HOME ALONE for Raj & Jessy - Day 19

We might be 46 and 40 respectively, but its the first day in more than 3 weeks that we've been left to tend to ourselves :).

We thought that Sherry (aka) Mom could use a couple days in her own bed, and some quality catch up time with Milly (the dog that I can't be around until I have a stronger immune system). My parents are staying safe and away from others so they can still come back and see me in this stage of super low immunity - so even this "break" doesn't come with much fun out of their own house. We already miss the millions of things my mom does everyday, and we will be excited to welcome her home tomorrow night! Also glad she got right to work getting Milly in the holiday spirit :)

We woke up to a fresh snow fall, and a took a bundled up walk through the winter wonderland. Raj is perfecting his fire making skills, and our completion of Julia (Documentary on Julia Child) last night, left him inspired to cook up some delicious omelettes this morning.

I'm currently cuddled up on the couch, zooming in to my first meeting as a member of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin Administrative Committee. Feels good, as I sit in this DEEPLY Republican district in Hubertus, WI, to be doing my part in building and supporting the future of Democrats in Wisconsin!

The sun is out, the fire is roaring, the snow has started to melt - and I'm feeling thankful to have at least a little engagement in activities happening out in the world beyond this house.

Tonight Raj and I *may* actually venture out for a drive?!? Things are getting pretty wild :) However, we thought seeing some Christmas lights through the car window could be a transplant recovery safe date night!

Health Update:

• Feeling a little better today today - and feeling hopeful about next week's blood tests...FINGERS CROSSED AGAIN FOR ENGRAFTMENT!

• I've taken 4,281 steps today (nothing for a normal healthy person, but feeling proud of this distance, with still 1 more walk to go today!)

• When they tell you that you "might" experience some bone pain with a new drug they give you, what they really mean is "It's going to hurt like hell, and we just don't want you to be caught off guard. This is no joke- but I want to think I'm just feeling the work of my new bone marrow burrowing itself into its new permanent home :) BTW, there's nothing science based at all about that explanation.

What's Entertaining Us:

• The Shrink Next Door...WOW WOW WOW, so thankful that my own shrink is nothing like Dr. Ike. We are cringing and loving this show on Apple TV+

• Finished my first book, "The Last Mrs Parrish" of the recovery... Taking recommendations for good Fiction Recommendations.

What I'm Grateful For:

Facebook Memories: These can be a real source of tricky territory for me in the many months since Ben passed away. However today the memory is quite beautiful and offered me the chance to re-read the incredible article written about my beloved Brother and his remarkable Cancer fight.

For the rest of my life I will be most grateful to have been Ben's Sister. To have been witness to his strength and to take from that courage inspiration each and every day.

I highly recommend a re-read even if you've already read it:

https://www.washingtonian.com/2016/12/11/my-mr-chemotherapy-contest-nemesis-ben/?fbclid=IwAR2MrkUAw8P9sm7qZSlbp1yA4UpawvvbnE0VYFFr8RjMsp_Ui2tNckd8R3M

and the follow-up the author wrote after Ben passed way:

https://www.washingtonian.com/2020/10/21/ben-tolkan-subject-of-2016-washingtonian-feature-dies-at-37/