I reduced my dose of Prednisone on Thursday, and figured I had atleast 5 days before I started feeling yucky. Nope-by Saturday afternoon my feet were the size of snowshoes and my legs looked like tree trunks.  I was ready to pull the plug on Sunday’s Disneyland trip.  Sam talked some reason into me by saying: A) They park me on a bench for an hour as needed.  He knew I’d be content just sitting there people watching and being in the park.  B) They get me a wheelchair which I felt was the worst idea in the entire world.  He and Matt discussed it and decided I was going the wheelchair route which was the best decision.  I did do a smart thing and cut up the socks I was wearing to allow for the swelling, which really did help alot.

My wheelchair experience:  Matt had a blast pushing making car racing sounds and doing wheelies with me in it.  He kept trying to talk me into playing Chicken with the Clydesdales who pull the trolleys down Main Street.  I vetoed that idea but waved at all the horses.  We got to go through the exits to get on rides which made the wait time for us a little shorter.  The only ride I really had problems getting off of was Pirates of the Carribean which we started our day with and ended our day with.  The last time we rode it, Matt and Sam did have to lift me out of that boat.  The wheelchair also came with cupholders for everyone’s drinks on the back and a big pouch for purses, jackets, etc.  The boys said that from now on, I the designated wheelchair rider to enhance their Disneyland experience.  The look I gave them silenced them both.  I kept telling Matt that pushing me was good experience for the upcoming stroller pushing years for him.  Renting one really made sense and I couldn’t have lasted as long as I did without it.

Our day was absolutely wonderful!  Sam was hung over from the night before-I think he would have gratefully ridden with me in the chair.  Andie, the mother of the world’s best grandchild to be, was wonderful to have along.  I’m used to being with males only when we go.  She and I went into a princess gift shop with all kinds of frilly Disney princess dresses, sparkly shoes, and everything that goes along with that.  I couldn’t stop laughing at Matt as he and Sam followed us around.  I kept telling Matt that, if the baby is a girl, this is his future.  The look on his face was priceless.

We rode everything and had a blast!  They have brought back Captain EO with Michael Jackson in 3D.  Sam had been too young to see it when it first came in.  They redid Star Tours so its now 3D and totally amazing.  We sang our way through Pirates.  We screamed really loud on Pirates.  We rode Indiana Jones 3 times because we love it.  And when it got dark and all the sparkly lights came on, I had a kleenex moment in the privacy of the bathroom.  I hadn’t been there with both boys in atleast 15 years at the same time.  I haven’t looked at the pictures I took yet, but can’t wait to see the one she took of the boys and I together-truly the best day ever.  So much laughter and love and fun.  The boys and Andie really did everything they could to make it a special day for me (tearing up as I write this).

Today I’m sort of paying for all the fun but that’ okay.  I lay down and elevate my legs/feet for an hour and then do stuff for 30 minutes.  I’ve got plans for tomorrow and want to feel as good as I can.  The boys and I were both aware yesterday that 6 months ago we could have never imagined a day like yesterday, which made it all the more special.

*just blew nose*

Tomorrow I’m going to go get my ticket for the AMC Movie Showcase which I can’t wait for.  Then I’m taking off for an area close to the house called Old Town.  Lots of Mexican restaurants, wonderful little shops, lots of people-just the kind of place I love to go wander around on my own.  I have saved my double issue (Oscar Special) of Entertainment Weekly to read while I eat tacos.  Going by Target to pick up “Drive” on DVD and get a chair to sit outside in the sun in.  We’ve been having beautiful weather lately and I’d like to enjoy it.  Tomorrow night is “Glee” with the Michael Jackson tribute which I can’t wait to see.  Matt said he’d take me to play pool this week when I felt like it.

Next Monday is yucky procedure day, so I’m enjoying this week as much as possible.  Yesterday may be my last fun day out for a while.  But my determination to get off the Prednisone is my priority right now.  So I’ll ride it out.  The Disneyland tickets we got are for two days at either park to be used before June.  My next trip I plan to be skipping through the park-not being a two-wheeler!

*Update*

Just checked my facebook which I rarely use and don’t really understand it.  Andie posted a picture on my wall (I’m talking about stuff that I don’t understand) which I didn’t know she took.  It is typical of me and the boys.  Totally cracked me up!  I’m in the wheelchair shaking my finger at Matt (who is wearing a tank top so you can see all the tattoos) and Sam’s long hair is covering his face-he tells me its a rock star look-I can not stop laughing at it!

