January 7, 2014 - And a New Year Begins!

Finally, a much belated update - after a busy, tiring, yucky, wonderful holiday and beginning to this new year!   My family all made it safely back to their respective homes and I made it to Providence and my much awaited bed at the Biltmore.  Then, we began the most difficult schedule of shows yet - because of the holiday days off, etc.  Now we are back to a regular schedule and the cast is very happy about that - phew!

Providence has been lovely - but snowy and hard to navigate - so I haven't explored as much as I would have liked.   My dear friend and old college roomy from Shreveport Denise Dion and her husband Shawn came to visit his family not far from here - so I was treated to some visits and play time with them!   We toured the amazing Breakers house in Newport - jaw dropping opulence - and such an interesting flash back to such a different time.

Earlier that day - the cast had a "dog party" to unite all pet owners for a playmate - and to let us non-pet owners receive and give some puppy love!   Denise and Shawn brought their dog "Lulabelle" to join in the festivities.  

New Years Eve was a day full of work for Wicked with two shows scheduled.  I was surprised with an award from Jason Daunter (Stage Manager) for being the "Strongest Person in 2013" - cover your kids ears - for being "One Strong Motherfucker"!

Medical update:

After my final full head radiation - the side effects became increasingly worse.  While having lunch with my niece Megan,  I had to run to the restroom for a surprise vomit explosion!  I'm glad I made it out of the restaurant in time…. 

My brain is scrambled and I've lost all sense of direction.  I walk out of the hotel or theatre and inevitabley walk the wrong direction.   I look at the tag in my shirts and still put them on backwards.  I've almost forgotten to put my wig on before going onstage during the show (thank you dresser Patti for saving me on that one!)  I've gone to the right room but the wrong floor at the hotel and had to go down to the front desk and tell them my key wasn't working - and they asked my name - and I found out I was on the wrong floor.   But the best example of my addled brain is what I said at an event the other night - My friend Kevin McMahon was saying to a guest - " I think I'll just walk home and not take the trolley".  The guest said - "I don't think that's a good idea - it is quite a long walk!"  Then I said - "You don't know this man - he runs 401ks!"   

 Besides having a completely round and puffed up face like a "Moonpie" (who remembers these?) - because of the steroids I'm taking to relieve swelling in my brain,

the skin on my head and ears has started to look like the surface of the moon - and is bright red and peeling and melting off.  The ears have been the worse - so painful to the touch and bleeding.  I took a pic of it all but decided not to share - too alarming!   My wardrobe people completed a fabulous turban to cover my bald head and not be to painful - plus, hair pins have become like little knives when they touch my skin.  And they added hair so it looks like my original costume design.  They are the greatest miracle workers!

Before

After

Neosporin with pain relief gel has been saving me each night during the show.  Our makeup miracle worker, Christina, did some research about creams and gels that might help and she told me about Emu oil.   Yes, you read that right - Emu (the animal) oil helps with scars and burns!  So I ordered some with  cooling Aloe and it feels really nice and soothing.  I'll give you a review after I use it for a while.

Last monday was my scheduled chemo appointment back in Chicago - and I still can't believe I made it there and back despite all the cancellations and extreme weather conditions!  The travel gods were definitely with me and I made it back to Providence around 3AM.  I was visited by the acupuncturist while getting chemo and had a great session to try and help with the side effects.  She will visit me during my next treatment - which makes me very happy.  

Everything except the hospital were closed in Chicago so after my treatment, I just taxied back to the airport to wait for my delayed flight.  

I took this photo on the plane - my thumb (and I) are suffering from extreme neuropathy and it is extremely angry!   It's almost like it is trying to get the poisons out of my body by swelling up, then opening up with painful blisters and bleeding.  

As of today, the head and ear reactions are much, much better - and I'm not feeling too badly after the chemo so far.  Doctor says my blood tests are good - so we will continue and get a scan after my next treatment to track my progress.  I'll fly back to Chicago from Pittsburgh on Jan 27 for the next one.