The new definition of torture is watching Food Network all day during the holidays while living in a diet-restricted hospital room. I know I should stop, but I can’t help myself. On top of that all of the magazines I am reading are filled with full-color photos of healthy, beautiful foods. The dietician came to check on me this morning and see if I was finding stuff to eat. I kindly explained that it wasn’t the easiest thing for me. She did say that it was okay for me to eat fresh fruits and vegetables prepared by the kitchen because they would be sure to wash them carefully. So starting tomorrow, I will be adding some iceberg lettuce salads to repertoire. I actually felt bad because the dietician clearly was disappointed in the offerings that she has. She admitted that the vegetables have almost no nutritional value because they are cooked to mush. I swear that it will be part of my mission (when I am finished with all of this) to come back and change the way meals are prepared in the hospital.

Moving on from food, today was an okay day. I am still dealing with some nausea issues and made the mistake of taking the same medication I took a few days ago (before radiation) that completely wiped me out. It took the nauseau away, but I could hardly move for a good part of the day. They’re also adjusting all of my medication levels and I still feel very “off.” My head feels spacey, my vision seems a little blurry, some headaches, etc. I’m getting through but I’m finding it hard to concentrate when I read so I end up watching more Food Network. I thought I was going to read so many books while I was here and I haven’t even cracked the first one yet.

The good news is that my counts finally took a big drop today so I’m hoping that I will be bottoming out soon. My nurses all seem very optimistic that I could make it home by Christmas. But no one wants to set me up for disappointment so we’re just taking things day by day. In my heart I feel like it could happen.

I had another great visit with Roseann tonight and a big surprise visit from Amanda. Everyone wants to see me looking like a marshmallow! Unfortunately for them, I’m starting to deflate a little (but yeah for me!).

Okay, so Melly said she loves my lists so I thought I would make a point of writing one every couple of days. Here’s the one for today:

Food I Am Craving …

1. Pizza

2. Sushi

3. Chickpea Salad

4. Guacamole

5. Salmon

6. Ravioli

7. Spinach salad with goat cheese, apples and walnuts

8. Cheesecake

9. Cheese

10. More cheese!