Today I’m going to share all the ridiculously happy stuff that is happening in the life of Leopardditz.  Mainly because its birthday week and I always go a little crazy this time each year.  I always feel that birthdays are something to be celebrated and this one if obviously going to be a very special one for me.  The magic all started yesterday…..

Took Matt’s dog, Buk, for a walk which takes us along a small little boat dock yesterday morning.  Sun was shining.  Buk had peed so much that he had nothing left but was still lifting the leg every 2 minutes which makes me laugh.  We were walking along, lost in our own happy thoughts and enjoying a beautiful, sunny day.  And then I heard a splash so we stopped to see what was going on.  A pod of 5 dolphins were frolicking in the water!  They were jumping and playing and it was so cool to see.  I went to stand next to a tree so Buk would have something to entertain himself while I watched.  It was almost like they came to wish me a happy birthday (or so I told myself).  I actually managed to get a 30 second video of it on my phone which is pretty funny.  I can hear myself shouting, “jump, jump” in the background.  They looked so beautiful glistening in the sunlight!

Came home to find a large box on the front porch addressed to Sam. Dragged it in the house and yelled, “the Coco Channel dress you got me for my birthday to wear to the Oscars just arrived!”  He came out to open the box doing it as slowly as possible, just to drive me crazy.  It was a beautiful purple electric guitar with a pearl inlay on it.  The really cool thing is that it is a couple of years older than he is.  Guitar count for Sam is now 8.  I once made the mistake of asking him how many electric guitars did he need as he could only play one at a time.  His reply?  ”And how many pair of leopard print shoes do you own considering you can only wear one pair at a time?”  Point taken.

I got on the computer to check movie times for “Man on a Ledge” which we decided to go see to celebrate the dolphins and the guitar and birthday week.  I thought I’d check the AMC movie website to see if there was any update about Movie Showcase.  There was and I calmly reacted by screaming in joy!  Then Sam informed me that he is buying my 60.00 ticket for my birthday!

This is my movie line-up for 2/18:  11am “War Horse”, 1:40pm “Moneyball”, 4:10pm “Tree of Life”, 7:30pm “The Descendents”. On 2/25:  ”11am Hugo 3D”, 1:20pm “the Help”, 4:00pm “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close”, 7:15pm “The Artist”, 9:05pm “Midnight in Paris”.  And then the Oscars are the next day.  And then I take a month break from anything movie related to become a sane person again-oh hell, who am I kidding?

The boys took me out last night to watch them shoot pool.  Since I now have new glasses I can see through, I actually played….and surprised them completely!  They had never seen me play pool before.  I take great satisfaction that I can still do something which makes their jaws hit the ground in shock and amazement.  Fortunately, it was one of those nights when the pool goods were with me.

Sam got his Van Halen concert tickets for June.  Matt got hired by DC to be the team manager for the BMX riders and also the photographer for all the rally car events.  We are going to Disneyland tomorrow.  

I laid in bed and cried some happy tears with the cats this morning.  Yes, there are times when life really sucks, but there are times when life is just one giant golden ticket.

*sigh*

The doctor is decreasing the Prednisone starting today.  I have 3 proceedures coming up over the next few months and need to be off of it.  I’m glad that (hopefully) I’ll be off of it in a month, but dread how I’m going to feel.  Atleast this time I know what to expect.  I walked for an hour today and will be doing the same the next two days.  Keeping my fingers crossed for feeling good on Sunday.  Picked up our Disneyland tickets today for Sunday.  Weather is suppose to be great-I’m excited just to be going again.  its been atleast 15 years since I’ve been there with both the boys at the same time.  Matt’s girlfriend is going with us.  They blow so hot and cold.  Now its more complicated with her being pregnant.  Since he is living at home and she is basically living with us in this small house, I feel that I have an unwanted front seat to their relationship ups and downs and I get a little weary of it at times.  But its officially birthday week time so I’m only focusing on good and happy things.

Thinking about venturing out to the movies tomorrow.  So much I want to see!  I also need to find out when the tickets go on sale for the AMC Movie Showcase where they show all the movies nominated for Best Picture.  If you had to ask me right now-Movie Showcase or Disneyland-I honestly am not sure which I’d choose, I dearly love them both.

