It has been a minute since I updated you on what is going on.
It has been approximately 5 weeks since I had my last chemo treatment. I have been doing as expected, I have good days and bad days. There were a few times I had a day where I felt better than normal, so of course, naturally, I over did it. I mean, come on, 5 months of not being well enough to do any typical housework leaves a house looking like a 3rd world country.
Everything, and I do mean everything in my house (nick nacks, bottles of cleaners and decor all sitting out in the open had a thick coating of dust on it. Everything was dirty. We all know, bless their hearts, men are good at a lot of things, but they do not do DEEP cleaning like we do. (Or that is at least, how it is in my home.
My adorable husband did the basics to keep us both alive, and as I had mentioned in earlier posts, he learned to cook pretty darn well. And, he was good about surface cleaning (for the most part). Counter tops (kitchen and bathroom), washed towels, his clothes (I still mananged to do my own laundry - at least wash it and then live out of the laundry basket since I had NO energy to iron, fold and hang up anything for 5 months). But, surface cleaning at the least, gave off the appearance that our house was "um clean". Just a small list of things that got neglected. Inside refridgerator: old food didn't get thrown out unless I had a day where I could do it, the sheves were coated with spilt God-knows-what, food put in there with no lid or covering what so ever, cheese blocks left un covered and hard as a rock, empyt milk containers ect ect ect. The outside of the fridge never got a good wipe down, there was crusty stuff "maybe moistened flour or whatever he had on his hands" encrusted to the fridge & freezer door handles. For which my ADHD butt can not stand to touch with it feeling that way. Dust and "Bunnies" wrapped around the legs of the table and chairs, entire full blown poodles growing under the furniture. Dust an inch thick on the speakers in the back of the tv, bowls, frying pans, and pots all dissorganized (large pots sitting on top of smaller pots), well, you get the idea. I digress, I have spent the last 5 weeks trying to take care of 1 (of a 100+) chores a day. Not very successfully as my energy is not restored yet and the pain is still very prominant. I get a chore done one day and pay for it for three days. NOT very effective...
I have had many friends contact me and say things like, since your good now let's go have a girls day. UHM. NO. I have 5 months of "catching up to do" and it will take me a year to do it. Don't get me wrong, we took a day off and would go for drive to get out and away and breath without these worries. But, I am finding that I am much better off staying at home for now. NOT just my body but my mind. This, Not a drop of hormone left in my body and in full blown menopause has got my head spinning. The mood swings are enough to make a very masculine man cry, I am angry all of the time and working on not letting that be "me". Did I mention that The hot flashes combined with the Chemo leaving my body has left me sweating out what looks to be very akin to Lime Gatoraide and smells like very "old person". Yeah, that's not pretty and it surely does not make me want to go out and share it with the world. Oh, and when I say it looks like Lime Gatoraide, I mean, when I wiped my brow with a white kleenex, the sweat had a very florescent lime yellow color to it. Very gross and very disturbing. But my cancer group says "YEP, that's a thing". So at least I know it's normal. UGH..
Before I turn this into a full blown book. I wanted to share.
My hair is growing back (Also the cancer group said this is normal as well). It is super fine and feels (and looks) like running your hand over the head of a dandelion puff ball.
My hair is super fine, white as can be and curly. Having never had curly hair a day in my life (not without using a perm). This, I do hope, is NOT permanent, but I guess it is what it is. I posted these pictures on Tiktok (via a video) and one person (not sure if they were serious, or trying to be mean or not) said; You look great, Sir... It didn't bother me. Not much does these days. It's okay. I too believe I look like an 80 year old man. When in fact I am (as of today) a 55 year old woman (with a lot of sundamage on my face). It's okay.. Laugh it up. I will look like a normal woman again in the next few months. Below is the video I spoke of... lol..
Anyway, that is where I am right now. I will try not to delay updating so much in the future. Getting my life back to a new normal takes up a lot of my time. NOT to mention, while I have been laid up so much I have created a few things to be helpful to my friends. I worked with Claude ai to create a few APPS that I hope to be helpful. These are in the testing phases right now. But feel free to try them out if you wish. These apps were created for my : Author friends and one for my AGS-(Alpha-Gal sufferes) . Well, bye for now. Until next time. God Bless and stay safe.
