College Take 5

I have a feeling that those interested in reading my posts are going to be in luck this semester, since I would much rather write here and I have a lot of papers to put off!  As you may have gathered I am back in school!

Since my last post, I have quit my job, packed up my life and moved away.  I left beautiful cool Colorado for probably the closest thing to hell on earth (or at least in the United States), Phoenix Arizona.  I actually do like Phoenix quite a bit it is just rough for now as the summer finishes off, then I'll be down here swimming outside in December while my Colorado peeps are living in a slightly colder hell of their own.  This is my first time to experience the Phoenix heat and well yeah... its hot.  I am literally drenched when I go places more often than not and tend to stay inside most of the time. The necessity of trips to the store are questioned more and Pepper is adjusting to her new very limited (twice a day) access to the outdoors.  Other than that the heat isn't too bad and on occasion, after being thoroughly chilled by the lovely and necessary AC, I have been seen sitting at an outside table enjoying a fry or 2 (or 1000, freshmen 15 here I come!)

Pepper is settling in though I don't think she is a huge fan of school life.  I think she misses her freedom and her buddy, my parents dog, Walter.  However she is easily the most popular creature on this campus and would give even the most famous celebrity a run for their money.  I am simply the invisible and irrelevant person who holds the other end of the leash, plus I give her food.  Actually today I came home to discover I am not really needed for that either.  She had jumped up on my shelf, pulled down the bin that holds her food, pulled open the lid and helped herself to breakfast and then some!

The biggest shock of all to me is the amount of damage my brain seems to have had over the years.  It is just not what it used to be.  I can imagine this is how a person who goes back to school in late adulthood feels, only I'm 23 not 43.  I am hoping it improves as I get further and further out from chemo but I have heard that my anti-rejection medication has the same effect so I am guessing the memory loss is here to stay.

I have also found that I am pretty much done with school.  There is a reason why most people only go for four years.  The worst part is that I still have no idea what it is I really want to do after, at least job wise, and so I lack real motivation to get my schooling done and the idea of quitting seems kind of appealing.  Any job ideas?  Keep in mind I am immunocompromised, so things like pediatric ER doctor are kinda out.

School stuff aside my latest mission is to find myself some more friends and to expand my Arizonian social circle.  Of course finding a boy would not hurt either.  I am after all 23 and I have been single my entire life! Yes I know that is slightly shocking.  I am however currently taking applications in this department and decided to add to Pepper's skill set to run up to guys on command and lick them or something to initiate a conversation!  Ok all joking aside I really do need to make some more friends and am thinking about starting a gaming (board, cards, etc.) on campus.

Alright enough procrastination for one day.  I've got a paper to write (yes already!)

These two hooligans chillin' in a box while I unpack

My room

More of my room and Pepper's perch

Pepper's new favorite

A Message from Bubble Girl

Dear Fellow Humans!

  The weather is starting to turn cold, the trees are bursting with color and pumpkin everything fills shop shelves and bakery counters.  It is fall once again and with this lovely time of year comes the not so lovely flu.  Unfortunately for my fellow immunocompromised peeps and me, this time of year often becomes the time we retreat back into our safe cocoons of sick-free-ness.  This year lets change that!

We can all do our part to not only help to keep immunocompromised people safe but to also help reduce the spread of flu to everyone.  (not to mention all the stuff about Ebola in the news)  It is time to make a few simple changes to our habits to help make everyone healthier.

All it takes are three easy steps!

1.  Get your flu shot. 

    Yes I know there is all sorts of controversy about vaccines but the thing is we are healthier now    then before them and many disease have been almost eliminated because of vaccines.  So go get your flu shot to help protect yourself and people you may come in contact with that can't get a flu shot.  (people like me with such a low immune system)  Some people claim (my old self included) that the flu shot gives them the flu.  This is not actually true, what happens is if your body is fighting something when you get the shot, that bacteria that is alive is able to grow slightly out of control while your body fights off the dead flu virus.  To prevent this get your shot when you are totally healthy and not fighting anything off.

2. Wash you hands!

   This is the number one way to prevent the spread of disease.  Every time you go to the bathroom be sure to wash those hands!  (It seems like I shouldn't need to say this but go check out a public restroom its amazing how many people don't wash their hands!)  Also wash those digits anytime you cough or sneeze or blow your nose.  And please throw that used tissue away, it is nothing but a germ fest and a box of tissues is much cheeper than a hospital stay, there is no need to save it.  

3. Stay home when you are sick!

   This is probably the hardest to follow.  In our society you are expected to go go go, well lets work together and change this.  Not only will staying home and resting help you get better faster it will also help prevent you from giving your sick to someone else.  If you are a boss, don't make it so hard for employees to take a sick day.  A teacher?  Help your students to catch up when they get back rather than making them feel like they can't miss a day.  We really need some serious overhaul in this department!  If you must go out when you are sick be sure to follow rule number 2 (wash your hands a lot) and wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.  

Lets all do our part this winter to make this winter the best one yet!  Until things start to change I'll be in my bubble, avoiding crowds and groups of notoriously sick people (kids, college students etc.)

Thanks,

Anna