Leon the Maine Coon cat went for his yearly check up yesterday and weighed in at 19.5 pounds-told him if times were tough come Thanksgiving, he could probably feed the 3 of us just fine.  Fortunately he is very healthy.  When we took my beloved Neko in, she ended up having to have 10 teeth pulled the day before Thanksgiving!  When Matt moved back in, he brought his 1/2 pug, 1/2 poodle, Buk, with him.  The dog has got the most marvelous underbite which we all imitate.  He has become my walking buddy.  Its nice to have a dog around again.

Sam came home from Anaheim.  He got to meet and spend time with the old guitarist from the band, Poison.  Sam is a huge admirer of his.  He and his friends are going to see Van Halen in June.  Matt and I laughed and said good luck with that.  Make sure you can get a refund if the band starts fighting and break up before they get here.  For Sam’s sake, I hope he does get to see them.  He thinks David Lee Roth is the world’s best frontman.  Me?  I’m a Motley Crue kind of girl.

The boys laugh when they look at my iPod.  Taylor Swift, 80′s music, Wu Tang Clan, I’m just sort of all over the radar with my music.  And yes, I’m proud to be a 53 year old little monster and am a huge fan of Lady Gaga!

My “to do” list today is huge and includes setting up a coffee maker for the boys who are coffee drinkers.  Beats them spending money on coffee every morning.  However, I’m in totally foreign territory-I’m a tea drinker for life.  It amazes me that, even though I don’t work, there is a ton of stuff around here for me to do on a daily basis to keep the house going.  But when I realize that six months ago my “to do” list was basically lay in a hospital bed in the livingroom and use a bed pan, I’m not kidding when I say I enjoy doing laundry, cleaning, cooking, etc. 

Off to see who will win, Mr. Coffee machine or me.  Why couldn’t they be tea drinkers????

*sigh*

The doctor is decreasing the Prednisone starting today.  I have 3 proceedures coming up over the next few months and need to be off of it.  I’m glad that (hopefully) I’ll be off of it in a month, but dread how I’m going to feel.  Atleast this time I know what to expect.  I walked for an hour today and will be doing the same the next two days.  Keeping my fingers crossed for feeling good on Sunday.  Picked up our Disneyland tickets today for Sunday.  Weather is suppose to be great-I’m excited just to be going again.  its been atleast 15 years since I’ve been there with both the boys at the same time.  Matt’s girlfriend is going with us.  They blow so hot and cold.  Now its more complicated with her being pregnant.  Since he is living at home and she is basically living with us in this small house, I feel that I have an unwanted front seat to their relationship ups and downs and I get a little weary of it at times.  But its officially birthday week time so I’m only focusing on good and happy things.

Thinking about venturing out to the movies tomorrow.  So much I want to see!  I also need to find out when the tickets go on sale for the AMC Movie Showcase where they show all the movies nominated for Best Picture.  If you had to ask me right now-Movie Showcase or Disneyland-I honestly am not sure which I’d choose, I dearly love them both.

Leon the Maine Coon cat went for his yearly check up yesterday and weighed in at 19.5 pounds-told him if times were tough come Thanksgiving, he could probably feed the 3 of us just fine.  Fortunately he is very healthy.  When we took my beloved Neko in, she ended up having to have 10 teeth pulled the day before Thanksgiving!  When Matt moved back in, he brought his 1/2 pug, 1/2 poodle, Buk, with him.  The dog has got the most marvelous underbite which we all imitate.  He has become my walking buddy.  Its nice to have a dog around again.

Sam came home from Anaheim.  He got to meet and spend time with the old guitarist from the band, Poison.  Sam is a huge admirer of his.  He and his friends are going to see Van Halen in June.  Matt and I laughed and said good luck with that.  Make sure you can get a refund if the band starts fighting and break up before they get here.  For Sam’s sake, I hope he does get to see them.  He thinks David Lee Roth is the world’s best frontman.  Me?  I’m a Motley Crue kind of girl.

The boys laugh when they look at my iPod.  Taylor Swift, 80′s music, Wu Tang Clan, I’m just sort of all over the radar with my music.  And yes, I’m proud to be a 53 year old little monster and am a huge fan of Lady Gaga!

My “to do” list today is huge and includes setting up a coffee maker for the boys who are coffee drinkers.  Beats them spending money on coffee every morning.  However, I’m in totally foreign territory-I’m a tea drinker for life.  It amazes me that, even though I don’t work, there is a ton of stuff around here for me to do on a daily basis to keep the house going.  But when I realize that six months ago my “to do” list was basically lay in a hospital bed in the livingroom and use a bed pan, I’m not kidding when I say I enjoy doing laundry, cleaning, cooking, etc. 

