December 2, 2013

Here at the hospital (Northwestern) in downtown Chicago - it's really a whole city in itself!   There are restaurants, drugstores, coffee shops, gift shops, and lots of areas to hang out and chill with your peeps or computer.   I'm having a protein shake for lunch - food doesn't taste very good so eating a few bites is all I can manage.  Believe it or not - Diet Coke makes me want to hurl!  I know - it's for the best anyway…  My dear friend Kevin McMahon has been my "knight in shining red car - with his trusty side-kick Seamus" - giving me rides to and from the hospital when he can!

The weekend was a blur - after Thanksgiving  - we had to power through shows to make up for the day off  - and by sunday - we were completely worn out.   I felt much better sunday - than any other day that week - fatigue, nausea, nose bleeds, light-headedness, sore throat, and joint pain are my companions.  They've given me lots of drugs to try and help - but some make it very difficult to still do my job!   So I'm weeding them out and experimenting to find the best solutions for now.  I joined some cast members sunday night to see the musical Elf that was playing near by - and we hung out with some of their cast members afterwards to lament about the crazy life on an Equity tour!   Those poor dancers had to dance on their knees to be elves and we all felt very sorry for them!  But the show was cute and a nice holiday experience.

Drive-by hugging from Pamela!

Hair is getting thin already - so I'm doing my best to enjoy my fluffy short hair as long as I can.  I've brought some wigs from home (LA) and I'm having the wig experts wash and style them for me.  I'm on the lookout for a short style that will feel normal for day to day.  This week is busy with rehearsals for our Wicked Night Before Christmas fundraiser on sunday.  We've also got a karaoke fundraiser night planned tonight - with an auction for some Wicked special memorabilia.  I've said I will be there - but I'm going to see how I feel later in the day.  I definitely don't want to wear myself out before this crazy week ahead.

My dear friend Grant is coming to visit!  I haven't seen him in so many years - wow - I can't believe how long.  He was in Romania with the Peace Corps for the past 2 years and I'm so glad we can reconnect and catch up about all that has happened in our lives!   I just have a studio apartment with one bed - so I'm going to set Grant up in my large walk-in closet with an air mattress.  Sounds terribly cruel - but he will have his own space with a door and lights and can use the bath and kitchen and front door without having to disturb me - plus he is a terrible snorer!  I think he will like the set up…

I've got an appointment now with an acupuncturist who can help with my side effects - so I'm going to check out the train or bus route to get there.  I'm such a big city girl now - taking mass transit and taxis to get around the city.  The weather is warmer (early 40's) today which is much more comfortable while walking the streets.