A couple of months ago one of our neighbors was gauging interest in a litter of puppies she was breeding and asked if anyone would be interested in adoption. They were mini Australian Shepherds. The neighbor owned the daddy and wanted one more. The momma had 8! I had never seen toy Aussies before and omg are they the most adorable little creatures ever. I tentatively put up my hand for a little girl with a lot of caveats about my health and energy. They were ready to go to their new homes on Friday. 

Please help us welcome Daisy to our family. She is almost 10 weeks old, her momma is about 10 pounds and daddy is 7 pounds so she is going to stay quite petite. Daisy is getting the hang of potty training, she has made friends with MJ, and understands sit. She evens plays fetch already! Stuart and Teddy aren’t quite sure about the puppy energy yet but she’s winning them over too. She is the sweetest little pup I’ve ever owned. 

I have been missing Lola so much and I need some kind of purpose to my day. Mild depression set in with the Taxol, I’m not sure if it’s medication-related, something chemical with the steroids or chemo, or if it’s the fact that I’m accepting my new reality with a deeper understanding of its impact. At first, the focus is on survive, fight, treat. Then the cost hits. Emotional, physical, financial, impact on family. It’s a lot. I didn’t know how much I needed Daisy. She’s brought laughter back to our home and a huge amount of new photos to my phone. Her butt looks like a bear cub! And her toe beans… some are pink and some are black. So stinking cute! 

I get chemo treatment #7 this Thursday. My last chemo should be June 6th barring any complications. Surgery will be in July I'm guessing. 

I have continued PT for my cervical stenosis and my hands have improved. I’m not dropping stuff as frequently but the numbness and strength gains I made in April were lost once I started Taxol. I’m sure it’s temporary. The neuropathy is mild so far. I had a follow up with my neurologist and he’s ordering a cervical MRI to see what’s exactly going on in C5 and C6 to see if my pain management doctor can do an injection. I can totally live with it. 

I also saw my ENT for tinnitus and hearing loss in my left ear (confirmed mild hearing loss) and weird crunching and plinking sounds in my right ear. I wasn’t sure if the issues were related to the nerve impingement that is affecting my hands or chemo treatment. They ordered a head MRI. Turns out I may have something called SSCD: superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome. Gotta get a CT to figure it out for sure. It can cause all the issues I have and also explains the vertigo I get several times a year that lasts for a week or more each time. Oh and I have a big cyst in the back of my sinuses. I do like growing stuff I don’t need!

Dr. Kelly ordered a bone density scan (so many tests!) in preparation for the post-radiation 10-year aromastase inhibitors which can cause bone loss. It showed that I have mild bone loss already so I’m increasing my calcium intake and need to start some weight-bearing and strengthening training. I don't need to start medication yet so that's good. Mom and Beanie have significant osteoporosis so there could be a genetic component. 

Thank you for the continued support, it really does make a difference. We’ve had some lovely visitors, cards, flowers, and gifts. Thank you. We were able to host a dinner recently for a few of Curtis’s local colleagues and it was so nice to connect with each of them. Keep an eye out for my next 1 Second Everyday for some snippets of day-to-day life and Daisy. Love y’all!