Off to see who will win, Mr. Coffee machine or me.  Why couldn’t they be tea drinkers????

On Twitter I follow “Disney Memories”.  Its quotes from different Disney movies over the years.  Some of those things contain a lot of simple wisdom that applies to my life.

Today is doctor day.  REALLY hoping for an adjustment (as in lowering or completely stopping) my medication.  But its also a good knee day, so a long walk is definitely on my “to do” list.

Also on today’s “to do” list-bag Leon’s poop.  He has a vet appointment for check-up/shots.  And I have to bring in, as they delicately call it, a “stool sample”.  To me its still poop in a ziplock.  That makes me think back to several months ago.  I had managed to clean the litterboxes and carried the bag out to the trash all by myself.  I yelled my accomplishment to Matt who said he had never seen my so excited about going out to the trash before.  But it was my first venture outside without the walker, and I was damned proud of myself.  

Today I’m also driving myself to my doctor appointment for the first time.  iPod is all charged up.  I do have to drive across a big bridge that spans the bay which I don’t like doing.  But today I’ll do it.  I’ve been driving again for about 2 months.  I would only do very local stuff until I got new glasses.

Ah yes-the new glasses.  Or, as I call them, those damned glasses.  I got progressive lenses for the first time and am trying to get used to them.  I can see far away, at arms length, and close up with them.  I have to admit it does make driving easier.  Before I couldn’t see the dashboard to see how fast I was going, so my basic rule of thumb was to keep up with the flow of traffic.  I no longer feel like a menace on the road anymore.

I’m still mulling over the Oscar noms.  I happened to start the book “Extremely Loud…” a couple of days ago.  Loving the book.  Had just finished “World War Z”.  Really looking forward to that movie!

Time for my doctor adventure.  Have told all 3 cats to keep their toes crossed for me!

just watched the Oscar noms live stream.  Most exciting thing-when I go to the AMC Movie Showcase, I’ll get to see 9 movie nominated for Best Picture.  Was worried they would only pick 5 this year.  So happy for Rooney Mara.  I’ve read the books, own all three of the Swedish versions of the movies, and loved the American remake.  Very happy for Gary Oldman, too.  Sam and I are going to see “Tinker, Tailor” next week.  (Though I still believe Gary Oldman’s best role was in the “Fifth Element” as the bad guy-goes to show just how old school I really am!)  Wish I could have seen the look on Melissa McCarthy’s face-she is amazing.  Of course, I could go on and on but will stop-very busy errand day today.

One piece of really excellent and totally rocking news:  Matt and his girlfriend announced that the four of us (including Sam) are going to Disneyland on Sunday to celebrate my birthday which is Tuesday and I have always felt should be declared a national holiday!  Complete surprise!!  Sam and I had been tenatively planning a trip getting the 2 day pass for Southern California residents.  But I wasn’t sure how I would do physically, especially if I was detoxing for that nasty medication that I’m on.  But between the two boys, they can help me off the rides which will be the biggest challenge for me.  I’m 80% sure I can handle all the walking.  I’m so excited!!!!!  Haven’t been able to go in a few years.

Tomorrow is doctor day and I’ll find out if I get off the Prednisone.  I’ve told both boys that, for the rest of my life, if a doctor wants to put me on it the answer is NO!  I’ve had every single side effect you can have from it.  Had another doctor tell me Friday its considered to be the heroin of the steroid family as far as getting off of it.  Unfortunately, I’ve been on it for 7 months now.  I tried to get off it just before Christmas, but ended up back on it so I could make Christmas as nice as possible for the boys.  At least I now know what to expect when I go off of it.  Sleeping all the time, legs the size of tree trunks, feet the size of snowshoes, and lots of pain.  Since my dose has been lowered, I’m having a lot of pain in my knees and hands.  But I’m determined to get off of it.  With the shape I’m in right now, hands wise, there is no way that I could hold my first grandchild come 8/21 and I’m not going to miss that!  

Still a little rocky about discussing the hospital experience.  Will tell you one thing, when a doctor in July tells you that you won’t make it past September, it sort of makes you rethink all your life’s priorities.  Everyday I wake up realizing that I’m not suppose to be here.  I cry easily about the whole thing, but the important thing that I try to remain focused on is that I AM STILL HERE!  I’m hoping that blogging about it a little each day will help me.

