeteria, imagine-toi!). They said I could. However, I couldn't chew or swallow one tiny bit of it. Isn't it ironic?
Au lit, tout-de-suite,
mwah
Hala
Monday, December 3, 2007
Can you see them? Can you? Can you?
Oh, come on, no? wala shwai? Ya Allah, maalesh, trust me on this one, there's definitely eyelashes growing. However, the head hair ain't. I'm sure it will soon. Meanwhile, I was wondering how it will come out this time. Same as last time: straight, brown and thick or something else. Ya mama! Well, just for fun's sake, let's play with this picture. You guys who have done some photoshop work on my other picture (check blog in sept), it's time u take out your "mice" and draw some new hair onto my bald spot. Bobbie, Frances, Sandollar, Rima, Fawzan, Neda, Wiss, Linag, May? Everyone else is welcome, plssssssssssss. I am a total clutz with photoshop, but I think u can use other ways (I'd print, draw, scan and resend. ta da!!!!) That is if I could get the scanner to work, hee hee! Pls send finished picture and send it to my halabeydoun360@hotmail.com account by end of this week (Say, Sunday 9th). You can go as creative and wild as u wish (just don't make want to stay hairless!)
Other than that, today's been, eh, well, a Sunday at hospital! Very slow and quiet. Meena was here in the morning, but had to leave early for Kent. So, I was stuck with TWO "mature" men all afternoon. We spent it watching football, formula 1, car shows, even rugby!!! all the while 'playing' with the computers and multiple mobile phones!!! You can imagine the fun I've had. It's good they took me to have an x-ray to break the routine!!!
yalla, too de loo
je suis crevee (mazbouta?)
Oh and thank u auntie rima for "bouillotte"
btw, If u look at yesterday's comments, you'll find that i too added a comment. well, not about myself, but about all those who had 'breakfast' with me. So, write back so we can chat over hot chocolate and croissants!
mwah
Hala
Sunday, December 2, 2007
They're back!!! They're back!!!
Thank God Almighty my eyelashes are back!!!!!! Hallelujah!
The worst ever side effect of chemotherapy is losing one's eyelashes. Why? Dunno, maybe cuz they give depth to the eyes, outline them so u don't look so sick? I mean, eyebrows are ok, expected to fall off, so is hair, but eyelashes, (oh and the hairs inside one's nose), never! So, yes, I was washing my face today, and as I was putting on my medicated moisturizer, when I realized I had tiny little lashes growing back on my lids. WOW! (sounds like Ghida's 'wow, bi3a22ed' in that ad). (Ghida I hope u r reading this, miss u tons!)
Chemo has many other disadvantages, however, believe it or not, it does have some advantages! for instance:
- U no longer have to worry about waxing or shaving or sugaring or whatever. Chemo takes care of that.
- U save tons of money on hairdressers and hair products.
- Again, u save time and money on plucking eyebrows and bikini waxes!
- Since your nails turn into a striped white and blue 'lighthouse', and your toenails start playing funny with ingrown ones not allowing u to walk straight, your manicure and pedicure budget is brought down to zero, thus allowing u more time and money for shopping for bandanas!!!
- Ah, (girls only) your monthly visitor, Mme Rose, will no longer be visiting you, thus relieving you of pain and suffering and Advil and NaNa bills!
- Since your blood would be full of poison when taking chemo, you will not get ANY mosquito bites!!! In fact, if they tried to prick u, they die right away on the spot!
I can't think of anything else now, I am sooo sleepy, my head's dropping to the keyboard!
Thank you for those who answered my query about THE INFAMOUS HOT WATER BOTTLE! I think it's a great invention and that we should give it what it's worth (hehe). So, if u haven't come out yet, yalla, now's the time.
I'm glad you all think I am feeling better cuz I am writing more cheerfully, well, ya, a little better. The pains are still there and we are still very early in the treatment, but I guess I got used to it and refuse to let it pull me down again, inshallah.
Yalla, go post a comment to this entry. I'll read them at breakfast tomoro, my morning treat!
mwah
Hala
The worst ever side effect of chemotherapy is losing one's eyelashes. Why? Dunno, maybe cuz they give depth to the eyes, outline them so u don't look so sick? I mean, eyebrows are ok, expected to fall off, so is hair, but eyelashes, (oh and the hairs inside one's nose), never! So, yes, I was washing my face today, and as I was putting on my medicated moisturizer, when I realized I had tiny little lashes growing back on my lids. WOW! (sounds like Ghida's 'wow, bi3a22ed' in that ad). (Ghida I hope u r reading this, miss u tons!)
Chemo has many other disadvantages, however, believe it or not, it does have some advantages! for instance:
- U no longer have to worry about waxing or shaving or sugaring or whatever. Chemo takes care of that.
- U save tons of money on hairdressers and hair products.
- Again, u save time and money on plucking eyebrows and bikini waxes!
- Since your nails turn into a striped white and blue 'lighthouse', and your toenails start playing funny with ingrown ones not allowing u to walk straight, your manicure and pedicure budget is brought down to zero, thus allowing u more time and money for shopping for bandanas!!!
- Ah, (girls only) your monthly visitor, Mme Rose, will no longer be visiting you, thus relieving you of pain and suffering and Advil and NaNa bills!