1st. up is the Alpha-Gal ingredient / recipe search / recipe creation tool Found HERE at rlbdesigns.com-->
Your Ultimate Kitchen Companion for Stress-Free, Mammal-Free Cooking!
Navigating Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) shouldn't mean sacrificing the joy of eating. Built specifically for the AGS community and readers of RLB Designs cookbooks, this free, AI-powered digital tool takes the guesswork out of mammalian-free grocery shopping, meal planning, and cooking.
Instantly Scan 300+ Ingredients: Use the interactive database to look up flours, spices, sauces, and deli meats to see exactly what is Safe, what to Avoid, and where to Use Caution.
The AI Recipe Transformer: Have a favorite old recipe that isn't safe? Paste it right into the tool! The AI instantly swaps out mammalian ingredients for safe alternatives and rewrites the instructions for you.
Custom Recipe Generator: Type in what you have in your fridge or a dish you’re craving, and get a delicious, 100% alpha-gal-safe recipe in seconds.
Perfect Substitutions Calculator: Get 2 to 4 safe alternatives for any mammalian ingredient, complete with precise replacement ratios and cooking tips so your dishes turn out perfect every time.
Ask the AGS Expert: Have a question about hidden additives, restaurant dining, medications, or personal care products? Get instant, trusted guidance from the dedicated AI Advisor.
Take the anxiety out of the kitchen and rediscover foods that heal and delight. 👉 Explore the AGS Recipe Finder for Free!
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2nd up: My Reading Journal (not the prettiest but extremely functional --->
Bring Your Digital Bookshelf to Life!
Transform the way you read with the ultimate digital companion for book lovers. Whether you're hitting personal reading goals, managing a family library, or looking for your next great escape, this interactive dashboard makes tracking your books effortless and fun.
Track Your Library: Easily organize your shelves into "Want to Read," "Currently Reading," and "Finished"—complete with personal star ratings and reviews.
Smash Your Goals: Set your annual reading targets and watch your automated progress bar fill up as you unlock fun milestone achievements.
AI Book Finder: Tell the built-in AI concierge your exact mood or favorite genres for instant, tailored book recommendations.
Explore RLB Designs: Browse a beautiful, integrated catalog of children’s books, coloring books, and clean-eating cookbooks perfect for your home or gifts.
Ready to level up your reading journey? 👉 Start Tracking for Free Today!
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Preserve Your Harvest, Track Your Pantry, and Master the Art of Canning!
Take the guesswork out of food preservation with your all-in-one digital homestead companion. Whether you’re a canning pro or just starting your journey to self-sufficiency, this tool helps you organize your pantry and ensure every jar is processed to perfection.
Batch & Pantry Tracker: Log every jar you put up! Keep a digital inventory of what’s in your pantry, when it was canned, and how many jars you have left so you never run out mid-winter.
Safety & Process Guide: Access a clear, searchable reference for canning times, pressure levels, and altitude adjustments to keep your family safe and your food shelf-stable.
Recipe Organizer: Store your favorite family recipes and canning experiments in one place. Never lose that "perfect dill pickle" ratio again!
Homestead Planning: Use the integrated tools to plan your garden harvest around your canning schedule, helping you manage your Simple Life Homestead with ease.
Don't let your hard work go to waste—keep your pantry organized and your harvests safe.
👉 Start Your Digital Canning Journal Today!
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4th up and last:
Grow Your Ultimate Organic Oasis with the Digital Garden Planner!
Turn your backyard into a thriving, chemical-free food source with this interactive gardening assistant from RLB Designs. Perfect for beginner gardeners and seasoned homesteaders alike, this tool takes the guesswork out of planting, maintaining, and harvesting your own organic produce.
Custom Planting Calendars: Instantly find the perfect sowing and transplanting dates tailored specifically to your local growing zone.
Companion Planting Guide: Learn exactly which crops love growing together (and which to keep apart) to naturally repel pests and maximize your harvest.
Organic Care & Troubleshooting: Access chemical-free strategies for building rich soil, managing pests safely, and keeping your garden vibrant and healthy.
Harvest & Yield Tracker: Keep tabs on what you plant, monitor your progress, and optimize your garden layout year after year for a continuous supply of fresh, nutrient-dense food.
Ready to dig in and watch your garden grow? 👉 Explore the Digital Garden Planner Now!