In my typical fashion, I tried to find the humor in the situation when I came home from the hospital.  It was how the boys and I coped with a very scary thing.  My bed pan we ended up calling my chamber pot.  When I was able to get into a wheelchair and get around the house, I learned how to effectively “sling shot” my way down the hall.  One night I thought I’d lay out my clothes for the next day and ended up stuck in my walk-in closet for 30 minutes.  You know how your car can get boxed in when you parallel park and you can only move an inch or two at a time?  That was me in the wheelchair.  If Matt was taking me out for a drive, first he would race me around in the wheelchair in the cul de sac doing BMX bike tricks.  He kept talking about me entering the X Games.  And I’m proud to say that I never ran over any of the cats with the wheelchair!

Then there are the moments of the first time I used the walker outside and felt the sun on my face.  Or the joy of sitting on my toilet for the first time in months without the commode.  Peeing has never been more satisfying.

I’m up and doing my usual stuff again.  Main problem is getting off a medication they put me on which has a very nasty withdrawal.  I’m trying to go for long walks several times a week-Sam and I are talking Disneyland (someplace I never thought I’d get to see again).  Okay, enough about that stuff for now.

Today is going to be a very long day for me.  I have turned into a complete movie fanatic.  I subscribe to Entertainment Weekly and the Hollywood Report.  Follow movie industry people on Twitter.  I can tell you what movie will take the box office by Saturday based on how I track it Friday and Saturday.  I now know about how states negotiate with the movie people to get them to film there.  I also know that the qualification for foreign films to be nominated for an Oscar needs to be completely revamped.

The boys are seriously looking forward to 2/27 when the Oscars are over and I stop quoting statistics like 68% of the winners of Golden Globes go on to win Oscars.

Nominations will be announced tomorrow at 5:30am my time.  On the 27th I will go pick up my ticket for AMC Movie Showcase where I get to see all the movies nominated for Best Picture for $60.  Quite a deal for 10 very high quality movies and I’m with people who love movies as much as I do.

I saw “Iron Lady” and “J Edgar” and loved each one.  Can’t track down “The Descendents” anywhere in my county.  Not sure if I want to see “The Artist” or not.  ”The Help” was simply amazing.  What a lot of people don’t know if the back story of how that movie got made-there should be a movie about that.  Okay, enough about movies.  I’m beginning to bore myself.

Sam is up in Anaheim doing some guitar seminar today.  Matt is shooting BMX riders today.  Matt actually got to go shoot the XGames this summer and texted me pictures the whole time!  Its rare that I have the house to myself as they both pretty much work out of the house.  I now have film in my refridgerator.  It was also weird seeing Sam play live the first time.  I’m used to being in the house while he practices with his door shut.  I couldn’t stop laughing when one day I was folding laundry in my bedroom while listening to “Free Bird” by Lynnard Skynnard really loud.  He threw open his door, turned up his amp, and played right along with it.  ”Free Bird” isn’t part of the set list yet for his band, just “Sweet Home Alabama”.  I would like to make some changes in the set list, but the other guitarist is also a professional wrestler and big enough that I wouldn’t like to argue music with him.

Damn but it feels good to blog again!

Yes, I have resurfaced.  I’ve missed Xanga.  It was, remarkably, one of my private places where I could say stuff.  Readers Digest condensed version.  I’ve been off hospice care for 2 months.  My expiration date was in September.  Sorry if I sound rather callous about it, but when you have been told you are dying and then beat all the odds, well-it happens.  Sam has become a rock star and is touring in March.  I got to see him play live last month.  I went all mom and cried during his first song and then rocked out to the rest.  Matt has is becoming a famous photographer.  Shooting a spread for a UK mag next month and has a couple of buses in Newport Beach driving around with his pictures on it.  Plus, I was told 12/27 I was going to become a grandmother in August.  Sometimes life happens too fast for me.  But I’m in the middle of Oscar season-my Super Bowl-and am back with a vengence.  I’m afraid my twitter followers now hate all the movie statistics I post.  On the very up side, Sam and I are planning a 2 day Disneyland trip in the next couple of months.  I’m very excited!  I never thought I would see that place again.  I’m trying to walk 45 minutes a day to build up my strength.  And to think I used to hike mountains…but I plan to be back to that within a year….

…or less.

Still love my pets and talk to them all the time-they don’t talk back like the boys do.  Keep wondering if when the boys are 45 and 40, will I still call them “boys”? (probably).  My dvd continues to grow. This is my birthday month, so I bought myself pink sequin tennis shoes at Target today-when you turn 54 at the end of the month, don’t you deserve sparkly shoes???