- Since your blood would be full of poison when taking chemo, you will not get ANY mosquito bites!!! In fact, if they tried to prick u, they die right away on the spot!
I can't think of anything else now, I am sooo sleepy, my head's dropping to the keyboard!
Thank you for those who answered my query about THE INFAMOUS HOT WATER BOTTLE! I think it's a great invention and that we should give it what it's worth (hehe). So, if u haven't come out yet, yalla, now's the time.
I'm glad you all think I am feeling better cuz I am writing more cheerfully, well, ya, a little better. The pains are still there and we are still very early in the treatment, but I guess I got used to it and refuse to let it pull me down again, inshallah.
Yalla, go post a comment to this entry. I'll read them at breakfast tomoro, my morning treat!
mwah
Hala
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Ok, I'm ok, but speaking Gibberish!!!
Really, I keep dozing off and waking up to ask a non-relevant question or utter an out-of-context answer!!! Silly me! Silly morphine! I'm better today, hamdillah, but exhausted, so won't keep u too long.
BTW, where r the rest of u? how came my comments have diminished so much? or r u reading but not commenting? hmmmm?! Not allowed. Just drop a word or 2 for me to know somebody out there still loves me and hasn't forgotten about me in cold, old Sutton!
Ok, enough insecurities.
Oh and one last thing, God's gift on Earth? A HOT WATER BOTTLE!!!! Yeaeaeaeah!! (ya3ni kees mayy sokhneh, dunno what in french). Amazing when u r addicted on it AND on Morphine! How many of u own and actually use one? Mine is plastic red with a pink and fuschia (but, of course) polka dot fleece cover. I bought it from Boots here. How about yours? do u think we can get a picture or a sketch? Mom used to always use one, but i never really appreciated its importance! But now, tks mom 4 ur subconscious advice.
yalla, khalas, dodo,
domani
mwah
H
BTW, where r the rest of u? how came my comments have diminished so much? or r u reading but not commenting? hmmmm?! Not allowed. Just drop a word or 2 for me to know somebody out there still loves me and hasn't forgotten about me in cold, old Sutton!
Ok, enough insecurities.
Oh and one last thing, God's gift on Earth? A HOT WATER BOTTLE!!!! Yeaeaeaeah!! (ya3ni kees mayy sokhneh, dunno what in french). Amazing when u r addicted on it AND on Morphine! How many of u own and actually use one? Mine is plastic red with a pink and fuschia (but, of course) polka dot fleece cover. I bought it from Boots here. How about yours? do u think we can get a picture or a sketch? Mom used to always use one, but i never really appreciated its importance! But now, tks mom 4 ur subconscious advice.
yalla, khalas, dodo,
domani
mwah
H
Thursday, November 29, 2007
I am hungry again, yay! (I think?!!)
Morphine ya morphine. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways...
Man, they're uncountable! It is absolutely amazing!!! The improvement from last night to tonight was gradual, slowly but surely, but at least now I can swallow a bit and the cramps have diminshed considerably (thank you, God!)
They had come to see me in the morning after a long, rough night and decided to double the morphine and asked if I minded?! Me mind, morphine? yeeha! It's a pity though that I am not experiencing any halucinations or anything. The doc asked if I was having nightmares, but that's a negative too, hamdilla. So, basically, it is reducing pain and making me sleepy! (check out the pic above. I am on morphine and thus sleepy, fhemna, tayyeb, bas Wiss shoo??? u must be asking yrselves! Those who know wisso know that he will take any opportunity to nap no matter how, where, when... Plus don't forget the load he is carrying habibi. he must be exhausted! Ya3teeh alf 3afieh.
Right now I am trying to have a piece of blueberry muffin with a drink of Ribena (typical English), but they r still difficult to swallow with all the ulcers in my mouth, so I guess I will celebrate going back to food tomoro, insghallah (or else they will put a food drip on me, and I, the gourmande, would never accept to be fed via a tube. eeeeeewwwwwwww!!!)
Again, thank you Fadi for taking over last night. I woulda depressed your socks off had I written instead of him!
OK, so day +7 and the counts are still not flat! They're at 200. Yalla they should go down, so their relatives (fadi's cells) can replace them. I am so possessive and clingy. I cannot get my own cells to leave me even if it means a better life for me. what kind of sicko am I?
Maalesh as long as there is no, or at least some bearable pain, I don't care how long the cells will take to engraft. Let's just hope I get to leave the hospital by x-mas eve (again Cyba make a killer turkey dinner!)
Awright kiddos, adios, a domani, a toute, tou re lu....
Keep them prayers coming, I'm sure they had something to do with my feeling better today!
love you all
H
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Fadi for Hala
For Hala is high on morphine!!! she requested Bigbro to fill in her shoes today. Surely she wouldn't have asked had she been any less high ;-). Day 6 passed Hamdilla relatively well. Changed medication patterns and now uses a 24 hour pump to cut down on surges and side effects. It helped it seems but still cant eat much by mouth, but that is expected. Had platelets again today and got a little fever hike again. A few more rough days, not many Inshalla, and all this will be history. Thank you all for your support, your posts, your prayers and your care. Keep them all coming. Hala says hi and thanks to each one of YOU dear FRIENDS.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
